Though most now prefer the perfumed, colorfully hued liquid varieties available at the drugstore today, we’d never knock the cleansing power of a classic bar of soap. The no-fuss, nostalgic product brings us straight back to grandma’s house, where it was a mainstay on every bathroom counter and shower shelf.
While there are many versatile uses for bar soap that go beyond bathtime, one stands out as quite the clever addition to your next trip. Here’s why you should make room in your luggage for a bar of soap.
What Makes Bar Soap a Travel Essential
Getty Images/Tetra Images
When packing your clothes and necessities into your luggage for your next trip, consider adding a bar of soap to keep your items smelling fresh from long travel days to your destination and beyond.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«Rme4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R16e4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeA handy travel trick, packing a bar of soap—placed inside a spare sock or wrapped in some sort of breathable fabric—helps deodorize clothes that might tend to smell less-than-fresh after days of travel. It gives your luggage a laundry-esque aroma instead of the travel-weary stench that might try to creep up.
Moreover, even when placed in packing bags, shoes (and even swimwear) can lend less-than-ideal stench to your luggage, and bar soap can help stave off the unpleasantness, so that every outfit feels freshly washed. You can even use it to scrub out any stains that might occur during your travels.
How To Properly Pack A Bar Of Soap In Your Luggage
Getty Images/the_burtons
While quite easy and quick to add to your luggage list, bar soap should be packed appropriately to ensure smooth traveling.
First, choose your soap of choice: A classic bar soap from your childhood is more than sufficient for your needs, though you can choose something herbal in scent such as lavender or rosemary for added freshness.
Next, pack it up: It’s important to keep the soap totally covered and separate from your clothing, just in case changes in temperature or general jostling causes any sort of unforeseen damage to the bar soap. Choose a spare sock and loop it at the end to secure, or choose a breathable piece of fabric such as cheesecloth or muslin to wrap around the bar soap.
Finally, choose your placement wisely: What’s your biggest concern? Smelly shoes? Fresh-smelling clothes? In general, nestling the wrapped bar soap in between clothes or undergarments makes a good choice.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«Rte4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R1de4kr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeAnd don’t be afraid to use that bar soap on your trip if the need arises, whether the rental house forgot to put soap in the shower or you get a pesky stain on your favorite shirt. Just dry it out thoroughly, and you’re good to go on your next packing day.
Read the original article on Southern Living
