# What's a "soap re-conglomerator" called? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 15, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-soap-re-conglomerator-called/571446 "2011-02-15T14:07:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-soap-re-conglomerator-called/571446/1 "2011-02-15T14:07:04Z")
I like bar soap but at the same time dislike small portions of bar soap, and so want to purchase a device that will mash them back into one. I hear they had such devices in the Great Depression. I can look for them online if I knew what they were called. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-soap-re-conglomerator-called/571446/2 "2011-02-15T14:17:13Z")
There may be a device, but we just squish them back into the next bar of soap. I don’t think I’ve thrown out a sliver in a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-soap-re-conglomerator-called/571446/3 "2011-02-15T15:19:41Z")
That doesn’t work for me, even if the pieces are wet and I squeeze hard and it’s Irish Spring (which I hear is good at re-barification). So I’d like some mechanical help. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-soap-re-conglomerator-called/571446/4 "2011-02-15T15:25:19Z")
They sell in housewares sections and on the Internet mesh bags that hold the slivers. This will let you use them for washing until they are gone. [This is an example - I know nothing about the seller. Caveat emptor.](http://www.bonanza.com/booths/thegourmetrose/items/MESH_SOAP_SAVER_SACK_Bath_Sponge_Shower_Sliver_Sox_Tube) ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-soap-re-conglomerator-called/571446/5 "2011-02-15T15:27:17Z")
Here’s [a Hints from Heloise article](http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/dailycols/6062579.html) about recycling soap slivers: > [@](#): > > **Dear Heloise:** > > Is there some way to melt soap chips that are left at the end of a bar of soap? I would like to make either a lotion or a large bar of soap with them. > > **GUIN B**., San Clemente, Calif. > > There are several ways to reuse slivers of similar soaps. Here are just a few: > > [ul] > [li]Wrap slivers in a washcloth and wet it. Microwave for only 10-15 seconds. Remove and, making sure the washcloth is not too hot to handle, press tightly to form a bar. Carefully unwrap the bar and run it under cold water to set.[/li][li]Grate slivers and put them into an empty coffee can with a little water. Put the can into a pan of water on the stove and heat on low until the slivers liquefy. Do not leave it unattended. Pour the warm soap from the can into candy molds or muffin tins, then let cool.[/li][li]Put a little water into a dish and soak slivers overnight. Pour the soap mixture into a blender, making sure it is less than half full. Blend on “grate” setting a little at a time, adding water as needed to get the desired consistency, and you’ve made liquid hand soap.[/li][/ul] > > **HELOISE** ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-soap-re-conglomerator-called/571446/6 "2011-02-15T15:48:29Z")
I take the slivers, stuff them into an old discarded shampoo bottle, add some water and voila, I have soft soap. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-soap-re-conglomerator-called/571446/7 "2011-02-15T15:53:11Z")
I’d probably call that a “soap press.”