*1st hadith*: ---- This hadith can be found in Sunan Abu Dawud, under the chapter "Washing the hands before eating (12)": >Narrated Salman al-Farsi: I read in the Torah that the blessing of food consists in ablution before it. So I mentioned it to the Prophet (ﷺ). He said: The blessing of food consists in ablution before it and ablution after it. Sufyan disapproved of performing ablution before taking food. [Sunan Abu Dawud - sunnah.com][1] **Abu Dawud and Albani said this hadith is weak.** *2nd Hadith*: ---- This hadith can be found in Sunan Ibn Majah, under the Chapters on Food: >Kathir bin Sulaim narrated that he heard Anas bin Malik say: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever would like Allah to increase the goodness of his house, should perform ablution (wash hands) when his breakfast is brought to him and when it is taken away.’" [Sunan Ibn Majjah - sunnah.com][2]. **Also classified as a weak hadith, according to Darussalam** ------ Although these hadiths are weak, it is OK to follow them since they are considered [Fada'el al A'amal (فضائل الأعمال)](http://islam.stackexchange.com/questions/13272/what-does-fazail-e-amaal-mean). Also, as there was no mention of soap, you are free to use whichever material helps clean your hands. [1]: http://sunnah.com/abudawud/28/26 [2]: http://sunnah.com/urn/1333850