I use a bar of soap until it gets to half size. Is there a way I can recycle all my half bars for reuse?

Question

I would love to be able to put all my little half bars into mold of some kind so I can reuse the bars and save money.

Answer 1

You can, it's called rebatching. First wash it off to get stray hairs, dust, etc off it, then shred it. You can either use a food processor or other chopping device, or you can just cut it with a knife. Toss all your soap scraps into a bowl, then add just enough water to wet the surfaces of the soap. Then heat it on a double boiler to melt, (NOT good in the microwave) and then re-mold it. Yes there are tons of soap molds out there, check soapmaking websites for online purchases, or go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby, but you can also use things like ice trays, etc. Anything that is flexible but holds up to the heat of melted soap is fine for a soap mold...and it does get very hot so be careful with some.

You can also get a household sponge (very cheap) and cut a slit in the length of it to form a pocket, and put your soap scraps inside. They sell these, particularly to children as a sure grip device but it also does preserve the soap and keep small pieces corralled for use.

You can also sew a washcloth into a pouch, add a drawstring closure, and store them in that. It's pretty simple to do, and you can get instructions on drawstrings by looking up "ditty bags" in how-to sections of camping websites. (Ditty bag is the same item made out of nylon used to organize camping gear in a backpack.)

If you always use the same kind of soap, you won't have a problem with clashing scents but if not you may want to pay attention to fragrances so you don't end up with a stinky mess.

Have you considered body wash or liquid soaps as a way to eliminate waste? There are value packs, refill sizes, etc to keep them comparably priced to bar soap, and many bars have a liquid counterpart. No waste, less mess, and seems a little more hygienic than sharing a bar soap in a family bathroom.

Answer 2

I do something even simpler than what most have suggested. I use the bar until it is almost gone, and then I press it, wet, against a new bar. It usually attaches quite well after the first or second use together and gets used up along with the new bar. When non-union occurs (about 25% of the time) the small bit just goes down the drain, harmlessly.

Answer 3

Yes sure just use them as drawer sachets or marking your material when making dresses etc or melt them down and make yourself liquid hand soap just put in a container and add very hot water and add about a teaspoon of vegetable glycerine and wait a few days you will have yourself liquid handsoap for pennies less than the store bought variety Good Luck !

Answer 4

Use more than half the bar,
You can purchase a soap press, then press the bits together to make another big one.

Answer 5

There are many healthy fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables like broccoli and green spinach contain calcium and are packed with fiber.

Answer 6

you can use a double boiler (a pot that sits on top of another pot with boiling water) to melt the pieces together. i've also seen a catalog item that was made to insert soap pieces into.

Answer 7

Why would you not just use the bar until it is all gone or almost all gone?? That is such a waste to not use the whole thing and a waste of time to melt little pieces back together