[Closed] Moving away from shower gel

You'll just end up with sludge underneath the dish though won't you, so I can't see it making much odds 😀

A soap bag is what you need, mine has a drawstring and made from bamboo.

Here you go:

https://allnaturalsoap.co.uk/shop/accessories/bamboo-soap-bag/

CG I'm afraid your bamboo bag is not what it's cracked up to be: https://goodonyou.eco/bamboo-fabric-sustainable/

I've also had a similar thought. I use a nylon shower buff/puff to lather up the gel and exfoliate but they don't last long and don't recycle.

Because of that, I'd also like to switch to soap and if possible, find a sustainable/greener form of exfoliation.

Do they still do the magnetic ones, or did that stop with the 80's?

On a rope?

Thanks andyl, whilst I knew that it wasn't 100% eco-friendly I hadn't realised that China was the supplier. However, there's no reason why this soap bag can not last for years. It's regularly put in the washing machine and seems durable. So easy to tie oneself in knots with this!

Onzadog - eco-friendly shower puff here:

https://allnaturalsoap.co.uk/shop/accessories/natural-shower-puff/

My mini review:

Quick review on the shower puff pictured at the top of the page – made from ramie which is a natural fibre. Not easy to get a lather without adding extra shower gel, mildly exfoliating. Biggest bugbear was that it didn’t dry out. Rather disappointing overall.

Take a look at this thread where the hippies hang out:

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/savetheplanettrackworld/

Just to add that the bamboo soap bag is mildly exfoliating whilst the shower puff is pretty hardcore.

Find an aromatherapy shop where they make their own soap; bulk order in flavours of your choice; use cheese wire to cut into one shot size pieces or ask for it to be cut into your preferred size pieces before despatch.
Cost effective, minimal waste, virtue signalling.
As for exfoliation a sheet of wet'n'dry should last for several showers.

Hmmm... anyone know of a soap brand not using palm oil that isn’t ridiculously expensive ?

OP, is the soap dish going to go on some kind of rack or shelf?

I 3d printed my own version of this, which works pretty well:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/YAMAZAKI-home-Flow-Silicone-Black/dp/B00AYP7PN6/ref=asc_df_B00AYP7PN6/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=261267577154&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2396454424286274991&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006984&hvtargid=pla-394333774515&psc=1

The 1st attempt at a 3d printed version went a bit mouldy round the edges although that is because of all the small layers and crevices inherent in 3d printing. So, you shouldn't have the same issue with that silicone one.

I've since printed a much smaller version that sits fully underneath and that one isn't going mouldy...

Used Oliva (pure olive oil soap) for years to good effect. Price is reasonable and easy to get at the likes of Holland and Barrett.

We have one from Ikea that works. Metal top with hole in, plastic base that collects the sludge. Soap stays reasonably dry. This one.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/small-storage-organisers/bathroom-accessories/kalkgrund-soap-dish-chrome-plated-art-10292908/

Find an aromatherapy shop where they make their own soap

Do these exist and where please?

We sell this as well if you want to be even more eco. Gives a fantastic shave .

CG - I had idaromatics of Leeds in mind; they're on Station Street in Leeds near the station - clue is in street name.
I've bought from them in-store but their website doesn't show any soaps; have called their number to check but just rings out. It appears they're still trading so probably busy either making soap or mixing up aromatherapy stuff.

Thank you frankconway, always good to hear of an indie shop making stuff. Shame I'm the other end of the country!

Do these exist and where please?

Not sure about the eco credentials but lush do a sandalwood soap.. The smell is devine, probably other flavours too

Lots of Lush stuff has palm oil in it.

I'm sure it doesn't have the ecological credentials required by STWers but the little label on the bar of Imperial Leather is designed for placing face down on the soap tray so as the bar erodes this bit stays proud and all the sludge drains away and the rest of it stays dry and firm.

Because of that, I’d also like to switch to soap and if possible, find a sustainable/greener form of exfoliation.

In my experience (i'm quite hairy) after one wash using a bar of soap it resembles an exfoliating bar due to the amount of wiry pubes and body hair stuck to it, just as well i live on my own eh?.

