The DU Lounge

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,795 posts)

47. Probably not a good idea.

Fri Dec 6, 2019, 07:57 AM

Dec 2019

Bar soap isn't much different from all the other detergents we send down the drain but being a solid, the pieces may settle in the bottom of your large low-velocity sewer line and encourage buildups. Some soaps and all vegetable oils tend to build up in plumbing and attract paper fibers. Both will turn into waxy buildups if they sit in pipes for extended periods.

Better to just throw scrap bar soap in the garbage if you can't use it for a utility sink, lubricating drawer slides, etc.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

47 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

flushing a used up bar of soap down the toilet [View all] CTyankee Dec 2019 OP

Nothing should go down the toilet except what it's intended for CousinIT Dec 2019 #1

Thanks. I surely wouldn't flush down everything else on your list but for some reason CTyankee Dec 2019 #2

Not a good idea tenaciousdem Dec 2019 #3

OK. I was going to call our plumber friend but I'm afraid he'd get bent...he's retired now but he CTyankee Dec 2019 #6

No, not even the "flushable"ones. sl8 Dec 2019 #8

I never flush wipes. I don't care what the label says. CousinIT Dec 2019 #15

Why cyclonefence Dec 2019 #4

hey great idea! I love it! CTyankee Dec 2019 #7

Ohhh! +1 n/t CousinIT Dec 2019 #16

I always stick my small soap slivers to the next new bar, so they get used up completely.... lastlib Dec 2019 #25

+1. dchill Dec 2019 #26

Same here. Aristus Dec 2019 #33

We have a weird problem at work exboyfil Dec 2019 #5

I'm sure others have ideas, but probably all you can do is install Ferrets are Cool Dec 2019 #14

There's no need FBaggins Dec 2019 #9

Not sure, but never flush a GI Joe doll. LuckyCharms Dec 2019 #10

Had some work done on my septic system. safeinOhio Dec 2019 #11

We never dispose of soap genxlib Dec 2019 #12

This! NurseJackie Dec 2019 #18

But in my experience they keep separating. NT raccoon Dec 2019 #46

When I'm down to a sliver I just press it onto a new bar. No waste. 🧼 Floyd R. Turbo Dec 2019 #13

I've removed fish, toys, gravel, tampons, a tape measure and such from toilets. Kaleva Dec 2019 #17

Are you hooked up to a municipal sewer system, or do you have a septic tank? NurseJackie Dec 2019 #19

municipal sewer system CTyankee Dec 2019 #20

You're flushing money down the drain Brother Buzz Dec 2019 #21

Others on this thread have suggested same. I must admit I never thought of it and it's kinda CTyankee Dec 2019 #22

I think we Lindsay Dec 2019 #27

If you were **real** Yankee, you would save those slivers and mash them together jpak Dec 2019 #23

I'm sorry not to be a real Yankee (I just live in CT). CTyankee Dec 2019 #24

Don't do it! 2naSalit Dec 2019 #28

Use body wash Freddie Dec 2019 #29

Soap is better for the environment, though. femmedem Dec 2019 #30

Our water is so hard ordinary bar soap is unpleasant. hunter Dec 2019 #31

We have hard water too Freddie Dec 2019 #41

I love body wash but hubby likes the soap (he would never use body wash). CTyankee Dec 2019 #36

I put it on a new bar of soap, that way, no waste. Fla Dem Dec 2019 #32

When my bars of soap get small, they go next to the sink csziggy Dec 2019 #34

I have a septic tank and pay attention to it's "health". panader0 Dec 2019 #35

we have city sewer system, thank god. CTyankee Dec 2019 #37

I remember some years ago there was a jar of some kind panader0 Dec 2019 #39

Do not do this. MicaelS Dec 2019 #38

That could be a sudsy catastrophe. nt zanana1 Dec 2019 #40

Yes, and I am humbled by responses to my query and will reform my ways... CTyankee Dec 2019 #42

Why would you not just toss it in the trash? Tipperary Dec 2019 #44

That's what I did but what you do is far preferable and I'll try it! CTyankee Dec 2019 #45

The bar will take awhile to disolve. It could get stuck in one of the traps. LeftInTX Dec 2019 #43

Probably not a good idea. KY_EnviroGuy Dec 2019 #47