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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To use bar soap instead of liquid handsoap

270 replies

Honeybee85 · 22/05/2020 12:38

Liquid handsoap is sold out completely, at every shop here (we live outside the UK).
Bar soap is still widely available though for the same price as it was before (unfortunately that doesn't apply to liquid handsanitizer, this has become 3 times more expensive then it was before).

I still have enough handsoap left for about 2 weeks use, but I'm afraid there still won't be any available after we run out of our current supply. I was planning to buy bar soap to put by the sink in the toilet but DH thinks it's grim to use bar soap for washing hands after toilet use. He says we better buy shower gel and use that instead.
I'm thinking that won't do the cleansing job as good as bar soap.

AIBU to think it's fine to use bar soap in the toilet?

YABU : it's grim, use showergel

YANBU : don't worry, it's fine to use bar soap

OP posts:
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6
Sakura7 · 25/05/2020 17:56

Makes sense begoniapot

I was in Tesco yesterday and they had loads of signs up in the toiletries aisle reminding people that bar soap and shower gel are just as effective as handwash.

Branster · 26/05/2020 05:57

It got even better. DH underwent the same cleansing after he made sure my hands had not rotten off after using the toilet (and soap) for a second time!
😂😂 😂
It’s a question of habit, isn’t it?! I grew up with bars of soap and have avoided liquid soap for ages. I know they do the same job but I feel cleaner using a bar of soap.
We have a built in soap dispenser in the kitchen, this is where we usually wash hands as we come in to the house. I put a bar of soap next to it and am only using that since the pandemic started. Everyone else continues to use liquid soap because it looks and feels cleaner to them. They are perfectly capable of using soap bars but it’s some perception we each have.
At least we all have access to some form of soap!

Original poster
Honeybee85 · 26/05/2020 09:37

Yes you're right!

I must say after using the bar soap for a few days, my hands do feel cleaner after washing in comparison to liquid soap. And less dry so that's a huge advantage!

Today I went to a bigger shop to buy some things and went over to check their section of bar soaps. Found some lovely Lux rode scented soapbars that I will try next. My grandmother always used this brand so it felt very nostalgic to buy them.

There was still plenty of bar soap left and opposite the section was a huge rack that was nearly empty, only 3 bottles of liquid soap left there. Appearently the shop managed to purchase a stash in the past days and I saw a lady rushing over and grabbing a bottle as if it were a voucher for a date with Channing Tatum. The bottle of liquid soap was twice as expensive as the package of Lux soap that contains 6 bars and I thought to myself that probably the liquid one would be finished in 2 weeks whilst I am pretty sure that the Lux package will last us 2 months at least if we use it by the 3 sinks in our home for just washing hands.

OP posts:
Original poster
Honeybee85 · 26/05/2020 09:40

Rose scented not rode scented!
Must stop thinking about date with CT.

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 26/05/2020 09:43

Since using bar soap I’ve found my hands haven’t been so dry and sore

greathat · 26/05/2020 11:48

I switched to bar soap to reduce plastic use. DH insists on liquid soap still much to my annoyance but at least it lasts longer now

Pleasenodont · 26/05/2020 11:49

Bar soap is gross, I could never use it. Everyone has rubbed it all over their dirty hands before you, it’s definitely not hygienic. Sharing a bar of soap in the bath is even more grim.

Redleathertrousers · 26/05/2020 12:11

Bar soap is fine. People get a bit precious about it is all. I use bar soap as I prefer it, lasts longer and therefore makes more economical sense and is also better environmentally. I use it for bathroom sink and have another for in the shower.

Original poster
Honeybee85 · 26/05/2020 12:19

@Pleasenodont DH was saying that too but actually it doesn't make sense imo.
If you touch the soap with wet hands or hold it in your hands under running water, the outer layer, the part that you touched with dirty hands, is washed away, and cleanses your hands when the soap mixes with water. So the soap you put back has a new clean surface.

OP posts:
ambereeree · 26/05/2020 12:25

If people think it's gross to share bar soap why every family member have their own? I only have liquid soap in the guest bathroom. As a family we share bar soap for washing hands.

MulticolourMophead · 26/05/2020 12:27

Bar soap is gross, I could never use it. Everyone has rubbed it all over their dirty hands before you, it’s definitely not hygienic. Sharing a bar of soap in the bath is even more grim.

When you pick up a bar of soap, it's clean. Because the previous poerson held it under running water and rubbed the bar to get lather, therefore cleaning germs off. Also, soap kills germs by destroying their outer layer. The only slight issue is people not cleaning any stray hairs, but I taught my DC to check a soap before they finish washing their hands.

OTOH, I feel that it's liquid soap bottles that are the real germ holders. People touch the pump and bottle with dirty hands, and I'll guarantee very few people think to wash the pump or bottle. Any germs on it will end up multiplying in the nozzle, which will be a suitable, moist area for them.