(ayurvedic sandalwood soap from my hippy/health food shop does me fine, less than £5 for a brick sized bar that lasts months)

CG - follow the link
.... https://www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk/soap-making/
See recipes tab for soap, bath oil, solid shampoo bars and more.
They're at the other end of the country to me - Bideford specifically - and run courses to get you interested.
Disclaimer - I have no connection with them but if I ever get the time I could easily be tempted to have a try.

frankconway - am already a customer of The Soap Kitchen and, yes, their courses sound very tempting. If you take a look at the SaveThePlanet thread you'll see that there are some STW artisan soap-makers creating all sorts of gorgeous products.

The magnetic ones are the best imo.

Hate shower gel!

LOL at bigjohn, I remember the add for imperial leather when i was a kid. 'It rests on its name'

Pity it stings your eyes and makes your skin itch to ****

I am using a nettle soap and shampoo which i get off the soap guy at the market. No badness in it, it even stops my very mild eczema. Loveley stuff. No packaging whatsoever, he just cuts a lump off and drops it in my duffle bag

http://caurnie.com/epages/950000822.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/950000822/Categories/About_us-stro

I made some melt and pour (yes, I know it's not 'proper' soap) stuff today. I got kilo of translucent coconut soap base (no palm oil or derivatives but it does have sodium laureth sulphate in it) and made up a few bars with 15%-ish rapeseed oil, no fragrance oils added. It's nice. I've got a couple of 50g-ish rounds made up if anyone wants to try it (free, no strings, just let me know how you get on with it.)

My other half makes soap. She has tried a few different recipes/ingredients but judging by the amount of coconut oil and olive oil in our house those are the ones she uses the most. I think if you can leave it for a while to "cure" it's less likely to turn to sludge but I'm no expert, I just tried to avoid tripping over the stuff.

There is sustainable palm oil and dirty palm oil,

thanks for all this. im excited to try new soaps and a new dish

Hmmm… anyone know of a soap brand not using palm oil that isn’t ridiculously

Durham Soap do a range of non palm oil soap bars.
www.durhamsoap.co.uk
Reply To: Moving away from shower gel

Just on this topic, does anyone know who the hell sells travel soap dishes these days? Happy to get creative for my Arko shaving soap (it's just a cylinder) but want one for the proper stuff.

Squirrel - Boots do a clear plastic clamshell type; cheap and functional.
You're welcome.

There is sustainable palm oil and dirty palm oil

Quite possibly but until it's all 'sustainable' or manufacturers are transparent with where their stuff comes from, is it not best, perhaps, to avoid it?

There is sustainable palm oil and dirty palm oil

How can they claim this? Palm trees are planted where there was once virgin forest, end of.

Single-track branded plastic soap dish. Christmas product. Would sell like proverbial cakes. You are welcome.

We have just started this, and do shampoo soap bars as well. I like it a lot.

Single-track branded plastic carbon fibre soap dish. Christmas product. Would sell like proverbial cakes. You are welcome.

FTFY

No need for shampoo peeps, not used any for a year+, and did the same with long hair in the 90s too.

I've never seen a dish that doesn't gunk up.

How can they claim this?

It's definitely a thing.

Been in Boots a few times looking for one, never come across one yet. Will try the huge one in Glasgow.

This appears to be the current version
https://www.boots.com/holidays/travel-toiletries/boots-frosted-travel-soap-box-10212531

kayla - how funny that both of us were melting & pouring yesterday! Did you use a microwave or hob? Why did you add olive oil out of interest?

I used an SLS/SLES-free base, added colour, perfume and botanicals. Thought I was being organised by using rubbing alcohol which stops the bubbling, decanted into a glass bottle with atomiser but unfortunately the spray wasn't fine enough and ended up with a layer of white! Still, it was easy to scrape off. Added to which the botanicals (rose petals) look like dead wasps in the bottom of the soap bar!!

Shall be adding more reviews today to the SaveThePlanet thread.

Vader - sounds interesting, checked out the Caurnie website and would love to visit their soapery. Nearly 100 years of history there!

squirrelking try Wilko's for a soap dish.

This is actually a really good idea, I too am going to ditch shower gel in favour of soap.

I get through buckets of the stuff, so it’s about time I got my house in order.

I don’t like slippy soap, so that soap bag thing looks a cracking option.. and those links to the Soap makers who don’t use Palm Oil..

Good thread.

👍

I've read it all now. Even by stw standards this thread is special.

Discussing and using a nice soap I can get, but do people really struggle with sludge so much? My mind boggles. Actually.... Do sludge sufferers have hard water?

Even by stw standards this thread is special.

