What can I do with Leftover Pieces of Soap?
Just about every household has to deal with small leftover pieces of soap. The residue of different soap bars presents a problem to consumers who seek to be thrifty. While the pieces of soap are no longer large enough to use for showers or washing the hands, creative individuals have come up with ways to make good use of those pieces and stretch the budget a bit. If you have leftover soap pieces around the house, here are some ideas you can try.
One of the easiest ways to reuse soap pieces requires nothing more than a washcloth and a needle and thread. Make the cloth into a draw string bag that can be opened and closed at will. Place several pieces of soap into the bag and seal it with the draw string. The washcloth bag can be used to lather up when showering. During the course of the shower, the small pieces of soap are used up. After the shower, simply empty the bag and allow it to dry as you would any washcloth. The bag is easy to use and allows you to get the last bit of good from those tiny soap pieces.
A second approach is to use those odd pieces of soap to create new bars. This is not as hard as it may sound. Place the fragments into a blender along with a small amount of water, then blend for no more than twenty seconds. Place the thick liquid into an ovenproof glass dish and slowly heat the soap fragments and water in the oven. The water content will begin to evaporate during the baking, leaving behind a thick but still liquid soapy material. Pour the melted soap into molds and allow it to set overnight. In the morning, you will have fresh new bars of soap made to any size you prefer.
It is also possible to create inexpensive hand soap using pieces of soap. For this process, purchase a pump container that features an open mouth and wide lid. Place a few marbles, the soap pieces and a small amount of water into the pump, then reseal the lid. The water will break down the soap and slowly mingle with the residue. Before using, gently shake the container, allowing the marbles to further break down any remaining slivers of soap. This approach makes it possible to recycle soap fragments by turning them into hand soap that is ideal for washing hands at a sink.
A last time-honored way to reuse soap is to simply adhere the soap fragment to a new bar. Today, the easiest way to accomplish this is to wet the new bar slightly and apply the fragment to the face of the bar. Wrap the bar and fragment in clear plastic wrap and microwave on low heat for no more than thirty seconds. This will be enough to allow the soap pieces and the new bar to create a strong bond that will make it possible to use up the small piece of soap.
Another innovative way to recycle soap has nothing to do with personal hygiene. Sewing enthusiasts know that small pieces of soap can be used to mark material instead of employing tailor’s chalk. The soap will wash out of the completed garment with ease, something that is not always true with tailor’s chalk. This unique use of pieces of soap saves money on sewing notions and also makes it much easier to prepare the finished garment for use.
Written by Malcolm Tatum
