A bar of soap usually lives by the sink or in the shower, and that’s where most people expect it to stay. Maybe you have a few extra bars tucked away in a bathroom cabinet or saved from a hotel visit.
What many people don’t realize is that bar soap can solve plenty of small household problems. For years, people have used it for everything from quieting squeaky doors to freshening drawers and making simple repairs around the house.
Here are 12 practical ways to get more use out of an ordinary bar of soap.
Help Remove a Stuck Ring
A ring that’s become difficult to remove can be uncomfortable and frustrating.
Rubbing a little soap around your finger creates a slippery surface that helps the ring slide off with much less effort.
Quiet Squeaky Doors and Drawers
A dry bar of soap can work as a quick lubricant.
Rub it along door hinges, drawer runners, or other spots where parts rub together. The soap reduces friction and often quiets annoying squeaks without leaving behind an oily mess.
Make Sticky Zippers Slide More Easily
A zipper that catches every few inches doesn’t always need to be replaced.
Lightly rub the bar of soap along both sides of the zipper teeth, then open and close the zipper several times to spread the soap evenly.
Related: 16 Uses for Vaseline Most People Never Think About
Freshen Drawers and Closets
A wrapped bar of scented soap can leave clothes, towels, and linens smelling fresh.
Place one inside a dresser drawer, storage bin, or closet shelf, and it will slowly release a light fragrance for weeks.
Discourage Pets From Digging
Some dogs, cats, and other animals dislike the smell of certain soaps.
Placing small pieces or shavings around flower beds and garden borders may help discourage unwanted digging. Results vary depending on the animal, but it’s an easy trick to try.
Clean Minor Wall Scuffs
Related: How to Get Crayon Off The Wall: 12 Easy Ways
Light scuff marks on painted walls can sometimes be removed with a damp cloth and a little bar soap.
Rub gently, then wipe the area clean to remove any remaining residue.
Store Sewing Needles
Press sewing needles or straight pins into a bar of soap for storage.
The soap helps protect them from moisture, keeps them together, and lightly coats the metal so they move through thicker fabrics more smoothly.
Related: 17 Clever Band-Aid Uses You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
Temporarily Seal Small Leaks
Softened soap can work as a temporary patch for tiny leaks around hoses, pipes, or outdoor faucets.
It’s only a short-term fix, but it may slow the leak until a proper repair can be made.
Reduce Shoe Odors
Place a dry bar of soap inside shoes overnight to help reduce lingering odors.
This works best after shoes have had time to dry completely between uses.
Help Keep Garden Pests Away
Some gardeners hang strongly scented bars of soap in mesh bags around vegetable gardens and flower beds.
The scent may discourage deer, rabbits, and other animals from wandering into the area, especially when combined with fencing or other deterrents.
Related: Wasps Are Out in Full Force—Here’s How to Keep Them Away Without Calling Pest Control
Make Your Own Liquid Soap
Instead of throwing away small leftover pieces, grate them into hot water and stir until dissolved.
After the mixture cools, pour it into a pump bottle for homemade liquid hand soap.
Make Homemade Laundry Detergent
Bar soap is a common ingredient in homemade laundry detergent.
Grated soap mixed with washing soda and baking soda creates a low-cost detergent that many people use for everyday laundry. It’s an easy way to stretch your household budget while putting extra bars of soap to good use.
