JillFlorio

My husband says this email (see below) has been floating around for at least ten years. Besides being darned funny, it got me thinking. What ARE good uses for those tiny little hotel soaps? My simple living perspective doesn’t like the idea of just throwing them away. So I came up with a small list, and I hope you can add to it:

• Use the little soaps to write on glass. If your car is for sale, or if you have a shop window, you can write on the glass for an easily removed message. Or write a love note to your sweetheart on the bathroom mirror some morning.
• Shave the soaps down and melt in a mold, in your microwave, to create a bath-sized bar. Add soap fragrances (such as lavender)and a bit of oatmeal for mild sloughing qualities. Use yourself or give away as gifts for the holidays.
• Shave down and add glycerin. Melt in the microwave and keep in a jar for a homemade liquid hand soap.
• Place in snack-sized ziplocks to have as soaps for camping, traveling and other needs. Place a bag in each duffel bag, cosmetic valise and suitcase for later use.
• Sell bundles of little soaps at garage sales for a quarter. Or send on to Goodwill for them to sell.
• Repackage in nice little fabrics and ribbons that match your guest bathroom, and put out when you have overnight visitors. Tell them they can use them or take them home. It’s a lovely little gesture.
• Place opened soap in an old sock, and hang it in the shower. it makes a wonderful body scrubby that lathers effortlessly. Keep adding used soap slivers at will.
• Shave down and use in powdered form for handwashing delicate clothes, or experiment with adding to your washing machine on the gentle cycle.
• Place scented soaps in your sock drawer, underwear drawer or lingerie drawer, to add a mild, fresh scent to these items.