Zero Waste: 5 Tips For Recycling Soap Scraps
If you've gotten into the habit of using solid soaps for washing your hands or showering, you probably find yourself from time to time with small pieces slipping through your fingers... Resist the temptation to throw them away! They can still be useful in a perspective of responsible consumption and zero waste. We will give you 5 tips for recycling leftover soap.
1- Make a solid soap
The first possibility for recycling soap scraps is to melt them to make a new solid soap.
The trick is to gather about a dozen soap pieces in a saucepan with a bit of hot water. Melt over low heat until you obtain a homogeneous paste.
You can then customize your new soap. Off the heat, add vegetable oils, essential oils, or a fragrance specially designed for homemade cosmetics.
Pour your mixture into a silicone mold and let it cool for several hours before placing the mold in the freezer for 3 hours. All that's left is to unmold your creation.
2- Make liquid soap
The second of the 5 tips for recycling soap scraps is to turn them into liquid soap. This product is, of course, much more eco-friendly when made at home using leftovers. Another positive point is that the recipe is easier than you might think.
Cut or grate your solid soap scraps to obtain small shavings. Bring a liter of water to a boil in a saucepan and add 20 g of shavings.
Stir until the soap dissolves and the mixture becomes homogeneous. To scent your homemade liquid soap, add drops of fragrance or essential oils off the heat.
Let your preparation cool completely before handling it. I recommend pouring it into a pump bottle for easier daily use.
3- Do a body scrub
Even more amazing, it is possible to make a body exfoliating scrub with the scraps of your solid soaps! This is another of the 5 tips to know for recycling soap remnants.
To make this zero-waste beauty product, you simply need soap pieces and sugar:
• Grate the soap pieces into fine shavings as in the previous recipe.
• Mix the shavings with sugar, adjusting the amount to your preference. The more sugar you add, the more exfoliating your scrub will be.
• Store this homemade scrub in a glass jar with a lid.
This homemade scrub is used in the shower on wet skin, once a week. Rinse and admire the result: your skin is super soft!
4- Make dishwashing liquid
Fans of eco-friendly cleaning and homemade household products, this other tip for recycling soap scraps is made for you! If you have leftover Marseille soap or another unscented soap, you can make dishwashing liquid with it.
For this homemade dish soap recipe, you will need:
• 30 g of solid soap pieces.
• 1.5 liters of hot water.
• 2 tablespoons of white vinegar.
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
• a few drops of essential oil, such as lemon or rosemary.
As in previous recipes, I recommend grating the soap scraps before dissolving them in very hot water.
Once the liquid is homogeneous, you can add the other ingredients in order.
Let the mixture cool before pouring it into a bottle, and that's it! You have made a zero-waste dishwashing liquid using 100% natural ingredients.
5- Scent laundry naturally
Don't have the time or desire to start making homemade cosmetics or household products? No problem! The last of the 5 tips for recycling soap scraps requires almost no effort.
If you have at home scented soap scraps that are too small to use in the shower or on the sink, let them dry and then gather them in a small fabric bag.
All you have to do is place the bag in your closet or drawer to naturally scent your clothes. The scented soap scraps diffuse their fragrance just like sachets or cushions filled with lavender...
