I know, boring but your recommendation would be helpful....

[PaperFlyingFucks]

I'm looking to swap from hand wash/shower gels back to soap and soap dish but want to prevent the sludgy soap dish memories of my youth.

I'm between two options. Both are Joseph Joseph - if you have either of these or use a great alternative, I'd like your review please.

Joseph Joseph option 1

Joseph Joseph option 2

Also, in the same vein I'd like to explore shampoo/conditioner bars. If you use these, recommendations would be welcome too.

Thanks!

Ooh I can answer some of this!

We have your option 2 dish. We use it for shampoo bars (the lush ones). It’s a big improvement on a flat tray which made them go all sludgy. The liquid drains away into the bottom bit and it’s easy to dismantle every now and again and rinse out the sludge from the bottom section. Keeps the bars good for much longer. I really like it - it’s simple and small and fits the lush shampoo bars perfectly. Could probably use for a larger size too though it’s fairly small so might be a bit awkward for a large soap.

My DH likes the shampoo bars more than I do - I used them for a while but after a few years I’ve switched back to bottled shampoo. They’re ok, I never tried the conditioner ones. He mostly picks them based on what smell he likes!

They look lovely but do they drain? If not I can imagine you'll still get the sludge 😬
I've got these and find the soap doesn't get soft and they are easy to clean.

www.amazon.co.uk/Anti-Slide-Bathroom-Accessories-Silicone-Rectangular/dp/B08WWS4PN6/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?crid=7J6GD8YCNKBM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a5j-38uUAbYeMnr7ca6zkgBdwYAaGrztqfE8uHNexJX4ZdTVYmrGvBtjc-awsv7vxnpQeFn5_3tfjCnY8HhuAc-5hXRx1qQMlp40O-SsU90p-e-H47ck2rbF44E-b32LtGoE_iWIm8LSCiT6A0VDYHIKm7aOE9teeo8LGLepuVnzstEZeYTMUNg-VenTZbKpSwpHLuK-nw2viV_BRfP1zw.gfQjQQLGUWoKUbriD7bx1isJh8-d3WUd9E-W6ZCiPSQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=soap+dish+with+drainage&qid=1783854635&sprefix=soap+dish%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-17

Sorry for huge link 😂

I found the draining ones to be really hard work to clean, I would end up having to use the tile brush to get into all the grooves. We have basic ceramic ones that are smooth, annoying to tip the water out but they only need a wipe to be clean again.

https://www.lakeland.co.uk/products/silicone-soap-saver-dish-with-draining-spout
I have this one. It's not the most glamorous looking but it drains well and because it's silicone is really easy to wipe clean.

Yes, they drain - the top part slopes down and in the bottom of the “valley” there’s a small slit which allows the liquid to drain into the large contained section underneath. The top part lifts off like prising a lid off a Tupperware, sort of, v easy but it doesn’t just lift off by mistake. Then you can rinse the liquid away. We have ours in the shower so maybe once a week I’ll take the bar out, pop it on the side, and rinse out the dish to clean it while I’m showering. Dead easy.

I also like it because the sludge doesn’t drain out freely onto the surface below and make a mess of the rest of the shower / sink / whatever. It’s wholly self contained.

The video on Amazon shows the drainage slit here - there’s no fiddly grooves or anything like that. V easy to rinse clean.

I have a magnetic soap holder (sorry I couldn’t work out how to do a tidy link but there’s several online). It has a simple suction grip with magnet, then a metal round flat ‘claw’ piece that presses into the soap so that it effectively hangs in mid air. Hence always dry & no sludge. Mine was German by a brand called Savont & is excellent although I’ve also seen French brands. I bought it whilst ordering some soaps but can’t remember the website now. It’s made a big improvement to shower area storage in particular.

Boring, but definitely quietly pleasing.

Doesn't the basin or the bath have a built-in recess on the side next to the taps for somewhere to keep soap?

I don't think I've seen this for years, think they stopped manufacturing them like this decades ago

This very cheap and surprisingly durable gadget keeps the soap completely dry, with no sludge. Just run it under the hot tap occasionally to clean it.
https://amzn.eu/d/0isbZ5Ss

I treated myself to a couple of those and I love them!
Ed to say I got mine from amazon

We had one that sounds similar back in the 70's.
I want one now! Ours had a thing that attached it to the wall above the sink.

I have a little mesh drawstring bag that hangs from a hook just pop the soap in when I've finished using it and it hangs there and dries until next time.

I find 'nope' shampoo and conditioner bars to be excellent, I wouldn't personally go back to bottles now. They last ages and have improved my scalp health. They do different storage dishes, I use the diatomite fast dry dish to keep them dry between uses.
https://howaboutnope.com/collections/hair

I’ve the second one. You still get a sludgy soap dish but it collects in the bottom tray so you just need to clean it when you’re cleaning the bathroom.

I like these, and Amazon showed lots of other types in different colours.

My mum has used these for years. Not sure why they went out of fashion as they’re very sensible and maintenance free.

We have these and they’re excellent https://www.dunelm.com/product/wire-suction-soap-dish-1000243607?defaultSkuId=30890521&branchCode=0490&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Bath_Soft+%26+Accessories_%5BGOO-LIA+PSB-BATHACCESS-BATH%5D&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1585702502&gbraid=0AAAAADGqyX2lJDiKCDiBZ0FYoqTfH518O&gclid=CjwKCAjw9szSBhBNEiwAC57Sq165nNHiBZnWxkJc_1fKc6w56H0cfJmnOAMjkrk2JONQaXJpePlV7BoC610QAvD_BwE

I think those silicone ones look great. I'm tempted to get some myself.

In terms of shampoo bars I use this one and it's brilliant: https://amzn.to/4aQbFf5 they also do lots of different versions depending on your hair type. I've got the tin designed for them too which is useful as it also has an inner metal section with holes to help the bar dry out after use.

We had the Joseph Joseph toothbrush holder that matched your option 1 and I have just got rid of it as the metal part rusted very badly, which was disappointing. So I would avoid option 1 for that reason.

I have yet to find one that works.

My (expensive!) hand made soaps sit on a DIY solution of a beer bottle cap pressed firmly into the underside. They drain beautifully and are completely unobtrusive.

Not read all replies but those two, I believe, are exactly the same, just different colours. I only know because we’ve had them both. Currently got the silver one and love it. It drains well into the bottom so the soap dries and you just pull it apart to clean.

https://amzn.eu/d/00YTki0f

You just need a few of these. If you lose the little disc you can replace it with a beer bottle cap (particularly useful to change it if the soap is big and heavy, bottle tops are deeper and stronger).

I think I got mine on Alibaba, but same item. They're the best ones, sticky pad never fails or you can drill them on.