Can You Use Bar Soap to Wash Dishes?

There are two ways to wash dishes using bar soap. The Asian style is whereby you put soap directly on a wet sponge. Then get to hand washing the dishes. 

The other method is beginning by filling the sink with hot water. Put the soap in a soap cage or a large tea strainer. If you have the bowl-shaped one, the better.

Put some chunks inside, then shake the cage or the strainer. The water will begin to lather up. Shake until it is soapy enough with no heavy residue of soap. Then get to washing the dishes.

A great alternative to using sponges is brushed. The brush part should be easy to remove and replace when it wears off. Or gets soft. However, the brush part should be soft enough to go around the edges.

Simply wet the brush a little and pat on the bar soap. To get a little bit of soap on it. Then get to scrubbing your dishes. For pans that have a non-stick coating, a sponge would suffice. 

Soap is an important facet of our daily lives. For many years the market consisted of only bar soaps. And everyone seemed completely satisfied.

The liquid soap arrived later on. Hence bringing with it the debate of which is better than the other to use.

We all know that bacteria are the primary cause of disease. Liquid soap has been promoted to be antibacterial from the beginning of its introduction into the marketplace.

Given that people have been using bar soaps for generations. It seems that bar soaps are unlikely to be lacking in this area. 

Therefore used bar soaps do not lead to the transfer of bacteria. From the bar to the skin or utensils. Making them highly recommendable for cleaning.

A frequent complaint about the bar soaps is their slippery nature when wet. As well as the lather residue left on counters and soap dishes designed to contain it.

Here is where the makers of soft soap cornered the market soap plastic dispensers. They are easy to use as they eliminate the issue of the lather residue being left behind.

They are disposable and easy to replace. With no cleaning up of the soap scum required. As is the case with the bar soaps from frequent usage.

The liquid soap PH level proponents often surpass the drying effects of the bar soap on your hands. This often occurs because the bar soap in use has a higher PH level.

This can be very trying particularly for sensitive skin. The upside is that there is more than one type of bar soap. 

Many with lower PH levels and other ingredients. That helps prevent the stereotypical drying complaint associated with bar soap.

Most bar soaps contain glycerin, which is therapeutic for dry skin and other sensitivities. For example, eczema.

Some people are allergic to fragrances from soap. Liquid soaps that are fragrance-free can be difficult to find.

Bar soaps, on the other hand, offer numerous options for those who prefer to use fragrance-free.

When washing utensils with bar soap. You rub soap on the sponge until you create the desired amount of lather.

The ease and the convenience of the pump on the liquid soap. It makes it harder to control the amount of soap to use.

There is already a predetermined amount, which is almost impossible to adjust. And oftentimes, this amount is more than enough soap. 

Of what is needed to create sufficient lather. This translates into a waste of liquid soap compared to bar soaps while cleaning.

On the other hand, bar soaps get smaller with use. They break into smaller pieces that are too difficult to use. Hence must be thrown away.

One experience frequent bar soap users have is dropping a slippery soap down the drain, especially when they are smaller and not easy to handle.

Bar soaps are a better bargain in the market than liquid soaps, with bar soaps lasting longer.

Whether to use bar soap or liquid soap depends on the factors that are most important to you.

If ecology and going green are important to you. Then the bar soap wins. It is also a cost-effective choice.

On the flip side, moisturizing effects and an enriching lather are your priority. Then liquid soaps are the way to go.

From a purely health-conscious standpoint. Bar soaps contain fewer chemicals. As well as prevent as many germs as the liquid soap does.

The good news is that you can make your bar soap at home. It is way cheaper. And you get total control of the ingredients and fragrances. You would desire.

Let’s begin with the safety tips. You always want to wear gloves. As well as eye protection. Whenever you are making soap, the soap butter does burn the skin pretty badly.

You will need coconut oil, a cleansing hard oil in soap making. As well as castor oil. Which will help get a good lather with the soap.

The ratios will depend on the purpose you intend for the soap. For example, this recipe could use 90% of coconut oil. Then 10% of castor oil. Meaning the soap will be mostly cleansing and a hard bar.

So when you make soap, you combine lye and oils. A chemical reaction occurs with the two combined, and they form soap.

When the lye and the oils combine, you can have all of the oils turn into soap. Forming either a zero percent super fat. Which means there is no oil left over.

This would be very unusual. Hence not as gentle to the skin. There should be 5-8% of super fat, oils not transformed into soap. 

They stay as oils mixed around the bar. To moisturize your skin. 

You can ratio the superfast to 2% when making soap for dishes. Or go for a multipurpose soap. Can wash dishes and be used in the shower.

Begin by measuring out your lye and water into separate dishes. The only flexible ingredient here is the water. All the others have to be precise.

Always add the lye to the water. Then stir until it dissolves. The chemical reaction between these two will cause the temperature to shoot up and produce fumes. So ensure you are doing this in an aerated area.

After that, leave it to cool down, and ensure it’s in a safe space where no one can knock it off. Or accidentally drink it. You can even label it.

While the lye water is cooling, heat your oils to 140 degrees. Weigh them in separate containers before combining them. Then put them aside to cool.

Wait until the ingredients are 110 degrees. Whereby they are warm, not hot. Now combine by pouring the lye into the oils. Then blend with a stick blender.

After that, add your favorite fragrance by hand. As well as the essential oils. This depends on personal preferences. How scented do you want the soap to be? 

You can opt-out of this step if you are not interested in fragrance.

Once you have done that, pour the solution into a mold. Because it will start solidifying pretty quickly, then leave it out to dry. Voila, you have soap!

Always place the bar soap on an elevated holder. To keep it dry.

In conclusion, whatever parameters you use to make your soap buying decision. The old-fashioned bar soap is far from being washed up from the market.