# Poll: What type of soap should a host provide? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713 "2013-03-12T15:29:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/1 "2013-03-12T15:29:33Z")
I’m a bar soap kind of guy, but recently it occurred to me that, as a host, I should probably provide liquid soap in each bathroom… because, well, it is more sanitary, and we have probably gotten to the point where some people think bar soap is sorta gross. Doper hosts, what say you? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/2 "2013-03-12T15:36:19Z")
I have yet to find somebody else’s pube stuck to a bottle of liquid soap. Need I say more? ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/3 "2013-03-12T15:41:45Z")
We collect (unused) hotel soaps and have a box of them in the guest bath. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/4 "2013-03-12T15:53:26Z")
I answered “some kind of soap…” I think it’s more important to guests that the bathroom be clean and stocked with towels and toilet paper; most people are happy to use whatever’s there, as long as it’s not disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/5 "2013-03-12T16:05:40Z")
It probably depends on the type of guest. If it’s casual, then bar soap is fine as long as it is in good shape. Liquid soap is nicer, though. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/6 "2013-03-12T16:10:44Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > We collect (unused) hotel soaps and have a box of them in the guest bath. We do the same, and include those little bottles of shampoo and conditioner as well. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/7 "2013-03-12T16:56:34Z")
As long as you offer to spit on their hands for 'em, I think you’re in the clear 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/8 "2013-03-12T18:04:55Z")
I’m not sure if you are talking about someone who is there for dinner or someone who is spending the weekend. We have liquid soap by the sink but put an unopened bar of soap on the bath towels if it’s someone who will be using the tub or shower. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/9 "2013-03-12T18:41:24Z")
Good point. I was thinking purely of soap at the sink. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/10 "2013-03-12T19:59:08Z")
As long as there’s soap at the sink and it’s clean (and no one’s ever found a pube on the bar soap at my sink!), I don’t think it matters what kind it is. If I know that my houseguests have an attachment to a particular type of product, I’ll lay in a stock of it because I want to make their stay a happy and comfortable one, but in general I feel that good enough is…well, good enough. ---
**Author:** ![KermitTheFrig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/47e85d/32.png) [@KermitTheFrig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KermitTheFrig)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/11 "2013-03-12T20:06:20Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > because, well, it is more sanitary When I was kid we rented a lakeside cottage. When we arrived there was an old bar of soap in the bathroom. I made some sort of “Ew, yuck!” remark. My dad said to me…and I’ve repeated it to the Little Frig from time to time, “It’s SOAP. There’s no such thing as dirty soap.” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/12 "2013-03-12T20:08:00Z")
After seeing this thread I intend to install a vending machine in the bathroom so guests can choose their own type of soap, and pay for it. Also, people haven’t been leaving a dime on the toilet tank, so I’ll need a real coin operated lock for that as well. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/13 "2013-03-12T20:13:26Z")
> [@KermitTheFrig](#): > > My dad said to me…and I’ve repeated it to the Little Frig from time to time, “It’s SOAP. There’s no such thing as dirty soap.” Intuitively, I think the same but…can there be, though? Obviously, if there’s a pube on it or if there is other visible biological matter, the fact that it’s soap doesn’t make said pube/biological matter sanitary by virtue of being deposited on soap. Soap isn’t the sanitary equivalent of king Midas. But if there is no visible non-soap residue on the soap, is that enough to be sure it’s clean? ---
**Author:** ![steviep24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@steviep24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steviep24)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/14 "2013-03-12T20:16:26Z")
Depends on if they’re dinner/party guests or house guests. I would have liquid soap at the sink for washing hands and a new bar soap for overnight/house guest. Nobody wants to use a used bar soap. A house guest should bring they’re own shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, ect. and their own soap if they don’t like what you provided. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/15 "2013-03-12T20:44:14Z")
Liquid soap for me please. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/16 "2013-03-12T20:51:26Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Intuitively, I think the same but…can there be, though? > > Obviously, if there’s a pube on it or if there is other visible biological matter, the fact that it’s soap doesn’t make said pube/biological matter sanitary by virtue of being deposited on soap. Soap isn’t the sanitary equivalent of king Midas. > > But if there is no visible non-soap residue on the soap, is that enough to be sure it’s clean? Soap isn’t anti-bacterial, unless it is. The purpose of soap is to loosen up oils and therefore dirt and germs go down the drain with the water. Soap can definitely harbor bacteria on itself. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/17 "2013-03-12T21:29:46Z")
A [bath-sized Dial](http://www.snopes.com/humor/letters/soap.asp). ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/18 "2013-03-12T22:16:16Z")
light activated non-touch automatic liquid soap dispensers which people don’t know how to use and either get no soap or too much. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/19 "2013-03-12T22:18:36Z")
My bathroom sinks have a bottle of foaming soap, 'cause I like it, and a bar of soap that only seems to get used at parties. I have, not exaggerating, two hospital tubs full of soaps and shampoos and, let me see…there’s some bath bombs in here, some facials, some bath salts and bath oils, some periclense wipes, some Aloe Vest 3-in-1 Cleansing Foam, some random perfume samples, toothbrushes, toothpaste, a loofah, lotions… Yeah, I just leave it on the counter and invite overnight guests to help themselves to a mini-spa night. All gathered through the mail, at hotel/motel rooms and at hospital stays. I’m a personal hygiene product klepto. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713/20 "2013-03-12T22:23:53Z")
as long as it is not [something like this](http://www.onlineprnews.com/framework/uploads/96f597fb987840a8a5bcebff316fa906.JPG). I hate using decorative soaps in a guest bathroom. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-type-of-soap-should-a-host-provide/652713.md?page=2)