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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?

Juggernaut Fri 22-Jun-18 11:57:05

I use the 'Godiva' shampoo bar and 'Jungle' solid conditioner from Lush, and my hair's in fabulous condition, even being washed and blow dried every day!
Also, their 'Rock Star' soap is, or was lovely, they've recently changed the formula and I'm not as keen on it now.
I can also recommend 'Volcano' foot mask, also from Lush, it works wonders on my sore and aching tootsies after days of running around after DGS!

Fennel Fri 22-Jun-18 11:47:48

ps My Mum never used soap, only water. And I rarely use it, apart from shampoo.

Fennel Fri 22-Jun-18 11:46:58

Sorry to say I didn't know that shower gels and liquid hand washes were plastic.
What about laundry detergents?
I still use bar soap - got some coal tar and dove at the moment. And we used to use Carrefour's Nectar of Nature range. Also savon de Marseille whatever that's made of.

JanaNana Fri 22-Jun-18 11:43:16

T K Maxx do a lovely range of soaps, quite large size bars too. Discovered these recently when in the queue to pay the soaps were all in the area near the tills. Used to use Pears soap for years until it changed the original formula a few years ago. I read a newspaper article about someone who was devastated Pears were changing some of the ingredients, that this person scoured the country buying up the "original Pears soaps" before they completely disappeared of the shelves. I think it now uses palm oil to replace what was in its original formula. I have tried it and although it still has the lovely fragrance it is not the same as before. I now use Arran Aromatics, a Scottish made soap, and have one of their wooden grooved soap trays which stops the soap becoming too sticky.

suzied Fri 22-Jun-18 11:41:19

I’m using the olive oil soap I bought in Greece and my elbows and heels are much softer and no dry skin. I wouldn’t say it has a fantastic lather and I’ve got soft water, but it goes on like a cream. I’ve stopped using body lotion as well. It’s a win-win.

HannahLoisLuke Fri 22-Jun-18 11:36:58

After reading these posts I'm going to unwrap and use some of the lovely soaps I've got stashed away.
While on this no plastic thread has anybody tried bar shampoo and conditioner?

oldgaijin Fri 22-Jun-18 11:27:24

When my Mother lived in Spain, she sent me 'Maja' soap, delicious and full of olive oil. Now, any lemon scented soap is perfect.

grannyactivist Fri 22-Jun-18 11:20:06

The Wonderful man always uses a bar of soap and has two favourites; Cyclists Soap and Wright’s Coal Tar. In the loo used by visitors I have a liquid soap and a bar of Imperial Leather.
I was gifted an enormous box of beautifully fragrant French soaps the Christmas before last and store a bar in each of my bedroom drawers, my undies and nightclothes smell lovely. I also buy Olive Oil soaps when I'm in Greece.
When my youngest son was in his teens he was a keen potter and made me several very pretty glazed soap dishes.

Pittcity Fri 22-Jun-18 11:11:01

Thanks all for remembering Shield. Surely all soaps are deodorising! ?

HootyMcOwlface Fri 22-Jun-18 11:00:40

Mum always had Sunlight soap in the kitchen for washing up and Lux in the bathroom. No bottles of washing up liquid, shampoo or shower gel when I was growing up!

Soap bars here cause such a lot of scum - I expect it is because we have very hard water?

goldengirl Fri 22-Jun-18 10:59:10

I love Imperial Leather but my DiL bought me some soap from LUSH. It's wonderful. I'm using up all my liquid soap with the aim of going back to bars - the 'olden' days are returning!! grin

Mogsmaw Fri 22-Jun-18 10:59:08

I use beautiful handmade soap I got from Etsy. I promoted my husband to get me a box of three fabulously scented bars for my Christmas. I cut them in half so I can swap fragrance more often. I’m on my second half , so four to go and it’s june! My skin has never been better. I can’t think how many plastic bottles of body wash I’d have use.
It’s defiantly worth spending on an artisan product as it really could be the thrifty and eco choice

Margs Fri 22-Jun-18 10:58:10

Definitely Pears Soap - it's a lovely golden amber colour and has a no-nonsense smell. It's almost too nice to use!

Beacon61 Fri 22-Jun-18 10:55:53

The best way to stop soap bars going soft and mushy, is to stand them on the bristles of an upturned nail brush smile

Nanny41 Fri 22-Jun-18 10:55:37

I use Pears soap, also Palmolive, but must admit we do have liquid soap for anyone having a phobia about bacteria.
I am glad bars of soap are back again.

Daftnan Fri 22-Jun-18 10:52:34

Also remember Cadam-for madam, but do agree that Pears used to be bigger. Would love to try the olive oil soap, where is the best place to get it from?

dancingnana1 Fri 22-Jun-18 10:50:56

I use Caurnie soap which is made locally in kirkintilloch. It comes in different flavours/smells : rose,manderin,lavendar and there is nettle soap which is supposed to be good for sorisis(sp).

Funnygran Fri 22-Jun-18 10:50:11

DH likes Wrights Coal Tar, I wash my face with Pears and the smell is so evocative. On holiday in America last year I bought a mat that fits the soap dish. It’s made of rough plastic wire so the water drains through it and I just rinse it under a tap every week. No soggy soap!

Kim19 Fri 22-Jun-18 10:39:40

I'm a soap girl too. Never stopped. Mine is either Bronnley lemon or Wrights coal tar. Extremely different but both lovely.

Gma29 Fri 22-Jun-18 10:38:39

I love Jo Malone, but it’s purely birthday present territory as it’s too expensive, so I use L’Occitane as an everyday soap. It isn’t exactly cheap either, but it lasts, and doesn’t seem to go into mush on the sink.

The scents are evocative, I can’t smell Wrights Coal Tar without thinking of my grandmother, who had a no-nonsense approach to toiletries! My other grandma always had beautiful little round patterned floral soaps, but I don’t know the make.

Elrel Fri 22-Jun-18 10:32:40

We used have the magnet gadget at DM’s long ago!
I’m using a little ridged wooden block which came in a set of toiletries, it keeps the soap dry and cuts down the mess. I get brown trails from a gritty feeling but effective little tortoise shaped soap. It’s great for hand washing and was a present, probably from Mauritius or some other warm island!

knickas63 Fri 22-Jun-18 10:31:32

Lush do a brilliant range - including soap bars for hair which last forever. Worth a look.

sweetcakes Fri 22-Jun-18 10:19:14

My daughter is going to Greece soon I will ask her to look out for some, olive oil sounds great, one question does it have a good lather?

chelseababy Fri 22-Jun-18 10:08:50

Don't forget you can get shampoo in a bar like soap too. And conditioner I think. I'm still using the stock of liquid soap and shower gel I found at mums after she died last August!

Juggernaut Fri 22-Jun-18 10:05:39

Pittcity, It's Shield soap you're thinking of, and it's still available, Sainsbury's stock it I think.
Michel Design Works make beautiful soap, the 'Lemon and Basil' is gorgeous! I buy mine from Roxton's, on line, but I'm sure their products are available elsewhere too.
Or 'Extract of Limes' from Trumpers (nothing to do with the idiot Trump) is wonderful.
As a special treat, I also use Floris 'Edwardian Bouquet' soap, which is dried after each use, and stored in my undies drawer, the family know not to use it, it's mine, all mine!!!