Last summer I read a number of articles in the newspapers about the plight of the oceans and the sea creatures wrestling with plastic detritus. These were usually followed by stories about people trying to live and shop without buying plastics, and just how difficult this can be. I am not one for extremes but I thought I would have a go at leaving out as many bits of plastic as possible. To date, the greatest success I have had has been changing to bars of soap instead of using plastic bottles of shampoo and conditioner.
I bought a bar of Hemp Hair and Body Soap from ‘simply soaps’. The sealed wrapper was compostable and the soap palm oil free and containing only natural organic ingredients.
I have temperamental skin so I was very wary of this ‘natural’ product. But this has turned out to be an unnecessary worry. My first use had me jumping with surprise as I had masses of soap bubbles from a few strokes of the soap across my head. I found I could spread the foam over my whole body. The bubbles disappeared quickly as I rinsed myself and I left the shower quicker than usual. After drying myself I was left with a head of soft, manageable hair – much better than usual.
I have used this same bar of soap for at least 4 months. No plastic, less hot water, less water altogether, less time, the wrappers went into the green bin and the soap has disappeared down the drain: it can sometimes be easy to be green!
My friend was going on a camping, adventure holiday in Mongolia and I told her about the soap. She took some with her as it was light to carry and no trouble in airport security. She came back very impressed. She had used it to wash not only her hair and body, but also her clothes, and had had a minimum allocation of water to do this.
A note of caution – keep the soap dry between washes, otherwise you lose it all. Also, we have softened water and it may not work so well in hard water. My daughter who lives in a hard water area in south east London tried it but did not have the same success.
https://www.simplysoaps.com/organic-natural-soaps
There are other companies that make shampoo in bar form – it would be interesting to hear from those who have tried them!