Bar soap is far more hygenic.

e1y1 · 26/05/2020 12:30

Always used bar soap. Liquid soap for guests

longtompot · 26/05/2020 13:06

I have been using bar soap on and off for about a year. It doesn't matter which one I buy, handmade or mass produced, they all crack. The kitchen one is used lots and is the worst cracked one :( I have an old scallop shell from a M&S dine in for two Valentines meal which I use as a soap dish.

I get the blistery eczema someone mentioned above so will look up the soap they use and see how that affects my hands.

I used to love Camay and Lux soaps. I thought they were the height of sophistication back in the 80s Grin I also loved the smell of Zest with its stripy solid and clear coloured soap. It was very citrusy.

Branster · 26/05/2020 22:55

I forgot about Lux soap - my grandma used to have it sometimes and it feel like some sort of luxury experience. I used to imagine all the beautiful actresses in the movies only used fancy soaps. Until I came across a Bulgari soap and that was one other universe.
Then I grew up and decided I only want to use plain non-scented soap.
I must start diversifying.
I’m not a fan of all these pretty soaps, the craft hand made with love types. I appreciate it is an art in itself but they simply do not give that clean feeling. They’re nice to look, some smell really nice but they don’t do anything for me in practical terms.

wenhen11 · 26/05/2020 23:01

Definitely prefer bar soap, started to use it ages ago to cut down on plastic and it lasts even longer than liquid handsoap

Sootybear · 26/05/2020 23:12

I put both in my bathroom. I use the bar soap, someone definitely uses the liquid soap as I'm always replacing it. Bar soap feels cleaner to me, although in a hard water area the basin needs scrubbing more. Put the soap on a proper dish and if you use it every day it shouldn't crack. I think I've got pearl soap, but also use pears.

DKanin · 26/05/2020 23:18

Bar soap is better value but I can only use liquid soap or my fingers crack and bleed badly. For me it's worth it for what I save in prescription creams to sort my fingers out!

cheeseychovolate · 26/05/2020 23:36

I've converted to bar soap and my hands are in so much better condition

stardance · 26/05/2020 23:45

We used liquid soap for years, but when everyone was panic buying and we couldn't buy soap of any sort in the shops, I dug out some bars of soap that were given to us in a hamper when DS was born (he's 11!) It's Johnson's baby soap and it's lovely. Seems to be much kinder on my skin.

Haffiana · 26/05/2020 23:49

Bar soap (except Dove which is detergent) is made of actual soap. Liquid soap aka handwash or shower gel, is made of detergent.

That is why bar soap cleans better and is milder. Liquid soap is the same as fairy liquid, but more dilute and has additives that stay on your skin so that they feel 'soft'. If you have sensitive skin, those additives can cause issues, and detergents in general can cause dryness and soreness.

maddy68 · 26/05/2020 23:56

I will use bar soap as it's way more eco friendly have done for a few years

FlamingoPoet · 27/05/2020 01:20

Another one here that can’t get how you got to this being a question. You’re right of course, soap is soap.
I’m fact, liquid soap is far less hygienic (unless of course you sanitise the dispenser after every use).

I always wish my husband was cleaner, I’m not sure I’d ever want him to take it that far Hmm

TheUnquestionedAnswer · 27/05/2020 07:45

Another bar baby here. Started about 4 bars ago so quite a while. First one was L'occitane which did crack funnily enough, then I was given a blue Lush bar, didn't last that long but was really gorgeous. I'm on a bodyshop shea bar (another gift) at the moment. I have a really lovely honey soap in the kitchen. There is only me here so it's not a problem with sharing. I don't think I will ever need to buy hand soap again. I must have about10 bars of it that were gifted to me or that I bought because I liked the packaging (TK/Homesense Grin)

I haven't tried the shampoo bar I bought from Lush yet, but should run out of my shampoo soon so I will be doing that. Oh and for those wishing to cut down on single use plastics, Lush do deodorant blocks that you just rub on. I'm going to try that once the shops are open again.

Figmentofmyimagination · 27/05/2020 07:52

Surely when you press down on the handle of a plastic liquid soap dispenser, your hand is likely to be covered in germs. Hopefully people do a really thorough wash each time and not just a cursory one, or else it really is too gross to think too hard about.

Bar soap every time for me - but I originally made the change to cut down on plastic.

Rockbird · 27/05/2020 08:56

I'm just adding to my shop and need to buy more soap as we're on our last bar (Dove, didn't know that wasn't soap).

I'm awash with nostalgia. Pears, Shield, Imperial Leather, Palmolive, Wright's... I feel like I'm in my grandmother's house and I want to buy all of them