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Soap bars -going back in time

(171 Posts)
suzied Fri 22-Jun-18 06:38:16

In an effort to reduce plastic I’ve started using old fashioned soap bars again rather than shower gels and liquid hand washes, and what a revelation. I’m using an olive oil soap in the shower I bought back from Greece and it definitely leaves my skin softer. ( plus it lasts for ages). I love smelling all those artisan soaps you see in farmers markets and I like the idea of fewer harsh chemicals on the skin. Does anyone have a favourite soap? Whats the best soap dish to stop it all going manky by the sink?

DanniRae Fri 22-Jun-18 16:23:59

For cleaning the toilet bowl of 'extras' I use a product that is basically a wodge of paper, with a toilet cleaner already added to it. You then have a handle with a gripper on the end that you put the paper in - clean the problem away and release the paper into the toilet. Job done!

Anniebach Fri 22-Jun-18 16:01:35

I use Johnson baby soap, every time I remember bathing my babies ?

Stella14 Fri 22-Jun-18 15:00:49

We also started using soap bars again in the interest of the environment. I do keep a liquid soap in the downstairs loo since strangers (clients come to the house) will use it, for hygiene purposes. Also, I used to use bleach in the toilets days, sometimes more thn that if there was ‘a little something’ to deal with, as I wince at the very idea of a brush for the toilet, with all of the areas that ‘trap’. Then I discovered these toilet blades www.amazon.co.uk/Century-Toilet-without-Bristles-Brushes/dp/B00IYNLG7Q/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=toilet+brushes+blade&tag=gransnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1529675808&sr=8-1 They are amazing. Nothing clings to them! So now I can use bleach jus5 occasionally. Also, I needed a funnel for bird seed. Hubby said instead of buying one, we should just cut the head of a bottle. Works like a dream. We’re on a roll!

Misha14 Fri 22-Jun-18 14:54:48

Instead of a soap dish I use a small china dish with pebbles in it. The water drains to the bottom, the soap stays dry. Need cleaning out regularly, but no plastic and should, failing breakages last for ever.

lollee Fri 22-Jun-18 14:50:26

Have used soap for a long time (simple soap) as I find gels and shower creams never seem to feel 'rinsed off' and leave a slimy feel to my skin. The soap doesn't. It is very difficult to think of ways not to use plastic, it is so integral to life in this day and age.

Dogsjj Fri 22-Jun-18 14:36:24

We use Simple soap, available in most Supermarkets. We have a Magnet soap holder, one part is screwed to the wall and I put a small magnet in the soap. Most Ironmongers seem to stock this. It's avoids most of the mess.
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Dogsjj Fri 22-Jun-18 14:35:38

We use Simple soap, available in most Supermarkets. We have a Magnet soap holder, one part is screwed to the wall and I put a small magnet in the soap. Most Ironmongers seem to stock this. It's avoids most of the mess.

Dogsjj Fri 22-Jun-18 14:32:20

We use Simple soap, available in most Supermarkets. We have a magnet fixing, it's screwed to the wall and I put a small magnet in the soap - it works well.

seemercloud Fri 22-Jun-18 14:26:24

Try putting 2 rubber bands around your soap dish and 'balancing' the soap on top. Not very elegant but the soap dries well, never soggy.

stevej4491 Fri 22-Jun-18 14:25:21

Pittcity was it Shield soap?

Sheilasue Fri 22-Jun-18 14:19:49

That’s got me thinking now have a bar of soap my d brought me back from Marrakesh wonder what that could be like. Will give it a try. You can also get shampoo in bars now too.
We have bars of dove soap but it’s no good for my skin makes me itch.

lemongrove Fri 22-Jun-18 14:08:58

Luzdoh grin are you a secret soap sniffer? Must admit, I am, and often sniff soaps in friends houses trying to recognise the scent.

luzdoh Fri 22-Jun-18 14:03:00

lemongrove I adore Wrights Coal Tar!!!!

luzdoh Fri 22-Jun-18 14:00:31

suzied just wanted to say how muchI adore real soap bars too. I'm sure we wash our hands more thoroughly with them. However, I have had a very small wash basin installed in my upstairs loo and using soap bars causes it to block up so much more quickly. Ah well...

Sorry, but I've tried a lot of ideas for a soap dish and always go back to simply placing soap directly on the side of the basin and regularly cleaning off the marks! Sorry I'm not much help.

lemongrove Fri 22-Jun-18 13:39:53

We always have some soap bars on the go, as well as handwash , Wrights Coal Tar soap is excellent for any sensitive skin or dry skin conditions ( eczema or psoriasis) etc.I have always had some Imperial Leather soap as well,
Love the fragrance and the soap never goes soft.I also like the soaps that garden centres sell and find I hardly need handcream now, after using them.
A shallow soap dish is the answer ( to keep soap from going gungy). I still like a bottle of hand-wash in the cloakroom though and also the kitchen, Sainsbury own ones are very good.

harrigran Fri 22-Jun-18 12:58:54

suzied I use L'Occitane and buy it at Debenhams or John Lewis when they have their special offers. I also have Roger & Gallet, given as gifts, but believe L'Occitane to be better. I don't use a soap dish, I tend to just pop it on top of my flannel.

mimiro Fri 22-Jun-18 12:52:35

lindylou and others camay is still made and sold in stores in usa
ebay and amazon both have it,maybe a vendor in uk is selling on them?
just checked amazon uk has it.

Nanabilly Fri 22-Jun-18 12:49:59

I love Roger and Gallet soaps and also l'occitane too but the best I've ever had is from Greece ,made using olive oil and even nicer if you can find one that is scented with Jasmine too but you have to scout round for that one .
The most expensive bar of soap I have had cost £16 about 10 years ago and was coco chanel and it was beautiful and lasted ages.

leeds22 Fri 22-Jun-18 12:48:46

I've never stopped using soap, usually Dove and when the shower gel stockpile runs out DH will be on block soap too. Use soap powder in the washing machine too. Would love to try the block shampoo but LUSH sets my hay fever off just walking past the shop. Does anyone else make it?

Fennel Fri 22-Jun-18 12:48:41

blush - plastic containers?

Lancslass1 Fri 22-Jun-18 12:36:59

I used to love the smell of coal tar soap and lifebuoy.

Lancslass1 Fri 22-Jun-18 12:33:09

I use Sanctuary salt scrub bar in the shower (sometimes it is on a 3 for 2 offer) .
Great.
It lasts a long time.
Pears soap has a lovely smell to it -nostalgia.
I once met Miss Camay 1960 -or maybe 1958 -at a function.
She still looked good

Twopence Fri 22-Jun-18 12:31:16

Interesting post. We are now going to try using soap now as the plastic outlet pipe in the shower seems to be deteriorating and I'm wondering if it's the shower gel we're using.
On the subject of soap I remember that Grandma always used a dark green type, think it was Cuticura.

DeeDee97 Fri 22-Jun-18 12:17:06

I’ve been trying to cut down on my plastic consumption as well. I’ve been using soap bars for my hair too, and buy from a company called Funky Soap, as well as The Body Shop.
I use a bamboo toothbrush now, an old fashioned safety razor, and bamboo, metal and paper straws.
I always buy my soaps from companies that don’t test on animals...sadly some of the soaps others have mentioned do still test on animals ?

shysal Fri 22-Jun-18 11:57:26

I tried an expensive shampoo bar (forget the brand), but my hair felt like straw after using it, so went back to Dove shampoo, alas in a plastic bottle.