Chicago Home and Lifestyles – 7 tricks for using your old bar soap

Many of us have switched to liquid soap for washing our hands and bodies. But it wasn’t all that long ago we were using bar soap—and almost everyone in the family used the same kind, in the bath, shower and sink. What if I told you it’s still good to hang onto some of that old-fashioned soap? It has many uses you might not think of, like:

Pre-treating laundry for stains. Just wet the bar well and rub directly on stains. There is a brand called Fels Naphtha soap that is especially effective on all sorts of stains, especially on kids’ clothes. Anyone with a Little Leaguer is familiar. 

Freshening up closets, drawers and storage spaces. Wrap the soap in a sock or a piece of muslin and secure with a string or rubber band. Place it where you want a light, fresh scent. The fragrance will permeate the space gently. It’s eco-friendly and better than chemical laden fresheners. Lavender or eucalyptus soap will also deter pests and add a calming scent.

Quick fixes on clothes and around the house. Remember Grandma using soap on zippers? I do! Rub a dry bar of soap along the teeth of any zipper, clothes or bags, and watch it work effortlessly. Bar soap also works well on annoying squeaks around the house. Glide it on the edges of doors, floorboards, drawers or windows. 

Temporarily fixing leaks. Soap is oily and repels water and will adhere to surfaces of different shapes and materials. Wet a piece of soap and press it firmly on the leak or around the pipe fitting and smooth it out. It will stop the leak till a proper repair is made!

Repelling pests. Strong scented bar soap like Irish Spring can be a great critter deterrent in the garden. Hang several around the garden in mesh bags. It will tell those deer and rabbits that this is no place for them! Bar soap also repels many different bugs around the home and yard. 

Holding sewing needles. If you sew at home, the soap will keep your needles sharp and rust free. The soup lubricates needles making them glide though fabric easily. It can also be used to mark fabric. 

Quick and easy wall repair and cleaning. Fill minor nail holes with grated soap. The bar itself will remove scuff marks easily.

Do you have any hacks using old fashioned bar soap?

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago