Why You Should Dilute Your Soap
Author: Mel, July 10, 2017
Adding a bit of water to your soap when it’s almost done is a simple trick I learned from my grandma. In our home, we never wasted anything. And with the same logic, I keep this tradition alive by diluting my soap to get the most of every drop.
Here’s why it’s practical: a 7.5 oz soap bottle tends to give around 125 pumps. Considering that you get about one hand wash per pump and the soap costs about $2.00, you’re spending slightly above a cent per hand wash. But, if you add water when the soap isn’t pumping well, you squeeze out every last bit of soap, giving around 5-10 additional pumps. Optimistically, let’s say you get 10 extra pumps. Thus, your cost per pump goes down.
Now, I get it if you think it’s quite trivial. Honestly, the significance isn’t in the money saved. It’s about shifting your mind-set. Observing everyday things differently can lead to optimization in other areas of life.
Extend this mentality, and you’ll find ways to extend meals by adding lower-cost ingredients to pricier dishes. Your dinner leftovers become tomorrow’s lunch. Patching jeans instead of buying a new pair saves you about $30. You may realize that investing in dryer balls saves you money over time, especially if you have a big family and laundry seems never ending. Exploring your local library might make you reconsider that Netflix subscription.
Diluting soap is just one small change that promotes frugality and resourcefulness. It’s a quick win and a boost to morale by authentically saving something. Yes, you might save around ten cents a year by diluting soap. But it’s the mindset change that’ll lead to substantial savings in the long term.
So friends, it’s time to think differently. Every little bit counts. Spread the word!