why is soap so slippery when you shower?

Question

It keeps slipping out of my hand.
When it's new then it has a shape to hold on but when it is used it gets slippery and keeps squirting out of my hand and makes you go far to pick it up again.
Why doesnt someone make non slippery soap for in the shower?

Answer 1

Did you notice that soap is not particularly slippery if it is perfectly dry? Slipperiness is related to the reduced friction between two solid objects (e.g. a bar of soap and the bathroom floor). Friction is a force acting perpendicularly (at a right angle) to the direction of movement, thus making the movement less easy. Two dry, clean, flat objects are very difficult to move against each other i.e. they adhere strongly to each other. As soon as you put a liquid or liquid-like film between the objects, friction is much reduced (Skating takes advantage of this: a water film is created by melting ice under pressure of the skate). The structure of soap molecules is such that, in presence of water, they tend to build up a thin, liquid-like film at the surface of a solid, which allows objects to glide easily against each other. More detailed explanation of the phenomenon (keyword: lubrication) rapidly becomes very complex.


A not slippery soap wouldn't work as well. However, I suggest you switch to a body lotion like Oil of Olay with a shower poof, it cleanses just as well and conditions your skin too.

Answer 2

Try Lava brand or liquid soap

Answer 3

Use liquid soap or a squishy sponge.

Answer 4

if it's not slippery then how will it slide off you when you go to wash it off in the shower

Answer 5

Uh...how about because it's wet...