# Soap Makers: why such large bars? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 10, 2024, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054 "2024-09-10T11:52:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/21 "2024-09-11T14:02:05Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Are you saying you purchase it? Where? I’ve only had large bars of soap as gifts from soap makers (bless them). I’ve bought them from craft shows and gift shops. My sister’s neighbor in Arizona makes soap from the resin of the pinon pine. I’ve been gifted it from my sister and also have bought it from the woman who sells it online. It’s pretty expensive so I don’t get it often. She also makes a sandalwood soap. Both of the soaps smell amazing. The pinon soap is supposed to be very good for your skin and helps with skin irritations. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/22 "2024-09-11T17:51:51Z")
Whenever we clean out our burn urn I am tempted to save the ashes and make soap. Then I remember how long it takes and I move on. Here is one reason for the large bars. This video is a fascinating look at a traditional Turkish soap factory where they pour the hot soap mixture right onto the floor! After it cools they cut it up and stack it using soap plows. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/F3o9aEeOT7U/maxresdefault.jpg "How This Turkish Factory Makes Millions of Soap Bars Using 150-Year Old Technique") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3o9aEeOT7U) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/23 "2024-09-11T18:17:45Z")
[It’s easy to cut large soap blocks into more usable pieces, especially if you begin by microwaving the block 5-10 seconds per side.](https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Soap) Gotta say, though, I am impressed at the OP’s determination and perseverance in starting with a full-sized brick and just wearing it down! I don’t wanna even lift something that size first thing in the morning, much less risk dropping it on my toe in the shower. Ow ow ow. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/24 "2024-09-11T19:14:38Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > I am impressed at the OP’s determination and perseverance in starting with a full-sized brick and just wearing it down! I honestly didn’t know there was another option. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/25 "2024-09-11T19:32:47Z")
wasnt that the reason for the infamous soap on a rope? were the bars were so big and heavy and you were supposed to hang the soap over the shower head and rub it on when you used it Also, I’ve seen "all-natural deodorant bars " that looked like homemade soap …supposedly there’s not that much difference between them ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/26 "2024-09-12T00:07:54Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > You’d find the homemade soap lasts like forever. Yes! I got some in either Eureka or Arcata last time I was up that way, and one of bars lasted literally years. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/27 "2024-09-13T22:02:49Z")
FWIW, I prefer larger ones because they last longer and therefore there is less wastage when I have to discard the too-small-to-use end. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/28 "2024-09-13T23:13:51Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > It’s easy to cut large soap blocks into more usable pieces, especially if you begin by microwaving the block 5-10 seconds per side. Second this. I’ve been using this really great goat milk soap for the past couple of years and it comes in 3.5 ounce palm-size bars or 9 ounce bars, which are too big for me, so I kept dropping the big bar. I tried cutting one in half with a serrated knife and that worked but took a long time. So I googled and ten seconds in the microwave lying flat and ten more seconds on end and I sliced through it quickly and easily with a board scraper. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/29 "2024-09-13T23:14:33Z")
Cool! Will try this [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054.md?page=1)