We've all been there: standing in the shower, watching the soap bubbles swirl down the drain while thinking about the day's tasks. It's a mindless act. But have you ever thought about where those bubbles go?
After they go down the drain, they enter our water systems. They flow into greywater tanks, rivers, and eventually into the ocean.
Recently, "biodegradable" has become a popular term. When it comes to handmade soap, it's based on chemistry. Today, we will explore why switching from your beauty bar to handmade soap is an easy and effective way to help protect our water.
What Happens When Soap Flows Into The Sea?
To understand why handmade soap is important, we first need to look at the problem. Most soaps in everyday stores are not real soap; they are classified as synthetic detergents.
The Problem with Synthetic Detergents
Commercial soaps often contain synthetic surfactants such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), along with phthalates and parabens. These chemicals are primarily designed to create excessive foam and remove grease.
However, the problem is that they are highly resilient and do not easily break down when they enter the ecosystem. This persistence can lower the surface tension of water, making it easier for fish to absorb pesticides and other toxins. Even more concerning is that many commercial soaps include phosphates, which act as fertilizers. When too many phosphates enter waterways, they lead to algal blooms. These extensive growths of algae deplete oxygen in the water, resulting in dead zones, where aquatic life cannot survive.
The Handmade Difference
Handmade soap is quite distinct from commercial varieties. It is created through saponification, which is a natural chemical reaction between fats (such as oils and butters) and lye.
Once the soap has cured, the lye is no longer present, and it leaves behind a blend of soap salts and natural glycerin. Since these ingredients come from nature, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, our bodies interact with them effectively.
Rapid Biodegradability
The molecular structure of natural soap is easily broken down by bacteria and microorganisms present in soil and water. In contrast, synthetic detergents can linger in the environment for weeks or even months. True handmade soap, however, begins to decompose almost immediately. Within a short period, it returns to the earth, leaving behind no trace of harmful chemicals.
Greywater Friendly
If you live in an area that utilizes greywater systems (which recycle water from sinks and showers to irrigate gardens), using handmade soap is essential. Synthetic detergents can harm soil health over time by altering pH levels and killing beneficial microbes. Meanwhile, natural soap, especially varieties that are unscented or lightly scented with pure essential oils, is gentler on your plants and the worms that aerate your soil.
No Microplastics
Many exfoliating commercial soaps used to contain microbeads. While these have been banned in several countries, many liquid soaps still contain liquid polymers (essentially liquid plastic) to create a specific texture. Artisanal soaps use poppy seeds, ground coffee, or sea salt for exfoliation; materials that the ocean recognizes as its own.
Our Role
It’s easy to think our individual choices don't matter in the face of global pollution. But think of it this way: the average person uses about 10 to 12 bars of soap a year. Over a lifetime, that’s nearly 800 bars of soap.
When you choose a handmade bar, you are protecting a fish and a coral reef while supporting a local maker at the same time. You are choosing a product that was stirred by hand, cut by a person, and cured with patience. There is a different type of speciality in homemade products that a factory-line detergent can never replicate.
Spot a Truly Eco-Friendly Bar
Here's how you will prep yourself to make the switch!
The Short List: If you can pronounce the ingredients (Olive Oil, Cocoa Butter, Essential Oils), you’re on the right track.
Palm Oil Awareness: If the soap contains palm oil, ensure it is RSPO Certified Sustainable. Unregulated palm oil contributes to deforestation, which hurts the water cycle. Even better: look for "Palm-Free" bars.
Essential Oils over "Fragrance": Synthetic fragrances often contain phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors for both humans and marine life. Essential oils are plant-derived and more biodegradable.
Minimalist Packaging: A biodegradable bubble isn't very helpful if it comes wrapped in three layers of plastic. Look for paper-wrapped bars, or even naked ones.
What's Next?
The next time you’re in the shower, take a moment to enjoy those "biodegradable bubbles." There is a deep sense of peace that comes from knowing your self-care routine isn't coming at the expense of the planet.
Every time we choose a natural, handmade product, we are casting a vote for cleaner rivers and a more vibrant ocean. We are choosing to be part of the cycle, rather than an interruption to it.
Start small. Replace your kitchen hand soap with an artisanal bar and watch how your skin and your conscience feel better!
