1st, if this post isn't in the right place please forgive me and feel free to move it.

I am on a cleaning out spree with my house. If it ain't nailed down it risks getting tossed right now, and being nailed down doesn't necessarily save the item either IMO. lol!

At any rate, yesterday I cleaned out the bathroom closet and on the very top shelf is a container (big) I keep in which I throw all those little bars of soap you get from motels. My parents go on little trips about every other week and always bring me back their motel goodies. I don't complain as I don't have to buy very much shampoo, soap, lotion, etc., but of all the items they bring back, the one we don't use fast enough is the bar soap. I don't think it is even conceivably possible to use it all if my family of 6 each used a new bar with every shower/bath.

So my question becomes is what can I do with it? I currently have about 150 different bars of this stuff. And my supply doesn't look to run out too soon as my folks are returning form a 2 week vacation this weekend and are looking to leave for a 3 week trip in early Oct. (How nice to be retired!) I currently make my own laundry soap and was wondering if using this in place of the Felz Naptha I buy would be just as effective. Also I've heard that this can be used to make hand soap and shampoo but no one seems to know how to do it.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

My husband travels and scavenges all the soap and shampoo, too. I keep them on hand for when I run out. I wouldn't use soap for hair - it usually leaves a residue and is often too harsh. I wonder if some shelters in your area would love some donations. If it smells nice, you can put some in drawers. I keep some with my towels. I'm not a big bar soap fan due to the mess, but I always keep a few around. I have had some of the lotions and conditioners go bad.

I know that the nursing homes ask for that type of stuff during the holidays....they make up little gift packs for the residents. That might be a good idea for a big part of it..and if your children are big enough to help, you can let them be in on it! They also really like to get combs...which are pretty inexpensive...and sugar free candy. It is actually pretty sad to see just how little they get excited over.

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about.com says that you can use any soap for laundry detergent. it's the soda and borax that really help with the cleaning.

yes you can use this soap to make detergent but I really suggest giveing it to a shelter or nursing home. It would make you feel good and I know they need it.

You can also use them as gifts, take the wrapper off and rewrap it in tissue paper,and netting and tie with a pretty ribbon. The add it to a bath basket you are giving as a gift. The pretty smelling ones also work good in a drawer to keep it smelling nice. Also, maybe consider half way houses for abused women, or send them to the soldiers overseas. They LOVE these things!

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To make liquid soap - I'd try putting the bar (maybe cut in slivers) in an old pump and adding water - just shake it up every now and again.

Or just set out the bars and use the bars as hand soap.

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Stephanie (27) & Virgil (31)
Caden 3 y.o. 11/28/04 29w preemie
Wyatt 17 mos. 9/25/06
#3 due 8/24/08

We put these little bars in an old knee high and tie it by our outside spicket or use it when we go camping, etc. for hand washing. We don't have to worry about losing the bar or it getting all dirty! This won't help with the abundance, but might be an idea for some readin this thread. (We also use the last bits of bars that just to hard to hold on to for this.)

I've also used these in the Christmas shoeboxes that we've fixed up for Samaritan's Purse. If you don't want to make some boxes, you might ask around and find a church or youth organization that does this. They ship the boxes oversees to underpriveleged children. I'm sure they'd love to get them as well.

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"Fostering Excellence in Intellect & Character"

Along with the nursing homes and shelters, you could also check out hospice inpatient facilities. When my supply of soap/shampoo/lotion samples starts overwhelming the closet, I will bring a bag to the hospice facility. They always seem to appreciate them.