Cunning uses for the humble bar of soap

The humble bar of soap is often overlooked by it’s flashy cousins; liquid soap and body wash. However, if you do have a spare bar of soap in your house, it is useful for so much more than just getting your hands clean.

Soap is actually quite the little multi-purpose household item. Try using it in the following ways to save you time and money and make your life a little greener!

Natural bug repellant for indoor and outdoor plants

Grate half a bar of soap and mix the shavings into water. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and spray generously on the undersides of leaves to keep insects at bay.

Bug bites

Before you race off to the first aid kid for antihistamine cream to sooth a bug bite; rub a dampened piece of soap on top of the bites for a few seconds. Instant relief!

Drawer freshener

Leave a bar of soap in your drawers to keep clothes smelling fresh. This method works well to prevent musty odours in wardrobes and luggage as well.

Stain remover

If you have a tough stain that just won’t budge, pre-treat it with soap. Try rubbing a damp bar of white soap on the fabric. Let it dry then wash off as usual.

Shoe saver

Stinky shoes are quickly tamed by leaving a bar of soap in each shoe overnight. Take it out in the morning and they’ll smell as good as new!

Pincushion

Wrap a bar of soap in a thin piece of fabric and secure in place with a cute ribbon, using it as a pincushion. The soap also makes needles easier to stick in fabric.

Zip zapper

The next time your zip is stuck, slide some bar soap up and down the back side of the zipper and it will loosen in no time.

Nail cleaner

Before you do garden work, scrape your fingernails along the side of a bar of soap. The soap the collects under your fingernails won’t allow dirt to cake there, and helps prevent nail casualties. After you’re finished, the soap washes out much easier than dirt does!