Soap - the sustainability star of the bathroom
If your bathroom is harbouring more plastic than a Barbie playhouse, try the switch to soap
![Soap - the sustainability star of the bathroom](https://assets-au-scc.kc-usercontent.com:443/330b87ea-148b-3ecf-9857-698f2086fe8d/9891dfd9-0448-4c6d-8cf1-70576b8007fc/AdobeStock_426185401.jpeg?w=1200&fm=webp)
Reducing plastic in the bathroom can be as easy as grabbing a bar of soap, but if like many you remember the soaps of your childhood, you may be hesitant to make the switch.
Rest assured, the humble soap bar has come a long way and is quite rightly taking centre stage in bathrooms around the globe, but why?
They're simple
![lady washing her face](https://assets-au-scc.kc-usercontent.com:443/330b87ea-148b-3ecf-9857-698f2086fe8d/cd9c4ac5-a444-493c-b883-dc79e89072b4/AdobeStock_184863613%20%281%29.jpeg?w=5201&fm=webp)
lady washing her face
From taking up less space in the bathroom to simplifying your morning routine, soap provides a minimalist solution with a ton of benefits:
- less to throw away with most having little to no packaging
- enjoy more room in your bathroom cabinet
- streamline your beauty routine
- save money on buying lots of different products
They're natural
![soap bars](https://assets-au-scc.kc-usercontent.com:443/330b87ea-148b-3ecf-9857-698f2086fe8d/24d4b438-5472-421f-9290-b0c6d101dd5a/AdobeStock_474174427.jpeg?w=8688&fm=webp)
soap bars
Many soaps look and smell amazing, studded with everything from cloves and caraway seeds to lavendar flowers but the real benefit is a list of ingredients you actually recognise.
- opt for soaps enriched with oils like olive, coconut or avocade to help bolster your skin’s protective barrier, maintain hydration, and regulate sebum production
- look for soaps coloured with natural clays, which not only look beautiful but also offer detoxifying and purifying benefits to balance your skin’s pH level.
You can make them yourself
![make your own soap](https://assets-au-scc.kc-usercontent.com:443/330b87ea-148b-3ecf-9857-698f2086fe8d/1f91e813-4fa7-4e27-a108-a0e43f652d6a/AdobeStock_190553369.jpeg?w=7360&fm=webp)
make your own soap
If you prefer to take control of your own journey, have a go at making your own. There are lots of recipes on youtube but here are a couple to get you started
Basic soap recipe
![natural soap bars](https://assets-au-scc.kc-usercontent.com:443/330b87ea-148b-3ecf-9857-698f2086fe8d/4df9b5ac-d409-4d1c-baa8-125b30009663/240_F_399469975_gtk4Iqku5eAZQ0pPT9hIS8FYUHD7TkV0.jpg?w=360&fm=webp)
natural soap bars
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of coconut oil
- 2 cups of olive oil
- 2 cups of distilled water
- ¾ cup of lye
Optional
- Lavender buds or essential oil for fragrance
- Natural colorants such as spirulina powder or turmeric
Instructions:
- Put on gloves, goggles, and a mask to protect yourself from the lye.
- In a well-ventilated area, carefully mix the lye into the water (never the other way around) and let it cool.
- Melt the coconut oil and olive oil together in a large pot on low heat.
- If desired, add lavender buds or a few drops of lavender essential oil for fragrance. You can also incorporate natural colorants like spirulina powder or turmeric at this stage.
- Once the oils are melted and the lye mixture has cooled, slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils, stirring constantly.
- Use a hand blender to mix the oils and lye until it reaches trace (when the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency).
- Pour the soap mixture into molds and let it sit for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, remove the soap from the molds and cut it into bars.
- Allow the bars to cure for 4-6 weeks before using them to ensure a mild and long-lasting soap with the added benefits of lavender fragrance and natural colors.
Exfoliating body bar
![exfoliating coffee soap bar](https://assets-au-scc.kc-usercontent.com:443/330b87ea-148b-3ecf-9857-698f2086fe8d/14282bdf-a6fe-4fd9-926a-1232d71b0fb2/240_F_185920739_OgQ1R8LIx2RYxDOUz7xPapUmKyi7L1oZ.jpg?w=359&fm=webp)
exfoliating coffee soap bar
Ingredients
- 10 drops essential oil - lavendar is a soothing and gentle choice
- 90g fresh or used coffee grounds
- 200g organic cacao butter (grated or finely chopped)
Method
- using a double boiler, melt the cacao butter over a low heat
- allow to cool to room temp
- add coffree grounds and oil and stir well
- pour into your chosen mould (silicon cupcake trays work well)
- place in freezer for at least 1 hour to set
- store extra bars in the fridge to stop them melting
How to use
- once a month, massage gently over damp skin, avoiding neck and face
- rinse well and pat dry
- NOTE: take care - oils can make the bath or shower slippery