AIBU: handsoap?

[Dottdoo]

What's the view?

Is it unreasonable to switch to a bar of soap instead of pump dispensing handwash in bathrooms and kitchen? I made the switch in our ensuite and it's lasted yonks. Plus no plastic to throw away and storing bars of soap is easier. I'm converted.

But I can't help thinking would guests be thinking 'ewww no hand-wash in the bathroom only a bar of soap, this is disgusting?'

Plus is a bar of soap as hygienic for washing hands in the kitchen?

YABU - ewwww gross, save the planet but do it with clean hands at least and without weirding out visitors
YANBU - it's soap - does the same job, do it! I might do it now too! Or/ I already do this.

So I think the overall consensus is that:

• Bar soap is fine - handwash is soooo 90s and for the immune weak
• Some guests (most likely born post 1990) may be weirded out by it, so they will be allocated liquid soap. After ID'ing guests at the door I shall remind older people back in their day they made do with bar soap so that's what's been allocated to them. People born in 1980s are a grey area - they should be provided with both options
• Ensure all family members understand not to put the bar soap on the basin up their arse (I will double check their intentions before purchase because 'you never know')
• Kitchen bar soap is still up for debate! But I'm going to assume it's also not to be used for cleaning any region that isn't attached to your arms
• put a bar of soap under my bedsheet because....well no one knows why yet
• whatever I do - I must replace dried cracked soap immediately or risk being socially ostracised
• oh and while soap is just as effective at hand cleaning as liquid soap is - it is a bit 'ewwww' if you've been handling meat. However, fairy liquid is always an option.

Got it!

I am quite intrigued to see if the votes match the comments.

But from the comments feels like bar soap is the clear winner

I do appreciate the lively and often at times down right hilarious debate - whether intended or not - its been much fun to sit down and read in one sitting!

You could go soaper posh (couldn't resist!) And get one of those french rotating soap things James Martin has in his kitchen. If it's good enough for a chef 🤷‍♀️

[quote Powaqa]@GoogleWhacked - there is a home remedy that says putting a bar of soap at the bottom of your bed will stop you from getting night cramps.
I suffered terribly until I did this and now I don't.

I know a lot of people who say it works but there are some who have said it didnt work for them - I'm just grateful I no longer get them.

You do have to replace the soap every couple of months[/quote]
I do this too as I get terrible cramps in my feet. So I keep the leftover bars of soap when they are thin, and put one or two into my sock when I feel a twinge coming on.

I don't know why, but it works.

Thank you @Powaqa and @isthismylifenow
Definitely something I need to investigate!!

I'm starting to wonder if you're the person I buy my soap from @CandidaAlbicans78 I always buy lovely goats milk soap from a small farm in the UK. I find I smell much fresher after a long day when I use that too.

The Savon Marseille mentioned by pp upthread is another favourite from our local market, I buy it bare with no packaging and just pop it in my shopping bag. Marseille soap can be used for everything due to what's in it, you can even handwash clothes with it in a pinch, provided you don't get one with colouring in it. The Cassis fragrance is lovely.

@EatSleepRantRepeat

I'm starting to wonder if you're the person I buy my soap from *@CandidaAlbicans78* I always buy lovely goats milk soap from a small farm in the UK. I find I smell much fresher after a long day when I use that too.

The Savon Marseille mentioned by pp upthread is another favourite from our local market, I buy it bare with no packaging and just pop it in my shopping bag. Marseille soap can be used for everything due to what's in it, you can even handwash clothes with it in a pinch, provided you don't get one with colouring in it. The Cassis fragrance is lovely.

The lavender one is also lovely. I put all mine in a large glass jar - they look and smell so nice before they are used!

incognitoforthisone I don’t understand how you even think my hands would be bacteria ridden in this situation.

You enter the toilet and shut the door.
You pull down outer clothes and then your undies via their sides, not touching interior material.
You crouch above the toilet seat not touching it and ensuring no clothing does.
You do a wee.
You grab a big ball of toilet paper and dab so no way any urine drop residue will go through.
You stand up, pull up undies and clothes, touching outsides of them.
You take a some toilet paper and use it to cover flush button while you push it and drop it in so it also flushes away.
You exit using the door.

The only issue could possibly be the door handle but theoretically if others wash hands or everyone does what you do then their hands would be clean before leaving toilet area so no issue with toilet door handle. If it’s people I know that I’m satisfied are clean I’m happy with that. If I’m at someone’s house where I don’t really know their standards or lots of guests etc then I use hand sanitiser after leaving toilet (always did in that scenario pre Covid), it has always lived in my handbag.

As for being at home, I don’t bother with all of that. I poo at home. I sit on my own toilet seat, I don’t use an enormous amount of toilet paper after dripping dry from a wee and yes, I wash my hands with pump pack soap. Also all my taps, except for shower, are proper flick taps and I’ve always taught my kids how to work them with their arms, same with pump pack soaps.

I won’t use bars of soap.

@PinkSyCo

We managed to wash our hands in other peoples houses/public toilets without throwing up before the invention of hand wash didn’t we?

Exactly this. For many a year.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER

Bar soap is ‘eww’?

I think I have now seen the height of MN hygiene-freak lunacy.

I couldn't agree more. I've no idea on what planet bar soap is considered unhygienic!

I've only ever heard of Americans being grossed out by soap.

I've no idea why people think bar soap is unhygienic? You're not using the same soap as the previous person. That layer is washed away.