Does anyone have any good ideas for what to do with those bits of bar soap that are left over when they're small and otherwise unuseable in the shower? I kind of hate the thought of throwing them out if there is some cool thing I can do with them, like turn them into liquid hand soap or something. Any suggestions or ideas?
Thank you moms for all your advice! Once I read these ideas, I almost literally smacked my forehead and said "DUH!" It just goes to prove that two heads (or a few hundred) are better than one. I especially like the idea of creating a little soap bag for the bits - I can just take a washcloth, fold it in half, sew up the sides, and add a drawstring in the top! Voila! Hmm, I think I just got a Christmas stocking stuffer idea... :)
You can dry out the little bits and put them in an old piece of panty hose leg, knot the top, and use as a potpouri bag for a drawer or closet, or wet use like a loofah in the shower.
Hi Christina, When mine's getting small, I get out a new bar, wet the old one at the beginning of my shower, use the new one for my shower, then smash them together at the end of my shower. It doesn't work unless I know I'm going to be the last showerer of the day, and, for some reason, my husband and 2 boys haven't figured this out yet! If it doesn't work the first time, I just keep doing it 'til it does, because they won't! I am also the only toilet roll and paper towel roll changer and garbage bag 'put-ter in-ner'!!! Laurie E.
I don't sew, but my mom used to. She would always use those leftover bar soap bits (on washable fabrics) to mark hem lines, or where she was going to take a garmet in.
This was years ago, but I remember seeing a sponge with a pocket for soap shards in one of those magazine catalogs that has all sorts of interesting odds and ends. Harriet Carter might be one of the catalogs that has them. I think the sponge was called a soap saver sponge or something. The idea was to put the soap shards in it, then wash with the sponge, which would get nice and lathery after you wet it. You may be able to find something like that on an internet search.
I do the lather the bar and put them together most of the time. One other thing is simply put them into a hand pump bottle with water, you don't have to melt them any way special, just let them sit in the bottle. I found the idea in a book many years ago, sorry I don't remember which one and I know when I was selling Tupperware way back when it was something that was suggested as saving money tips and gift ideas.
Good luck
Chelle
I do the same thing as Laura E. Just make sure to lather up the new bar, get the old one wet..and press them together. works better on the side of the new bar that has the logo in it, or if it is shaped with a "dent"... I've never had a problem with soap bits!
Instructions Difficulty: Easy
Things You’ll Need:
A bar of soap
A liquid hand soap dispenser
1 large cooking pot
1 smaller cooking pot
Water (preferably distilled but not required)
Measuring cup
Funnel
Cutting board
Knife or cheese grater
Step1Fill the large pot with water and heat gently. Do not bring to a rolling boil. The water only needs to be very hot, not boiling.
Step2Grate your bar of soap (preferred) or cut into very small cubes.
Step3Measure the grated or cubed soap in the measuring cup, then place the soap into the small pot.
Step4Add an amount of water to the pot which is equal to the amount of soap you've just added.
Step5Float the smaller pot in the large pot of hot water.
Step6Stir your soap and water mixture constantly until all the soap has melted and the mixture forms a liquid hand soap consistency.
Step7Allow the mixture to cool slightly before pouring it through a funnel into your hand soap dispenser. Make sure there are no chunks of soap in the mixture, or it might get stuck in the pump.
Step8If the soap is too thick, add more hot water until it reaches the desired consistency.