Ha ha and, yeah, some soap can be sludgy but can't remember whether it's due to SLS, SLES, clean palm oil, dirty palm oil, certified organic, non-certified organic, goats milk, donkey milk blah blah. Hard water here but smelling sweetly I think.

Here's my second attempt at a soap tray. It's significantly smaller than my first attempt, and fairly specifically designed to fit onto the shelf rack thing in our shower (taller than the front lip and slightly curved to match the curve of the shelf)

FFS - I used to be able to post images before it all go improved...

Try again...

Give up....

Wow! How did you manage that?! Witchcraft!

How can they claim this? Palm trees are planted where there was once virgin forest, end of.

No, palm oil trees are a crop like any other, so can be planted in place of a crop that isn’t a big money earner. The problem is the oil produced has such an incredibly wide range of uses, it’s caused a huge surge in demand which nations are only too keen to capitalise on, with scant regard for the local ecology, particularly in Asia.
There are ethical plantations in South America, apparently.

Why on earth would you use gels and shampoos when all you need to do is remove the dirt and dead skin?
Some serious debunking been done over the industry and what you actually need opposed to whey they tell you, you need!
Bog standard soap - Shield works bloody good (vegan friendly too), just rinse until you “squeak”.

And why is bog standard soap the answer? Nothing wrong with shower gel as a product, I don't think anyone is fooled that you must use it to remove dirt and that ordinary soap won't do?! Gel is just way more convenient for a lot of people and you can buy 5L refill packs for it so cut down significantly on the plastic use.

CG- I only wanted to make a few bars to try so I microwaved the stuff to melt it and added a bit of rapeseed oil to it. I tried the soap as it was first without any stuff added and it was too drying so I added the oil to try and counter that. It works ok.

There are plenty of small makers out there using traditional cold or hot process methods and ingredients to create wonderful soap.
https://oakwoodsoaperie.co.uk are just one (As a side note Durham Soap were inspired to start making and start their new business after using Oakwood's products for years)

Be wary of the cheap melt and pour type soap (It's the kind of translucent stuff) which is made from mass produce glycerin and is not organic or eco-friendly no matter what the makers tell you.

kayla - thanks. I've been looking at Youtube vids showing the cold process method, it now doesn't seem quite so scary!

Be wary of the cheap melt and pour type soap (It’s the kind of translucent stuff) which is made from mass produce glycerin and is not organic or eco-friendly no matter what the makers tell you.

mickyfinn interesting, where can I find out more?

I'm interested in having a go at cold process too, the chemical bit doesn't really phase me but I'm really impatient! Where's my stuff!?!?!?1?? 😆

I'm a big fan of Pears soap. Have been using it for years now. Usually works out at around 60p a bar; lasts an age, smells good and doesn't 'sludge' as much as most others.

Also struggling to find a decent travel soap dish…
The Boots one linked above is similar to most that I have found, and not really suitable. The overlap between the top and bottom half is only around 1mm, so if packed in a bag there is very little holding the two sides together if any sideways force goes through it. They are hugely oversized, so most normal bars rattle around and the plastic is also rather brittle and prone to cracking.
I used to have a travel dish where one side went fully inside the second side, the plastic was also slightly softer, because of this, and that the size could be adjusted slightly by reducing/increasing the overlap, it was also less rattley. It unfortunately got left in a hotel room.

I have scoured ebay/amazon and high street shops for something similar, and all I can find are ones similar to the Boots one.

we are currently cleaning out the sludge from the dish if needed............

soap wise, palm oil free, Lomondsoap.com get my vote.

Go Old Skool

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I’m interested in having a go at cold process too, the chemical bit doesn’t really phase me but I’m really impatient! Where’s my stuff!?!?!?1??

I hear you, 12 weeks curing time will seem like an eternity! I watched 3 Youtube vids, one featured a lady from TheSoapKitchen online retailer and the others featured a man who set up his own soap making business. Whilst the lady was shown struggling with this massive stockpot the man was only making an ice cream container sized quantity in his own kitchen. He used an electric whisk whilst she used a manual whisk for quite a while.

It's expensive to start with from what I can see, a heavy-bottomed stainless steel stockpot for minimum £40 then either a wooden mould with wire cutter or a cutter on its own plus safety glasses. I think I'll get tooth powder, mouthwash and deodorant out of the way first!

I do seem to buy a large amount and variety of soap. Probably have enough to last for years. I've started using birch tar soap, which you can get via EBay from Ukraine. Postage is surprisingly quick.