Day 14 of Blogtober, and time to address a common misconception…
It’s a question I’ve heard more than once, and I can understand why people brought up on liquid soap and shower gels might think bars of soap are old-fashioned. For some, bar soap conjures up memories of a slightly grubby bar sitting in a puddle beside Auntie Nora’s bathroom sink, while modern bathrooms are filled with sleek, beautifully designed plastic bottles of liquid handwash and gels.
However, I think solid soap is one of the most modern choices you can make for your bathroom. Yes, I realise that that is exactly what you might expect me to say, as someone who makes soap for a living. But consider this…
Are plastic bottles really progress?
Somewhere along the way, we seem to have decided that putting soap into a plastic bottle made it better. More modern, more sophisticated, more convenient. (and even I can grudgingly admit that soap in pump bottles might perhaps be quite convenient).
But think about what we’re actually doing. We’re buying a bottle, using the contents, and then, in most cases, disposing of the packaging and buying another one.
And another.
And another.
All for a product that does essentially the same job as a bar of soap.
Less packaging, less waste
One of the biggest advantages of solid soap is that it doesn’t need a plastic bottle. A bar can be packaged in a simple paper wrapper or cardboard box, avoiding the need for another plastic container and pump mechanism.
And while recycling is important, avoiding unnecessary packaging in the first place is even better.
Then there’s the water.
Liquid handwash and shower gel generally contain a substantial amount of water as part of their formulation. Solid soap contains very little, which means you’re not buying and transporting quite so much water along with your cleaning product.
In fact, research comparing different handwashing methods has found that bar soap can have a lower environmental impact than liquid soap in several important categories, including greenhouse gas emissions.
Of course, no product is completely without environmental impact, and ingredients, manufacturing, packaging and how we use a product all matter. But when it comes to reducing single-use plastic in the bathroom, solid soap is a clear winner.
Old-fashioned doesn’t mean outdated
Here’s another thought. Just because something has been around for hundreds of years, does that mean it needs replacing? We still use plates, books, bicycles and wooden spoons. Nobody’s suggesting we need to reinvent the spoon simply because it’s been doing a perfectly good job for centuries.
Some things have stuck around because they work. And traditional soap is one of them. The technology might be old, but the reasons for choosing it can be thoroughly modern.
Reducing packaging. Being more thoughtful about what we buy. Choosing products that do their job without creating unnecessary waste. Those aren’t outdated ideas. Quite the opposite.
But what about the soggy soap?
Ah yes. The dreaded soggy soap. This is probably one of the biggest complaints I hear about using a bar, and the solution is wonderfully straightforward. I know, I’m like a broken record but:
Give your soap somewhere to drain and dry between uses!
A decent draining soap dish or soap ladder makes a huge difference. Keep the bar out of standing water and away from the direct shower spray, and it’ll last much better. And if you use a washcloth or loofah in the shower, you can work up a lovely lather without keeping the bar under running water.
I’m not suggesting everyone should throw away their liquid soap tomorrow – that would rather defeat the object of trying to reduce waste, wouldn’t it? But when your current bottle runs out, perhaps consider whether you actually need to replace it with another bottle. A lovely bar of soap could do exactly the same job 😉
It can smell gorgeous, feel lovely to use, look beautiful beside your sink and help you avoid another piece of disposable packaging.
(Oh, and if you already have a refillable dispenser that you love, that is a perfectly reasonable way to cut down on single-use packaging. PROVIDED you take it to an eco-friendly refill store to, well… refill).
So is solid soap old-fashioned?
Well, the method of making it certainly has a long history. But choosing a practical, effective product that helps reduce unnecessary plastic waste? I’d call that pretty modern, actually.
And finally, when all’s said and done, if being old-fashioned means enjoying a gorgeous bar of handmade soap instead of buying yet another plastic bottle? Well, actually, I’m very happy to be old-fashioned.
Vicki x