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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH and I disagree about Soap 😳

630 replies

anotherdaytosmile · 13/06/2026 12:27

DH has put a fresh bar of soap out today, his trusty Imperial Leather. He thinks it’s a classy soap based on his childhood perspective in the late 1970s. I think it’s one step up from carbolic. I want Jo Malone soap 😢

AIBU - imperial leather is pure luxury
AINBU - what next, waxy toilet paper?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
ruethewhirl · 13/06/2026 12:42

UhOhRatPoo · 13/06/2026 12:35

Your husband should know that the properly classy 1970s soap was Camay, not Imperial Leather. I used to love those ads with the ladies all covered in foam!

When I was little I had to be instructed that there was more to washing one’s face than rubbing lather dreamily into each cheek, because of those ads. 😄

BitDrizzly · 13/06/2026 12:42

Does he still wear Brut (Old Spice for special occasions) like my dad ? 😆

Shedmistress · 13/06/2026 12:41

I hate the smell of soaps. So team handwash for me.

TheyGrewUp · 13/06/2026 12:41

I don't mind Imperial Leather; or Palmolive. I miss the days when the shelves were sruffed with different soaps: Lux, Camay, Shield and a plethora of supermarket own in colours to match the bathroom!

Treat soap here is good French soap, Marseille or L'Occitane. I don't get the love for Jo Malone.

Whatever the soap, I still like unwrapping a brand new bar.

Agree with you both having your favourote soap.

Sporadica · 13/06/2026 12:40

Buy and use the soap you like and let him do the same. Since you're married, you're most likely not eight. "Classy" is a meaningless word in comparative context:it may imply that the soap is somehow intrinsically related to the concept of socio-economic class, but not the specific class it relates to in his mind.

ruethewhirl · 13/06/2026 12:40

Marycontrarygarden · 13/06/2026 12:35

Bar soap? That everyone uses? Ugh

Yes, to get their hands clean. And your problem is…?

Lexy2345 · 13/06/2026 12:39

I wouldn’t share a bar of soap with anyone.

tarheelbaby · 13/06/2026 12:39

Is @imperialblether still on MN? ...

ClaudiaWankleman · 13/06/2026 12:38

Marycontrarygarden · 13/06/2026 12:35

Bar soap? That everyone uses? Ugh

  1. It is self-cleaning.
  2. They are a married couple. The other things they probably do together are inevitably messier.
anotherdaytosmile · 13/06/2026 12:38

MyballsareSandy2015 · 13/06/2026 12:36

I’ll never even consider giving DH a BJ unless he’s used imperial leather on his nethers … so I’m team DH. Sorry!

Well, not showing him this. Might give him ideas.

OP posts:
UhOhRatPoo · 13/06/2026 12:38

gamerchick · 13/06/2026 12:31

Why can't you have both?

Husband loves IL but we won't buy it as the cat goes mad licking the bath after his shower. Doesn't happen with any other soap.

Well, that is not a reply I was expecting to see!

anotherdaytosmile · 13/06/2026 12:37

Marycontrarygarden · 13/06/2026 12:35

Bar soap? That everyone uses? Ugh

Just me and him in the bath. Are we mingers?

OP posts:
tarheelbaby · 13/06/2026 12:36

Poor chap, do let him have his own soap at least.
DH was an IL man and I have found it to be excellent for shifting stains on laundry.
Just buy the kind of soap you like and put it where you want it. If your DH dares to use some of your soap, generously share with your life partner ...

Squirrelchops1 · 13/06/2026 12:36

You are being unreasonable spunking all that money on Jo Malone.

Flannelfeet · 13/06/2026 12:36

I absolutely love the smell of pears soap, reminds me of my childhood 🥰.

Keep meaning to buy that French soap, it looks lovely.

anotherdaytosmile · 13/06/2026 12:36

DoAWheelie · 13/06/2026 12:30

Just get a double sided soap dish and have a bar each. There is no reason why you can't both have what you prefer.

I genuinely never thought of that. You should work in the diplomatic core

OP posts:
MyballsareSandy2015 · 13/06/2026 12:36

I’ll never even consider giving DH a BJ unless he’s used imperial leather on his nethers … so I’m team DH. Sorry!

UhOhRatPoo · 13/06/2026 12:35

Your husband should know that the properly classy 1970s soap was Camay, not Imperial Leather. I used to love those ads with the ladies all covered in foam!

Marycontrarygarden · 13/06/2026 12:35

anotherdaytosmile · 13/06/2026 12:27

DH has put a fresh bar of soap out today, his trusty Imperial Leather. He thinks it’s a classy soap based on his childhood perspective in the late 1970s. I think it’s one step up from carbolic. I want Jo Malone soap 😢

AIBU - imperial leather is pure luxury
AINBU - what next, waxy toilet paper?

Bar soap? That everyone uses? Ugh

TotHappy · 13/06/2026 12:34

I like Pears. It turns you into a beautiful princess.

123teenagerfood · 13/06/2026 12:34

FinallyHere · 13/06/2026 12:31

Came here to say this!

Borborygmus · 13/06/2026 12:34

Imperial Leather is fine.

ColdAsAWitches · 13/06/2026 12:31

You buy yours and let him use his. Ffs.

gamerchick · 13/06/2026 12:31

Why can't you have both?

Husband loves IL but we won't buy it as the cat goes mad licking the bath after his shower. Doesn't happen with any other soap.