Thread: 'pre-owned' shave soaps,safe?

It may be perfectly safe however to me it's like going into a restaurant and the folks next to you leave half the meal and you go over and eat it. Just a yuck factor I guess. I know we do it all the time with our family but not strangers.

Personally I wouldn't offer used soap, not that I think there is anything wrong health wise but more as was previously mentioned, the "yuk" factor.
I've broken in new stinky shave brushes of assorted animal hairs that I eventually took pride in massaging my face with.
Who hasn't changed dirty diapers, or reached into a bowl of food (peanuts/candy/chips) that others had their hands in?
Same "Yuk" factor for me.
Maybe we could simply wash the soap with soap?

I sometimes get/swap used soap with family and friends, but never from people that I don't know.

Just something about buying an item that's used and related to personal hygene that you can't disinfect. No thanks, I'll pass.

Pete <:-}

"To each his own"
I don't like to invite people to join us in our hot tub.
When I explained to a friend that to me it would be like asking guests to join me in the shower.
He replied, yeah so what's your point.....

I buy cheap soap anyway so I pretty much buy new ...

Good question.

It seems to me that it would be safe, after all only the surface of the soap is dissolved in the water and then solidified back, so one could simply scrape off the surface, pretty similar to sanding or polishing or even washing a razor.
But probably not necessary anyways given that regular pathogens don't tend to thrive in such environment and the ones that survive would probably make their way on your skin in countless other ways already.

I guess the people who would consider it are past the 'yuck' factor already - we all have our own idiosyncrasies

Originally Posted by gugi

Good question.

It seems to me that it would be safe, after all only the surface of the soap is dissolved in the water and then solidified back, so one could simply scrape off the surface, pretty similar to sanding or polishing or even washing a razor.
But probably not necessary anyways given that regular pathogens don't tend to thrive in such environment and the ones that survive would probably make their way on your skin in countless other ways already.

I guess the people who would consider it are past the 'yuck' factor already - we all have our own idiosyncrasies

I would beware of soap that had dried, cracked, infected and then rehydrated. The germs could be deep in the puck.

Can virus and bacteria live very long in a soap made with animal fat?

I believe you are at greatest risk from disease transmission by (anyones) soap if:

1. You are having sex with it;
2. You are eating it;
3. You inject it into your blooddstream; or
4. You find it on a toilet seat and wash your tongue with it.

Success killing live bacteria, once considered to be mere contact with wet soap, has been demonstrated to be less soap-dependent and more dependent on brisk rubbing (with or without soap) using cold, warm or hot water; or by applying 60-90% alcohol hand sanitizers. Using soap for lather would, however, entail brisk rubbing and thorough rinsing and, for many of us, a subsequent application of antiseptic fragrance.

Therefore, I don't see why anyone who wants to use someone elses soap should not. I wouldn't because it sounds disgusting but anyone else can. Well, nobody in my family, anyhow. Exception: the dog. I would probably wash the dog with someone elses soap. If I was wearing gloves.

Dang !!! the dog, the most loyal member of the family,,, has to use second hand soap ,,,