BAR SOAP

Alleviating the “ick” factor: For those who prefer using a soap dispenser because it seems more sanitary, rest assured that according to the CDC, both bar or dispenser soaps work just as effectively. In addition, studies have not found any added health benefits from using antibacterial soap vs. plain soap. If you share a bar soap with others, know that it is unlikely that you will get sick; the combination of soap and water is very effective in getting rid of pathogens and washing it down the drain. An exception to this is if you have an open cut, which provides greater opportunity for pathogens to enter your body. In this case, you may want to opt for using a soap dispenser or a separate bar of soap until the wound has fully healed.

 
 

Start with putting one bar at each sink, but leave the dispenser soap available for guests or family members still overcoming the “ick” factor. Do the same with body soap in the bath/shower!

 

Replace all dispenser soap with soap bars for handwashing, except in the kitchen where you may want to keep a dispenser soap option for washing your hands after working with raw meat. You could also take the opportunity to try out a dishwashing detergent bar while keeping a liquid option available. Similarly, you can introduce shampoo and conditioner bars in the bath/shower, but still leave the bottled options available.

 

Replace all soaps with bar soaps - for hand-washing, dishwashing, shampoo, conditioner and even moisturizer. And if there’s another type of bar soap available, please let us know!

The following lists some of the products that we have tried and liked, not only because they perform well, but also because they are made from simple and/or organic ingredients, largely by eco-friendly producers. Many of these products are accessible online or at chain stores, making shopping convenient. We continue to observe a growing number of new brands appearing in this space, which is encouraging indication that consumers are making the switch.

HAND / BODY

  • Use up hotel soaps: Like us, you may have accumulated an inventory of hotel soaps from travels over the years which you are saving to bring along to your next trip. Don’t wait - use them today!

  • You can purchase bar soaps in bulk, including Ivory and Dove bar soaps which are free of dyes and fragrance. Refreshingly scented soaps such as Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile bar soaps are available in lavender, citrus, tea tree, and other fragrances, which can help entice usage. These are made from organic ingredients and conveniently available at most department and grocery stores. Consider also picking up soaps when visiting boutiques and farm stands, which usually offers sheep’s milk and other creative homemade soaps. It’s fun to try out new fragrances while supporting local merchants.

  • Deodorant: A growing number of brands offer deodorant bars or sticks made from more natural ingredients and using paper-based packaging. Some that we’ve tried and liked include Ethique and Hey Humans.

FACE

  • Moisturizer bars: Although it took a bit of getting used to, face and body moisturizers also come in bar form that are made from natural ingredients and uses paper-based packaging. We have been using Ethique, but there are a growing number of other brands and options.

  • Lip balm: Similar to moisturizing bars, brands now offer paper-based packaging for lip balms, reducing the use of plastic tubes or containers. Again we’ve been using Ethique (their tinted option is a great alternative to lipstick), but there are a growing number of options that you can find online.

HAIR CARE

Using a shampoo bar is not unlike a body bar - you just need to apply some water and friction to get the suds going. It has been two years since we’ve made the switch and we continue to find that the bar suds up nicely and washes out cleaner vs. liquid shampoo.

  • Ethique was the first brand of shampoo bars that we tried. In addition to shampoo and conditioner, the New Zealand company also offers face and body soaps and moisturizer bars. Learn more about the products at https://ethiqueworld.com/

  • Love Beauty and Planet offers pleasantly scented vegan shampoo and shampoo/conditioner bars at more affordable prices. Learn more at https://www.lovebeautyandplanet.com/

  • J.R. Liggett’s is based in New England and offers a selection shampoo bars for people and pets. Learn more at https://jrliggett.com/.

KITCHEN

We are currently trying out the dishwashing detergent bar soap, so will wait to share any recommendations (we have found this video to be a helpful introduction). However, we are keeping a dispenser soap available for washing up after working with raw meat or other more bacteria-prone elements.

  • No Tox Life’s Dishwashing Block is the first brand of dishwashing bars that we are trying out. Learn more about the product at https://notoxlife.com/.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

If using dishwashing liquid detergent, remember that a little goes a long way. To reduce the amount used, pour the soap into a liquid dispenser with a smaller spout. In addition, using a dispenser makes it easier to get more soap in the middle of dishwashing because you don’t have to physically pickup (and dirty) the bottle to get more. An alternative is to squirt a drop or two of the liquid detergent onto a small saucer and then dab your brush or sponge into the saucer as you need more soap.