Simple Trick to Use Less Liquid Soap

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Simple Trick to Use Less Liquid Soap

Submitted by: juliann8301 01/18/2009 10:25 PM

Our family of seven goes through a LOT of liquid hand soap, [Foaming soap dispensers haven't lasted long enough to save us money.] The typical dispenser seems to pump out far more soap than I really need - and young kids sure like to pump the soap out!

I take a clear vinyl-coated twist tie (the kind used to fasten toys to their packaging), twist it two or three times around the stem of the pump (between the spout and the bottle)(enough to cover about half the stem), and twist the ends together tightly.

I've done this with shampoo and body wash dispensers as well. We're still getting enough soap and shampoo to do the job, and we're wasting far less.

Editor's Note: For related tips see the following from fellow TipHeroes: DIY Foaming Hand Soap and Hand Soap Savings

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Comments:

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Wow, great idea!

Posted by anonymous on January 20, 2009 12:50 PM

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I use half liquid hand soap and half water and it works great for a foam cleaner. I use an old foam dispenser.

Posted by anonymous on January 22, 2009 9:22 PM

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I use old foam soap dispensers as well. I refill the dispenser about 1/8 of the way with liquid soap, then fill the rest with water. I shake it up and voila, foam soap! I wash my hands often, but have yet to run out of the big refill bottle I bought quite a while ago.

Posted by anonymous on January 23, 2009 3:55 PM

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A note for those of you watering down the soap...Have you noticed that there is often slimy gross stuff after the soap has been watered down? This is bacteria growth (eww). The manufacturers don't want to give you more of the goods than they have to (so that they can increase their profits), and the soap is about as watered down as it can safely be when we purchase it. They actually have people that test for the "safe" water/soap ratios. Watering down is easier than coming up with ways to keep less from coming out, although it might be hurting you in the long run.

Posted by Julie on January 23, 2009 5:18 PM

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I tried watering down the soap, but it doesn't work. My daughter would take a shower and come out smelling almost as bad as when she went in!

Posted by anonymous on January 23, 2009 10:18 PM

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For foam pumps for hand washing, fill the bottle about 1/5 to 1/4 with liquid dish soap, then finish with water. The dish soap is cheaper, gets hands clean, and I haven't noticed that it's in the bottle long enough to get any slime. If you use Dawn, it's also great for getting greasy hands clean. You can use unscented or some of the fruit or herbal-scented dish soaps, and no one knows it's not 'real' hand soap.

To save money on bar soap, collect the little pieces left when the bar is too small to use (make sure they're 'clean'). When you have six or seven, cut them into small pieces and put into a hard plastic or glass container about the shape of a round soap bar. You might want to spray the container with Pam first. Microwave the container of soap in 30 second bursts until it melts together. Don't try to stir. The multi-colored bars are pretty and the combined scents are always pleasant.

Posted by Judy on January 23, 2009 11:28 PM

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This week our local grocer has Flex shampoo and condisitoner on sale for 68 cents a bottle. I have made our own semi-homemade hand soap from this by taking two shampoos to one conditioner and adding them to a sauce pan and heating together. 3 X .68 = $2.04 =6 bottles of standard hand soap bottles. I consider this a comfortable savings but when added with another 1-2 bottles of water to make thinner for the kids it makes 8-10 bottles of standard sized hand soap bottles for $2.04. this makes the cost of the bottle about .21 cents each rather than .50 cents to 1.00 each. By my calculations this is a 75% to 80% savings and afte rmaking it I have enough for about a year for two bathrooms with 3 people living here.

Posted by Debby on January 24, 2009 3:32 AM

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It would also work well to fasten a zip (cable) tie around the stem of the soap pump then trim the excess. This would work very well at limiting the amount of soap dispenced per pump.

Posted by anonymous on January 24, 2009 7:27 AM

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A picture of what you are doing with the twist tie would be very helpful - I can't quite picture what a tie would do in that region.

Posted by Lizzie on January 24, 2009 4:22 PM

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The Slimy soap - yes, it is bacteria but the soap should be used prior to that point. I believe everyone is using their liquid soap on a regular steady pace to prevent bacteria growth from occurring. In addition, I believe everyone is rinsing their bottles with hot water prior to refilling their bottles. I do each time and my roommate does not which I do it for her.

Soap bars from used soap - I do not think it is a healthy to do. Bacteria grow in soap bars and mixing the bars together to form one bar. I believe would be a bacteria festival. Soap bars should be assigned to a person for their use only. I believe the reason for liquid soap is to reduce the growth of bacteria in the soap and passing the bacteria from one person to another. Anyone can consult their medical facilities or consult the CDC online/call.

Lizzie, picture a straw and pinch the straw then drink. By pinching the straw, it will reduce the amount of liquid you are pulling into your mouth. Let the straw return to its natural shape and drink. There is more liquid going into your mouth. It is the same concept as placing the twist tie or zip cord and constricting band around the tube of the dispensing pump. Therefore, I hope you can illustrate this concept in your mind and understand their theory for reduction of liquid soap dispensing from the bottle.

I never use bar soap unless liquid soap is not available. After using the bar soap I place into a plastic bag for keeping to using again or tossing it. I am a germ freak and bacteria phobia I will not place anyone in arms way or harm.

Posted by Buttons on January 25, 2009 12:43 AM

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No, as the original poster said, the plastic tie goes around the stem of the pump, above the top of the bottle, not inside the bottle, around the plastic tube. Great idea, thanks!

Posted by anonymous on January 27, 2009 11:34 PM

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