15 Unexpected Uses For A Bar Of Soap

When someone in a Southern kitchen announces, “Stay close and stay clean,” it generally means it’s almost time to eat and you should go wash up. While grandma’s house usually had a bar of soap in the bathroom, these days it’s more likely to be some fresh-smelling liquid variety. While they may not be very newfangled, don’t ditch the bar soap quite yet, though.

There are plenty of uses for a good old-fashioned bar soap that have nothing to do with washing up for dinner. From freshening up your shoes to making clothing and even home repair a breeze, the humble bathroom staple can be used around the house in ways you might not have considered. Whether you’re looking for fresh uses for the bars that have piled up (or that you’ve taken from hotels, just us?), there are plenty of artistic ways to put soap to work in your home.

We spoke to some experts to gather some intelligent, straightforward ideas to aid you get the most out of those bars.

Make DIY Detergent

“My favorite unexpected use of a bar of soap is in the laundry room. Grating the bar soap with baking soda and washing soda (1 cup of each) makes a DIY toxin-free laundry soap,” says  Laura Paulisich of ToxyFree. She also suggests using bar soap directly on stains before laundering to get them out in the wash. 

New Shoe Freshener

“If you place a dry bar of unwrapped soap onto the insole of your most unpleasant-smelling shoes, you could have them smelling like a fresh pine forest or tropical beach cabana in no time,” says James Geosits of Void Soap. 

Swap For Plumber’s Tape

“If you notice a small leak in a pipe or fitting and have no plumber’s tape or sealant on hand, you can use a regular bar of soap that you likely already have. Bar soap is oily and repels water, helping it hold up against the pressure of a small leak, and it’s plastic, making it easy to adhere surfaces of different materials and shapes. What you need to do is to wet the soap slightly, press it firmly into the crack or around the fitting, and smooth it out to create a tight seal,” suggests Kelly Russum, the owner of KC’s 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning. “Of course, soap can’t replace plumbing materials and a proper repair, but it will stop the leak until a plumber is here and the repair is done.”

Fix Squeaks Around the House

“If you take the dehydrated soap and glide it on the edges of doors, windows, floorboards, etc, it will stop the annoying sound from echoing around the house,” recommends Geosits.

Fix A Zipper

“Got a zipper that’s acting up? Rub a dry bar of soap along the teeth, and voilà—smooth sailing. It’s a quick fix for jackets, bags, or anything that’s decided to stick,” says Ryan Knoll the owner of Tidy Casa, a cleaning company.

Freshen Drawers

“A bar of soap can naturally freshen drawers, closets, or storage spaces,” says Adria Marshall of EcoSlay. “Simply wrap your favorite scented bar in a piece of breathable fabric (like muslin or an old sock), secure it with a ribbon or rubber band, and place it in your drawer or closet. This works because the soap’s fragrance gently permeates the space, keeping your clothes fresh and clean. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly alternative to chemical-laden air fresheners or sachets. Bonus: If you have a bar of lavender or eucalyptus soap, it can help deter moths and other pests by adding a calming scent to your wardrobe.”

Defend Your Garden 

“Deer and rabbits might be cute, but not when they’re nibbling your flowers. Hang bars of soap (the stronger the scent, the better—Irish Spring is a crowd favorite) in mesh bags around your garden. It’s like a natural ‘no vacancy’ sign for critters,” recommends Knoll.

Keep Your Shoes Sparkling

“Rubbing soap on your leather shoes (yes, really!) keeps them shiny and new, as well as creating a nice waterproof shield. Be sure to buff them out once you apply the bar to the surface area. Castile soap works especially well,” suggests Brenda Christensen of Stellar PR, who has a college degree in textiles. 

De-Fog A Mirror

“You can use bar soap to prevent mirrors and glass from fogging up,” suggests Michael Bogoyavlenskiy of Cleaning Express. “Rub a bar of soap over the glass while it’s dry. Don’t rub too much onto it–it only needs to be a quick sweep. Then buff the marks off using a dry, lint-free cloth. The next time the mirror gets warm, it won’t steam up!”

Make Drawers Glide

“Bar soap is an excellent lubricant for squeaky drawers or those sticky sliding drawers or doors,” says Farook Member, Director, and Home Improvement Expert at QS Supplies. “Just rub the soap along the runners or edges, and they sail.”

Natural Bug Repellent

“If you shave down bar soap or keep them whole if you want to, and place them around your yard and or home, it will repel a multitude of different bugs,” says Geosits. “Certain essential oils and soap ingredients repel those nasty critters and keep your home a bug-free zone. Bonus points if it’s citronella or patchouli-scented.”

Stop A Leak

“You can use bar soap to stop a leak from pipe threads temporarily. Just rub the soap along the threads to create a light seal, though this should only be used as a short-term solution,” says Russum. 

Clean Walls

“Fast and easy wall repair and cleaning is yours using a bar of soap to remove scuff marks and fill in minor nail holes-magic!” suggests Christensen.

Add To Your Sewing Kit

“Store your sewing needles and pins in the bar of soap to keep them sharp and rust-free,” suggests Marshall. “The soap also lubricates the pins, making them glide more easily through fabric. This works because soap creates a convenient, dual-purpose storage and maintenance solution for sewing tools, especially for DIY enthusiasts or crafters.”

“Soap can also be used as a guide for sewing in place of a pencil or other writing utensil. Bar soap is extremely versatile in the sewing world,” says Geosits. 

Christensen adds that a bar soap can make it basic to thread a needle. “Give that thread a run over the flat surface of the bar and voila-super easy sewing!” she says.

Wash Clothes on the Go

Do you enjoy camping or traveling on a budget, but also enjoy freshly scented spotless clothes? Bar soap is your portable aroma-filled friend. With a little water and a place to spotless your laundry, it’s easily the best option to carry with you,” suggests Geosits. “It’s much better than clunky bottles of liquid soap which may or may not leak.”