If you're looking for new uses for old toiletries, you can get smart and use your leftover soap cheaply. In many households, there are a few splinters or pieces left over that stick to the edge of the tub. However, since it would be a waste to simply throw them away, you can turn the old bars of soap into usable items for washing and save money. To reuse the residue after washing your hands regularly, below are some creative and ecological methods that you can try yourself.
How can you use soap residue through clever repurposing?
The leftover soap is usually too small to grasp with wet hands. In addition, it can become hard and cracked after months of disuse in the bathroom or toilet. In most cases, the old bars of soap can no longer serve their original purpose. However, getting them to stick to a new soap doesn't always work, so you risk them coming off in the bathtub and making the surface slippery. Instead of thisRemove soap shards, however, you have many other uses that can create valuable repurposing.
So store the leftovers in an airtight container or bag and make sure they are dry when reused. The residue from various soap bars offers new ways to put it to good use and save money in the process. This also allows you to reduce your carbon footprint. The fact is that liquid soaps are usually packaged in plastic and lead to microplastics in oceans.
Bar soap, on the other hand, requires little to no packaging and is often formulated with nutrient-rich ingredients. These are good for both the body and the planet. They also last much longer than their liquid counterparts - even more so if you use a wooden soap dish to extend their lifespan.
Make your own laundry soap from leftover soap
Recycle your dry soap scraps by placing them in a food processor and grinding them until they form a crumbly powder. Place the powder in a large bowl and add washing soda (sodium carbonate) equal to twice the amount of “soap powder”. Mix evenly and use two tablespoons for the next load of wash. Do you prefer a liquid detergent? No problem! You can also use your soap residue by putting it in a 500 ml glass and filling it with water. Keep adding old bars to the jar and when the soap has dissolved and thickened, use that instead of liquid detergent. This means you can keep your clothes clean in a sustainable way.
Use leftover soap and make new soap
The easiest thing to do with old soap scraps is to turn them into beautiful new bars of soap. Simply save all of your soap scraps until you have a large amount. Once you've collected enough to make a few bars, break the remaining splinters into small pieces. Place the pieces in a pot and fill with water, then melt the mixture over medium heat until the soap begins to stick together. Be sure to stir the mixture frequently and not bring it to a boil.
Why not convert those leftover soap bars into a liquid hand soap for the kitchen or bathroom? Here are some easy steps to make:
- First, simply grate your old soap ends into small flakes until you have about 8 to 10 ounces of them.
- Then bring 1 gallon of water to a boil in a large pot and stir the soap until it is completely dissolved.
- Afterward, mix in two tablespoons of glycerin if using store-bought soap shards as a base. If you use castile or handmade soap, they probably already contain glycerin.
- Once soap, glycerin and water are combined, remove from heat and let sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours. After a maximum of 24 hours, the mixture should be thick (if it's too thick, you may need to whip it a little).
- Now stir in essential oils, extracts or fragrances as desired and pour the mixture into a soap dispenser, which is ideally made from sustainable materials.
Freshen up clothes with old soap
Have you ever noticed how your clothes take on a musty smell after sitting in your dresser or closet for too long? Use your leftover soap bars to make it smell fresh again. Simply wrap a scented bar of soap in a washcloth and pop it in the drawer for extra freshness. Have a pair toosmelly sneakers? This trick also works great for bad smells from shoes.
Use up leftover soap and never buy shaving foam again
Shaving creams and foams are often full of ingredients that could be bad for the environment. So why not use your leftover soap bars to make your own shaving cream? Throw the soap residue into an old coffee cup, add some hot water and use a shaving brush to create a nice lather. Both men and women can use this product, which has been made so easy, for their shaving. In addition, soap lathers very well and offers the same smooth finish as shaving cream.
Make your own shower scrub from old soap
This is another excellent idea if you want to use up old soap residue. Simply put these in an exfoliating wash mitt and hang them in the shower. The next time your skin is crying out for some TLC, have a beautiful shower scrub ready.
However, should you be gentler orwant to shower more often, you can also put your soap residue in a regular wash mitt or large washcloth and tie it securely instead. This is a great way to use up your leftovers with very little effort.
Recycle soap residue and use it as tailor's chalk
Small bars of soap are perfect for marking fabric while sewing when you can't find your chalk. They look particularly good on dark material and, as an extra, you can quickly wash out the markings with a little water. Additionally, a leftover bar of soap can act as a versatile household staple, saving you not only money but also time. Another great idea is to use a wrapped bar of soap as a pad for pins and needles to keep them lubricated and protected.
Make decorative soap balls from scraps
Soap balls are suitableperfect for a powder roomor a guest bathroom and are ideal for those on the crafty side. You can either use leftovers that complement each other in color or be a little more adventurous with mixing and matching. Once you've chosen the right soap bars, simply grate them and add a little warm water to make the shavings malleable enough to form into balls. Make sure you store the creations somewhere where they can dry out and harden completely, which can take a few weeks.
Take a relaxing bubble bath with soap residue
Who doesn't love doing aromatherapy in the bathtub? If you're also trying to avoid plastic in the bathroom, consider using your leftover soap shavings as a bubble bath. All you have to do is put your leftover soap in a mesh bag and hang it on the bathtub faucet. Do you want your bathroom to feel extra luxurious? Try adding healthy ingredients like lavender flowers and coconut oil to the tub.
