leftover soap!

[Heidi30]

Does anyone have a place to send slightly used bars of soap?  This may sound trite, but I live in a rural area, compost and recycle carefully and, we take our trash to the dump and I do not wish to add soap to the ground water. I understand that there are organizations that send used bar soap from large hotel/motels to third world countries where folks use it for washing, laundry, dishes, etc.  We host in a two bedroom cottage and have been with airbnb about two years now. To date, we've accumulated at least five pounds of soap. I'd like to keep it out of the landfill. Any ideas? 

Tom in Vermont

[Cynthia-and-Chris1]

Why not just leave it in there and let people keep using it? Some people think that's icky, but an overwhelming number of guests (especially males) use the same bar just fine. 

[Heidi30]

We do leave shampoos, body wash and liquid soap for the next guests. (Dr. Bronners is popular!) However, some folks like a bar of soap, and, leaving a used one is not acceptable to many.  As a culture, I'm afraid we've spoiled ourselves at the big hotel/motel chains with fresh condiments awaiting.  

tw

[Heidi30]

Ok, many of you may find this information useful...I just got off the phone with Lisa from "Clean the World" in Orlando. This organization has diverted of 14 million tons of used soap, shampoo, etc to be reused in poor parts of the world.  They mostly cater to big hotel/motels however, for B & B's, (having under 30 rooms), they will accept your soaps anytime if you pay a yearly fee of $60. 

If you donate yearly to non-profits like we do, you may want to consider joining up with them.  They have offices in Canada and the UK, I believe as well. But the major headquarters is in Orlando. The number [personal information hidden] and Lisa handles the B&B businesses. 

Maybe Airbnb could look into providing the funding for any airbnb user to donate?  Are any Airbnb employees reading this??

Tom and Heidi

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Heidi30 so you have to pay 60$ pay year to donate the soap ???? 

I think most people and guests prefer liquid soap in dispensers. I don't like soap bars and don't use it all, specially wouldn't use someone else's

[Heidi30]

Ah, you see, you wouldn't use someone else's soap bar...however, we have quite a few guests who prefer to use a bar of soap as opposed to liquids.  So, we provide bars of soap.

[Erika122]

Maybe suggest that the guest keep the soap. Make a sign detailing your concerns for the environment. Provide a baggie.😀

[Farah1]

@Heidi30 this is one of the reasons why I switch to body wash and put the body wash and shampoo in a dispenser that is available in the shower

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Heidi30

I personally don't understand why some people think it's unacceptable to have a used bar of soap available. If you provide alternatives like liquid hand wash & body wash then people who don't want to use the communal soap can just use the liquid soap. (This is what I do) Airbnb is not a hotel/motel. 

I always  rinse the soap off and remove water from the soap tray so it stays dry. Even if it is a used bar of soap, I make sure it is dry and looks clean and well managed. 

[Heidi30]

Quite frankly folks, I've had some guests tell me they are repulsed by sharing bars of soap, and yes, we do provide liquids as well, body wash, shampoos, etc. Dr. Bronners and Mrs. Meyers are quite popular. However, some folks just prefer a good ol' bar of soap, like the kind ma used as kids when she scrubbed behind their ears as they bent over the kitchen sink. After two years as busy hosts, we have about 5 lbs of the stuff. I may take a hike to the local homeless tent city and give it away.

[Amanda382]

https://soapaid.org