Soap instead of shower gel

[Firstaidnovice]

Just wanted to say that based on a thread I read on here probably a few months ago, I swapped my shower gel for soap (I think the original thread was about deodorant, as OP felt a bit whiffy not long after showering, but lots of people recommended switching shower gel for soap instead).
Anyway, the difference is remarkable! I went to a stupidly hot soft play with DS at the weekend, where I had to follow him round the bloody playframe for an hour, (which is a whole other thread!), and still felt pretty fresh that evening, which I never would have been before. Same for the mornings, I usually wake up feeling a bit stinky because I seem to get very hot overnight, but no more! I'm just using Simple soap bars, two for £1. Amazing!

They did not! Cold cream all the way maybe with a splash of water after

I wash my face with simple soap. I’ve tried other face washes and soaps but I always come back to simple.

I wash my face with soap. other cleanser or wipes trigger my eczema.

I can just about get away with using Waitrose sensitive but only every now and again.

I've been washing my face with soap, skins mikes better !

I was in a medium branch of boots yesterday and thought I would have a look to see what choice of soap they had.
I couldn't find it!
Finally asked an assistant...

Soap was in aisle with, of course, the shower gels, body washes, bath foam etc.
I counted the sections and shelves in the aisle (in defence of my nerdiness, I was waiting for a prescription to be dispensed).
6 sections of 6 shelves on both sides.
So 72 units of display, of which 3 had soap on them.

3 out of 72!
And one of those 3 little shelf units contained only Dove bars.

Interesting that Boots don't do any own brand soap bars

Great thread!
I’ve also decided to ditch the shower gel and pump hand soaps, so I took a trip to TK Maxx yesterday... Two large, lucious bars later and a proper soap shower this morning, I’m a convert!
I got Castelbel one with Dead Sea mud and sea salts (smells divine) £3.99 for a massive bar, and an Italian bar of fig soap made with olive oil for £2.99.
Thanks mumsnetters, I’ve now got a new obsession!

I've just donated my last two bottles of shower gel to DH. Told him I'd put them in the main bathroom for him. (He will use anything! I don't want them as they don't smell of anything and I'm dying to get using my soaps). He has just tried to tell me that soap will be worse for the drains.

My shower drain blocks regularly so it will be interesting to see if using soap makes a difference.

Why does he think soap would be worse for the drains?

He reckons it will solidify. I disagree.

Soap definitely solidifies in the drain. It's a real problem in this house!

If you think about the thick scum that you have to clear from the soap dish, you'll easily imagine what's going on down the drain!

We have to Sue bullet drain cleaner regularly. Unfortunately it's melted our plug hole a bit I wish DH would put his bar of filthy soap away to be honest.

Never had drain problems here and used it for a long time now.

I have two words for all you soap addicts- CUSSONS PEARL! oh my, it's lovely! Found it in Wilkos, 4 for a pound.

You can clean soap scum from your drains in several ways. ... Clean with baking soda: Mix baking soda and water in a measuring cup and pour it down the drain. Use the ratio of 1 teaspoon of baking soda per 1 gallon of water on the first attempt just googled

I find it's hair that clogs the drains. I keep a crochet hook in the bathroom solely for poking down the drain to hoik the clotted hair out.

It's curiously satisfying, if rather stinky.

Can't you just buy a hair catcher for the plug?

Please don't tell me he is likely to be right! I'll never hear the end of it!

My shower drain blocks fairly regularly anyway and I use drain unblocker stuff. Will try bicarb though. Much less chemically. Think I'll order a big pack to keep in bathroom and do regularly.

Tried swapping gor soap on Wednesday and I'm amazed at the difference! I struggle with hot/cold flushes (thyroid issues) and often find myself feeling sweaty not long after my shower. Recently I noticed I'd started to smell a little when sweating too. 3 days of soap later and I definitely sweat a bit less and, more importantly, if I do sweat I can just smell soap and my deodorant, not a sweaty smell!

Thanks so much for this thread!

OP. I buy natural Savon de Marseille soap, or better still natural Alep soap for H. The Alep has disinfecting capacity & seems to slow down the bacteria /sweat stink. Plus he absolutely must use deodorant. if not he smells 😧
I had a hard time making him obey! In the end I removed all other products & so he didn’t have a choice.

I suppose I could Needling but, like I said, I find the crochet hook strangely satisfying

Sorry, Needing not Needling

I would also like to thank the OP for this post and previous post as I too have become a soap convert. It's so nice to smell clean all day long and not detect a hint of sweaty smell even when I've been too hot/worn man-made fibres/sweated when doing sports. I need to get a soap holder for the shower my DD's use and get them converted onto soap as I suspect this will make a big difference as they develop through puberty.

Just made my first batch of homemade soap - a bit scary and I'll have to wait 6 weeks before I can use it - I have to stop myself peeking at it!

We have also just made the switch (inspired by previous thread) and it has made a huge difference! DH (who is usually remarkably un-smelly) has been getting a bit smelly recently, but since switching to soap he is back to his lovely fresh self. I just wish I had known about this when I was in the middle of the post-partum summer sweatfest last year.

We bought the basic soap in Sainsbury's (4 for about 50p, I think) - works a treat.

I'm not sure how soap can clog drains thinking about it- if you add water to soap flakes or bits in a bottle,it doesn't solidify as there's so much water ( flashbacks to making bubble bath as a child)

Popped into the chemist and came out with a 3 pack of imperial leather for £1.