making new soap bars from leftover bits?

[Beauchamp]

For some reason, we saved a bunch of leftover soap bits in a bowl next to our tub. I also have a huge glass canister full of random hotel soaps. Is it worth it to try to melt them down, add some oatmeal or something, and make them into new hand soap bars? There was a thread about this with a link to instructions about the soaking/melting/blending/pouring, but I can't find it.

I'm thinking it would be very thrifty, and therefore a Good Thing. But then again, hotel soaps are not going to be very natural, so maybe I should just buy some liquid refills.

[ASusan]

I use a net bag like this

Actually, mine is a $1 version that I pick up at big lots or walgreens.

When I was a child, I was so into saving soaps, I asked for (and received) this soap saver press for Christmas. Was I a dork, or what? (as is it even more dorkier that I could find it within 45 seconds of googling, given that 30 years has passed?)

ETA - it's not worth my effort to melt them down and re-mold them, which is why I prefer the net bag. I put hotel soaps in there, leftover bits from DH's soaps and soaps from the guest room. Every few months, when I'm low on these options, I'll treat myself with some nice natural soaps. LUSH recently had a buy-1-get-2-free sale. (that promo stuff about no fancy prices is a come-on. Their stuff is expensive.)

[amber913]

ASusan--you're not a dork at all! I think that thing looks neat!

I second her response, but had to add my two cents. I grated all of that stuff down--my dad will only use half a bar of soap, no idea why, so mom gives it to me--and mixed it with washing soda and borax for laundry detergent. I also mix 1c. grated soap with 2c. HOT water, let sit for a day, add more water if need be, and use this as dish soap. If it never stays properly liquified, i'll mix it with some store-bought dish soap. I also use this to clean the toilet, and i squirt a little in the dishwasher along with my homemade dishwasher powder.