By Susan Flamm
I asked Google’s AI for instructions on how to use bar soap…
“AI Overview
To use bar soap in the shower, wet the bar of soap, then lather it up in your hands or on a washcloth/loofah, and apply the created foam to your body, massaging it gently before rinsing thoroughly; ensure to start at the top of your body and work your way down for complete coverage.”
Is it really that simple or is there more to it?
Well, yes & no.
Wondering why you should use bar soap in the first place?
1. New & Improved
Bar soaps of the past relied heavily on synthetic cleansers that, while effective at removing dirt, gradually depleted the skin's natural protective barrier, resulting in dryness and irritation. Modern bar soaps have evolved to include diverse formulations, many crafted with natural ingredients. Unpeeled Handmade Soaps exemplify this evolution, using purely natural ingredients that not only cleanse but also nourish the skin, helping to maintain moisture and strengthen its natural barrier.
2. Longer Lasting
Since you naturally use only what you need with each wash, bar soaps typically outlast their liquid counterparts. Plus, you can use a bar down to the very last sliver – unlike liquid soap bottles that often trap those frustrating remnants at the bottom. A soap sleeve or well draining soap dish can help you make the most of every bar, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
3. Waterless
Switching to bar soap and other waterless beauty products is an easy way to preserve our precious water supply. Not only do waterless formulas help conserve water, but they also weigh less than their liquid counterparts and therefore don’t require as much energy to transport.
Bar soaps deliver potent skincare benefits through their concentrated plant oils and fats, without requiring preservatives like parabens to maintain stability. But their advantages extend far beyond personal care.
The environmental impact of waterless products becomes increasingly crucial as we face global water scarcity - with the World Wildlife Fund projecting that by 2025, two-thirds of people worldwide could experience water shortages. Choosing bar soap represents a simple yet meaningful step toward water conservation. Their solid format not only preserves our vital water resources but also creates a smaller carbon footprint during shipping, as their lighter weight requires less fuel for transportation compared to liquid products.
4. Eco-Friendly Packaging
As environmental consciousness grows around plastic's impact on climate change, bar soap stands out for its innovative packaging solution. Our soaps come wrapped in Rock Paper - a sustainable, waterproof, and fully recyclable material that eliminates the need for plastic containers. The environmental impact is significant: a global switch from body wash to bar soap could prevent approximately 1.4 billion plastic bottles from entering the waste stream annually!
5. Travel-Friendly
Seasoned travelers know the anxiety of packing liquid toiletries - and the potential disaster of arriving to find them leaked throughout your luggage. Bar soaps eliminate this travel headache entirely. They sail through airport security checks, occupy minimal space in your bags, and add negligible weight to your carry-on. Best of all, you can unpack with confidence, knowing your clothes are safe from any soap-related catastrophes.
But what about your soap when you are not using it?
Ever wonder what happens to your soap when it's not in use? The secret to extending your bar's life lies in proper drying between uses. Without good drainage, your beloved soap can quickly turn into an unpleasant, mushy mess.
There are several ways to keep your soap high and dry. If you're using a soap sleeve, simply hang it up after your shower, allowing both the sleeve and soap to air dry naturally. For those who prefer using the bar directly or with a washcloth or loofah, you'll need a dedicated drying solution.
Here are 4 soap sleeves I have tried and my thoughts on each:
plastic mesh pouch holds soaps of different types and sizes
washable & reusable, safe for long-lasting us
equipped with a drawstring making it convenient to close & open
can be hung with its drawstring to dry quickly
creates a good lather lather and exfoliates your skin
A bubble mesh soap pouch is the soap sleeve that I currently use. It is unfortunately not a natural solution but it works best for me but I’m open to other options. I get an excellent lather with this sleeve that I can even use my Unpeeled Soap for shaving. Over time, the netting can deteriorate & it’s time for a new one. They carry similar soap sleeves at Dollar Tree but the bottom seam is held together with a zip-tie which doesn’t hold well and takes up space on the inside of the sleeve. Make sure you get ones with a sewn bottom seam.
Made of 100% recycled content, 1 pack = 4 recycled plastic bottles diverted from oceans, handmade sustainably in North America
Gentle exfoliation
Machine washable and dryer safe, recommended to wash every week
Hang dry after every use
The Soap Envelope has quite an interesting story. They are made from the off-cuts from Cycle Air’s 100% Recycled and Reusable Furnace & A/C Air Filters. This a great option if you are looking for a soap sleeve that is eco-friendly. When using this sleeve, I did not get much lather and it does not dry as quickly as some of the other options. The loop to hang dry was too short for me.
bamboo is completely biodegradable & environmentally friendly
tighten with toggle on drawstring
creates a good lather lather and exfoliates your skin
hang dry after every use
This soap sleeve is another eco-friendly option made from bamboo. When it arrived, it had a very soft and luxurious feeling. The drawstring was just long enough for me to hang it up to dry. I was very excited about this option but when I went to use it in the shower a second time, the fabric had hardened & stuck to the soap. It didn’t soften much when I got it wet. I tried to remove the soap from the bag but the drawstring & fabric had dried together & I couldn’t get it open. I ended up having to cut it open & throw the bag away.
natural sisal pouch, plastic-free
reusable
can be hung with its drawstring to dry quickly
rough enough to clean and exfoliate your skin, producing foam & lathering soap
While this is a natural option, I found it to be extremely rough and not suitable for me.
For those using bar soap directly, here’s a few options:
A wooden or silicone soap dish with drainage slots works wonderfully to preserve your bar's longevity. There are a lot of different options available.
But here's an eco-friendly tip straight from one of our customers: that yellow RockPaper packaging your soap arrived in? It can be transformed into a perfect soap dish! This sustainable, waterproof, and recyclable material makes an excellent home for your soap – just remember if it’s placed where it can collect water, punch a few drainage holes in the bottom to let excess water escape. (Folding instructions & video below!)
The journey to more sustainable, effective personal care doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you choose to embrace bar soap with a mesh pouch, bamboo sleeve, or simply create your own eco-friendly soap dish from our RockPaper packaging, you're making a choice that benefits both your skin and the planet. The simple act of switching to bar soap – and properly caring for it – can lead to less plastic waste, reduced water consumption, and a more enjoyable shower experience. As we become more conscious of our environmental impact, it's refreshing to know that sometimes the most sustainable solution is also the simplest one: a well-crafted bar of soap, thoughtfully stored and mindfully used.