Question Make New Bar Soap Out of Left Over

**frugalityisgood** · 01-20-2008, 02:38 AM

Does anyone have any tips on how to make new bar soap out of the left over tiny pieces? I usually just stick them to a new bar and use them up that way. But I was curious if there's a way to make completely new bars.

**AmeliaM** · 01-20-2008, 08:03 AM

If you can dissolve them in water (enough to get soft but not liquid) you could form them. I put slivers in a jar w hot water and shook it-ended up w a of soft foamy soap...but it still worked.I just took out a bit at a time w my fingers.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 01-20-2008, 09:12 AM

I put the slivers into a pantyhose leg by our hose bib. That way folks working in the garden can wash up out side and it doesn't end up in the dirt. That bar seems to disappear as fast as others in the house.

Laurie in Bradenton

**Lady_V** · 01-20-2008, 09:33 AM

I have done the 'soap on a rope' with DD, it's easy because we could use store bought (or left over) soap.

Old Man is the body soap maker in the house, and he's already off to work today, but I know when has the 'little bits' he 'remills' (or something like that) them and makes a new bar.

He grates up the old soap and melts them in a saucepan we have for non-food uses. When it's liquid again, he pours them in to a soap mold.

We have to wait a few weeks before we can use them because they have to dry out.

**Tater** · 01-20-2008, 01:35 PM

I make "soap socks" for the kids. I have a pair of old, clean socks that I put soap slivers in. When they have a bunch in there, I tie the end and let the kids use them like a washcloth. They love it! When the soap runs out, I put them in the laundry, and start over! Uses the soap pieces without actually having to take the time to make "new" soap.

**perSue** · 01-20-2008, 01:43 PM

you can also learn a little from homemade candle making.
using a double boiler... or a coffee can in a pan w/water on low heat (yes patience is required), you can put all the soaps in the coffee can and "melt" them together.

or if you have a metal cookie cutter, put some foil on the "bottom" of the cutter, and place in a shallow pan (still with a little water) and "melt" them into shapes.

and it's soap, so it's clean. and it'll clean the cutters too!

**Mom23boys** · 01-20-2008, 01:58 PM

I just read a tip on how to make new soap from soap slivers in a frugal book. They said to "save all your soap slivers and put them in the microwave to melt. Pour this now liquid soap into a dispenser or melt the soap in a smaller container and let it harden into a new bar of soap."

**acidcookie** · 01-20-2008, 05:12 PM

I've seen a number of things, but always wonder about them because they seem like so much effort. I too just stick the last little bit onto the new bar.

**Beryl** · 01-26-2008, 05:43 AM

well there is 2 things I do with leftover soap pieces
one the simple method allready mentioned by someone I see
put into nylon kneestockings leftover from my college days and use for handwashing soap will go past nylon sort of semi fluid also usable to do cuffs and neckrims of shirts or stains or washing gardeners hands
bit more work
with a grater I keep only for my homemade things for bath & kitchen grate that soap careful now that you do not catch your fingers
add some drops of sweet almond oil in a pan on low heat sort of soften mind you you are not trying to melt this just to adhere the bits using scant almond oil in the process if you have any favourite essential oil add a few drops next you place empty paper muffin cups and with an old icecream scoop you heap a blob into each muffin cup leave to dry a few days and if you used several colours leftover soap you have lovely scented guest soaps in a myriad of colours

**Pemberleyan** · 01-31-2008, 12:04 PM

DH goes throug soap faster than anyone I've ever known. I collect all of the chips and put them in a double boiler. So as not to use electricity, whenever we have a fire in the wood stove, I set it on to "cook." I stir it occasionally and pour it into a small rectangular pan when it's mixed well.

**cab54** · 02-03-2008, 03:06 PM

I agree with the re-milling, or re-batching of soap ala LadyV's post.

I have made soap from scratch quite a few times and hate to waste the little bits that are left----and soap can be melted down and reformed into 'new' bars. You don't have to buy soap molds either if you don't want to--you can use small plastic containers or anything you have--(just don't re-use for food later).

**cab54** · 02-03-2008, 03:08 PM

OOOH, by the way---don't forget to 'grease' the soap molds with Pam or oil. Hard to get the bar out if you don't.

**Rosebush3** · 02-03-2008, 03:27 PM

I love the idea of hanging soap in a nylon stocking outside! Going to have to keep that in mind, for when and if winter finally leaves.

**sweetlittle** · 02-09-2008, 08:27 PM

I made a small "purse" the size of a bar of soap out of a cotton scrap. One side has hook and loop tape in order to open it. Inside I place any left over soap. I also added a bit of an onion bag to promote more of a lather. This is nice for the kids because their little hands can hold it easily. No heating, melting, or reforming. Just a pretty little soap "purse".