Thread: How do you keep track?

I've only been at this a few months but already I have a dozen different soaps: some in wooden bowls, some in the bottom of mugs. A few of the bowls came with labels from the manufacterer. Others aren't labelled and none of the pucks in mugs are. In order to keep track I wrote a cryptic note with a Sharpie on the bottom of the mug or bowl. That doesn't seem like a very good long term strategy. Another thought I had was to label each bowl/mug with a number and keep a separate list with mug number and the soap in it. The Proraso and Cella aren't an issue but there are others I have to try, of course. I'm sure you understand.

So...what do you guys do? I want a way to recall with certainty those soaps I really like so I can restock when they're used up.

The sharpie trick will work quite nicely. Just label the mug/bowl with the actual contents or make some peel and stick labels if you are afraid the sharpie will permanently mark.

I find a quick sniff will normally be enough for me to know what soap is which. So unless you have a bunch that smell alike I think you will be alright.

The vast majority of my soaps/creams are in the original containers, and those that aren't are identifiable by scent. In your case, as has been mentioned, I suppose the best way would be to use a labelled sticker or piece or masking tape to mark the generic conatiners.

Soon you will remember what each one is simply by the sense of smell.

Originally Posted by Castel33

I find a quick sniff will normally be enough for me to know what soap is which. So unless you have a bunch that smell alike I think you will be alright.

I believe there is such a thing as fragrance memory. Mine seems to be deficient, certainly compared to yours. I cannot link the recalled fragrance with a name except for a very few.

Could be. Could be that I used each new soap for a month straight to develop a good feel for it and how it shaves.

Unless you're set on a specific mug design, then you could get new mugs or bowls. Having them in different colors helps you label and identify the soaps easier. Make a list of mug color and the soap that is in it.

The wooden mugs can be engraved for a more permanent ID solution.

Otherwise, you'll have to label the mugs, as mentioned in the previous posts. You can use tape, a small labeling machine, or order good quality labels online. My wife ordered labels from namebubbles.com with the kids' names on them and puts them on everything; she washes some labeled containers and the labels stay remain on without any sign of wear.

I only have one puck that isnt in its original container so its not that tough. A simple label should do the trick however.

I hang onto the boxes my newest soaps came in and have them stuffed in a drawer with my razor cases, just in case I should forget the name of the soap and want to get some more in the future... Smell and color/texture are usually enough for me to distinguish soaps from one another also.