scrubbing bubbles… OF DOOM!
You may recall what happened last time I posted about my husband giving our daughter a bath. He’s given her several since then – I didn’t want to submerge my icky poison ivy hand (it’s fine now, thanks) so he took over duties for a week. Aside from some incredibly flooded bathrooms – we’re talking multiple towels on the floor, dripping wet – there haven’t been any further major incidents.
So I went out the other evening, and when I came home, the hubby had graciously given the daughter a bath. He casually remarked, “Oh, she found your orange soap.”
My… orange soap?
“Yeah, you know, it’s kind of orangey?”
My grapefruit soap?
“Yeah. It had some cracks in it, and she started peeling it, and… uh… it doesn’t have cracks anymore.”
The soap he’s referring to is Sudz “In The Pink” complexion bar, which I treated myself to at our local whole foods store some months ago. I’ve been hoarding it and using it very slowly, since it costs about $6 a freaking bar.
Before:
After:
That’s it, he’s off bath duty.
I make soap! Trust me!
Gather up all the little pieces and chop or grate them into smaller pieces. Put them in a bowl with just enough water to get them soft and damp. You may need to leave them to soak for a bit. Be careful not to put in too much water or you’ll end up with mush! Okay, now that all the pieces are damp and pliable, squish and squeeze them into a firm little ball. Take your soap ball and put it somewhere safe (i.e. out of the reach of curious hands!) and dry and leave it to dry out and cure for a week or so–until it’s dry to the touch on the outside and hard. You’ve just made French milled soap!
I make soap balls like this with the scrapings of my mixing containers a day or 2 after soapmaking days.
Also, $6 for an 8 oz bar is pretty inexpensive. Most handmade soaps run about $1/ounce. If you keep this soap dry between washings, it will last longer than commercial detergent bars.
Bonus hint for making any soap last longer: If it’s packaged in a non-porous, non-breathable wrap (plastic, waxed paper), unwrap it when you get home from the store and put it somewhere dry and non humid (like your bedroom closet). The soap will dry out more before you have a chance to use it, making a harder, longer-lasting bar.
I make soap! Trust me!
Gather up all the little pieces and chop or grate them into smaller pieces. Put them in a bowl with just enough water to get them soft and damp. You may need to leave them to soak for a bit. Be careful not to put in too much water or you’ll end up with mush! Okay, now that all the pieces are damp and pliable, squish and squeeze them into a firm little ball. Take your soap ball and put it somewhere safe (i.e. out of the reach of curious hands!) and dry and leave it to dry out and cure for a week or so–until it’s dry to the touch on the outside and hard. You’ve just made French milled soap!
I make soap balls like this with the scrapings of my mixing containers a day or 2 after soapmaking days.
Also, $6 for an 8 oz bar is pretty inexpensive. Most handmade soaps run about $1/ounce. If you keep this soap dry between washings, it will last longer than commercial detergent bars.
Bonus hint for making any soap last longer: If it’s packaged in a non-porous, non-breathable wrap (plastic, waxed paper), unwrap it when you get home from the store and put it somewhere dry and non humid (like your bedroom closet). The soap will dry out more before you have a chance to use it, making a harder, longer-lasting bar.
Re: I make soap! Trust me!
Thanks! Considering how long this soap has lasted, actually $6 isn’t that much. It just looks like that much when you’re staring at it on the shelf.
I had figured I’d do something similar, except smushing the bits in the toe of an old nylon, assuming I’ve got one somewhere. I really appreciate the tips!
Re: I make soap! Trust me!
Thanks! Considering how long this soap has lasted, actually $6 isn’t that much. It just looks like that much when you’re staring at it on the shelf.
I had figured I’d do something similar, except smushing the bits in the toe of an old nylon, assuming I’ve got one somewhere. I really appreciate the tips!
Glad you got tips on saving the soap. But MAN, can I relate. I swear by Clinique’s facial soap, which is something like $10 a bar (possibly more now). It’s pricey, but the stuff lasts for at least six months.
One night I was looking for it and it wasn’t on the bathroom sink where it should be. I asked Morgan and he said “Oh, I threw it out. It was just a little sliver anyway.” Yeah, a little sliver that would have lasted me another week. *headdesk*
Glad you got tips on saving the soap. But MAN, can I relate. I swear by Clinique’s facial soap, which is something like $10 a bar (possibly more now). It’s pricey, but the stuff lasts for at least six months.
One night I was looking for it and it wasn’t on the bathroom sink where it should be. I asked Morgan and he said “Oh, I threw it out. It was just a little sliver anyway.” Yeah, a little sliver that would have lasted me another week. *headdesk*
Argh!
No good at all. :'(
Argh!
No good at all. :'(
whooo, harsh! I hoard the little ones whenever they come in the gift bag.
Ahhh, “Gift.”
whooo, harsh! I hoard the little ones whenever they come in the gift bag.
Ahhh, “Gift.”
that is a sad tale. 🙁
the silver lining is we get to all benefit from your high recommendation of this soap! Although, I use liquid facial soap otherwise I get the bar suds all over the place everywhere.
that is a sad tale. 🙁
the silver lining is we get to all benefit from your high recommendation of this soap! Although, I use liquid facial soap otherwise I get the bar suds all over the place everywhere.
What is it with men that they can’t seem to grasp the concept of “do not touch” items? If you have to describe it because it’s not the standard thing in the house (ie “your orange soap”) then they should know that it’s not to be touched!
But then, they are the same creatures that don’t get why you would ever buy a piece of clothing that can’t be dried in the dryer (or has to be handwashed or drycleaned for that matter) so I suppose there is nothing we can do with them. 😀
What is it with men that they can’t seem to grasp the concept of “do not touch” items? If you have to describe it because it’s not the standard thing in the house (ie “your orange soap”) then they should know that it’s not to be touched!
But then, they are the same creatures that don’t get why you would ever buy a piece of clothing that can’t be dried in the dryer (or has to be handwashed or drycleaned for that matter) so I suppose there is nothing we can do with them. 😀
Yeah, that Clinique free gift is great! Next time, feed him the soap and see how small he thinks it is! Hmph!
Yeah, that Clinique free gift is great! Next time, feed him the soap and see how small he thinks it is! Hmph!
I read somebody’s comedy routine somewhere that explained that sometimes men deliberately bollocks this sort of thing up so that in the future, they don’t have to do this sort of thing anymore.
Theoretically applies to: Laundry, gardening, lawn care, children, cooking, and bathroom cleansing. I’m sure there’s more.
Not that I am in the least suggesting that’s what your husband did, but it makes for amusing mental imagery in a general sense. Glad there’s hope for the soap!
I read somebody’s comedy routine somewhere that explained that sometimes men deliberately bollocks this sort of thing up so that in the future, they don’t have to do this sort of thing anymore.
Theoretically applies to: Laundry, gardening, lawn care, children, cooking, and bathroom cleansing. I’m sure there’s more.
Not that I am in the least suggesting that’s what your husband did, but it makes for amusing mental imagery in a general sense. Glad there’s hope for the soap!
Oh, I’m glad I wasn’t the only cynic who thought that!
Oh, I’m glad I wasn’t the only cynic who thought that!