Environmentally Safe Soaps: Why Switching from Liquid to Bar Makes Sense

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Environmentally safe soaps are made to clean your skin without harming the planet. Unlike conventional liquid soaps that rely on plastic packaging and often contain harsh or unnecessary chemicals, environmentally friendly bar soaps offer a simpler, lower-waste alternative.

Switching from liquid to solid soap is one of the easiest ways to reduce plastic use at home while still keeping effective, non-toxic hygiene in your daily routine.

Why I Switched from Liquid to Solid Soap

I have to confess, for many years, I used liquid hand soap for its convenience without considering the environmental impact – just think about all the plastic bottles thrown away!

I understand why a hotel puts liquid hand wash in every room. It makes sense because they purchase it in large volumes and refill bottles, instead of providing each guest with a solid soap bar that would end up being discarded and polluting the planet. But for home use, I've decided to switch to solid, eco-friendly soap bars.

By the way, a bonus – if a soap bar is aromatic, it can serve a dual purpose. Not only does it function as a soap for cleaning, but its pleasant aroma can also act as a light air freshener.

But let's start from liquid eco-friendly hand wash. I found a couple of options in tablet form that can be dissolved and refilled. I haven’t tried they myself, though. But they look promising, as other products from these brands are great.

Environmentally Safe Soaps: My Top Picks

I selected these soap bars after reviewing their ingredients, environmental impact, and packaging, choosing only options that align with environmentally safe principles.

ATTITUDE Hand Wash Soap Bar, Plant and Mineral-Based	Auromere Ayurvedic Bar Soap, Himalayan Rose	Australian Botanical Soap, Goats Milk with Soya Bean Oil

The Yellow Bird Natural Bar Soap, Eucalyptus Spearmint	Grandma's Pure Lye Soap Bar,Unscented	Crate 61, Handmade Vegan Natural Bar Soap

Author's Note

After years of using liquid soap, switching back to solid, environmentally safe soap felt a bit cumbersome, it took some experimenting to find the right setup. I ended up with the Crate 61 handmade vegan soap bar in lavender scent, which smells amazing. It's creamy, moisturizing, and very pleasant to use. It would be even better if it were made locally (it's currently produced in Canada). It’s important to always keep it dry.

If you've used liquid hand cleanser for years, you might find an environmentally friendly soap bar inconvenient because it can become slippery and doesn’t like to stay wet. Good news - I found a way to solve this problem: either liquify it or use one of really nice soap holders. Read more about it in the post about solid shampoo.

Common Myths About Environmentally Friendly Soaps

Bar soaps are often surrounded by misconceptions.

Myth one: bar soaps are less hygienic than liquid soap. In reality, soap creates an environment where bacteria cannot survive.

Myth two: environmentally friendly soaps dry out the skin. Truth is – many modern bar soaps are made with gentle, moisturizing ingredients and can be just as mild as liquid formulas.

Myth three: solid soaps are outdated or inconvenient. In fact, they last longer, are easy to travel with, and are often more environmentally safe due to minimal packaging.

A Bonus: Eco-Friendly Antibacterial Soap Sheets

A brilliant idea for traveling or hiking – antibacterial soap sheets. They can even be carried in a bag for everyday situations, like when there’s no soap in a café restroom or when you want to wash your particularly dirty hands on the street before eating.

FOMIN - Antibacterial Paper Soap Sheets for Hand Washing - (300 Sheets) ✅ Five scents including unscented ✅ Portable and compact ✅ Plastic-free ✅ Vegan ✅ Planet-friendly packaging

FAQ About Environmentally Safe Soaps 

Does solid soap clean as well as liquid soap?

Yes, solid soap is just as effective as liquid soap at removing dirt, bacteria, and viruses when used with proper handwashing techniques. Remember that liquid soaps have only been on the market for about 40 years. Before that, everyone used solid soaps and managed just fine.

Does solid soap harbor bacteria?

While bacteria can exist on any surface, research (Heinze, J. E., & Yackovich, F. 1988) shows that solid soap does not transfer harmful bacteria during use. Rinsing it before and after use keeps it clean.

How can I prevent an environmentally safe soap from becoming slimy?

Use a well-draining soap dish and keep the soap dry between uses. Avoid letting it sit in standing water.

Do environmentally safe soaps last longer than liquid soaps?

Yes, solid soap typically lasts longer when used properly because there’s less waste compared to liquid soap, which is often over-dispensed.

Is solid soap more cost-effective in the long run?

Absolutely! Solid soap is generally cheaper per use, especially when it’s stored correctly to prevent unnecessary wear.

#️⃣ Tags: Eco-friendly packaging, Green cleaning, Zero-waste solutions