You may well have wondered: Is it true that switching from shower gel to bar soap, you can help save our planet? What are the advantages of bar soap compared to shower gel?

Here are some good reasons to switch to bar soap: Bar soap generates less waste and saves money. Unlike a bottle of shower gel, bar soap uses very little (or no) packaging. You can buy it in bulk with no packaging if you are looking for a zero-waste lifestyle, or in recyclable packaging such as paper, cardboard or plastic.

Olive oil Marseille soap uses:

• Daily gentle face and body wash: Gently wash away the day’s impurities! Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. It prevents drying, due to the soap being rich in vegetable oils. Recommended by dermatologists. No additives such as coloring, fragrance, parabens, or palm oil. Lather with hands (or our Iris Hantverk Bath Puck!) and warm water, rinse thoroughly. Keep away from eyes, it will sting! Rinse eyes thoroughly in case of soap contact. 
• Hand washing: Keeps hands clean and soft!
• Shampoo: Gentle on the scalp. Works well for greasy hair, but maintains hydrating properties for dry hair. Simply wet hair with warm water, lather up your Marseille soap, wash and rinse.
• Natural toothpaste(!?): Marius Fabre suggests olive oil soap for a natural toothpaste alternative, while we won’t necessarily be trying this out ourselves, it’s good to know in case of emergencies? Let us know if you try this! Marseille olive oil soap keeps gums healthy, and teeth clean and white. Environmentally friendly. Rub wet toothbrush on soap, and brush! Rinse mouth thoroughly with water. 
• Relieve cramps: Another unique suggestion from Marius Fabre! Suffering from cramps or rheumatism? Marius Fabre recommends: Use a cube or slice of the olive oil Marseille soap. Place in a fabric pouch or face cloth, place it under the sheet to the bottom of the bed. Leave it there, wait and see! 
• Soothe burns: Soothe light burns or sunburns with your olive oil soap! Run your burn under cold water while applying your soap directly to the affected area.
• Relieve itching: Thanks to the high pH, Marseille olive oil soap has antiseptic properties that soothe irritations and allergens. From irritations such as eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, etc. Rub irritated areas gently with the Marseille olive oil soap cube several times a week.
• Cleaning wounds: As stated above, Marseille olive oil soap has antiseptic properties, making it the perfect disinfectant for small wounds and scratches. Swab damaged skin with a damp piece of Marseille soap and rinse in clean water.
• Moth repellent: The oils in Marseille olive oil soap are offensive to moths. By hanging a slice of olive oil Marseille soap in your closet, moths will not be inclined to lay eggs and breed. Marius Fabre recommends hanging a slice in cabinets or closets, and putting a few pieces in the folds of linens or garment pockets. Remember to replace the soap slice after a few months (it will dry out) to maintain efficacy! 
• Makeup brushes: Keep your makeup brushes clean and soft with olive oil Marseille soap! Lather brushes with warm water and olive oil soap, rinse well and lay flat to dry.

White Marseille soap for the laundry uses:

For Fabric:

• Washing delicate fabrics: Guaranteed color, fragrance, and additive free! Gentle efficient wash for any and all fabrics. Marseille soap for the laundry is hypoallergenic, making it perfect for those with even the most sensitive skins such as babies and reactive skin types. For a hand wash, even with delicates (baby clothes, silk, woolens, etc.), dissolve 25 grams of Marseille soap flakes in 5 liters of hot water. Let soak, then wash and rinse thoroughly. *Use cold water for woolens.
• Remove stubborn stains: Marseille soap is unequalled in stain removing properties! Butter, coffee, chocolate, blood, etc! Marseille soap for the laundry has no coloring, fragrances, or additives; it is gentle, but provides powerful cleansing properties. It is suitable for sensitive and allergy prone skin. Simply moisten the stain and your Marseille white soap for the laundry with COLD water! Hot water will cause the stain to set into the fibers. Rub the stain with Marseille soap and let soak for a few hours. Machine wash for irreproachable results!
• Homemade Laundry soap: Make your own laundry wash with Marseille soap flakes! Hypoallergenic, color, fragrance, and additive free. Economical and ecological, you can use your laundry liquid on any fabrics, but especially on delicates. 
• To make 1 liter of homemade laundry wash: 25 grams of Marseille soap flakes, 1 liter of water, 1 tablespoon of baking soda (optional), 10 drops of essential oil of your choice! Put the Marseille soap flakes into a large bowl. Heat water in a kettle or saucepan. Pour boiling water onto the soap flakes and mix until soap has completely dissolved. Leave to cool. Add baking soda and essential oils (optional). Pour into an empty bottle or container!
• Use: Pour a small amount of the liquid into the detergent compartment of your washing machine, or into the tub with garments. You can make your Marseille washing liquid in advance so that it’s ready when you need it. If it sets in the storage bottle or container, shake well before use until the liquid is smooth again!

Home & Garden:

• Cleaning floors, furniture and rugs: Marseille soap for the laundry leaves a pleasant scent in the home and makes your floors shine! For cleaning, pour 40 grams of grated soap or soap flakes into 2 liters of hot water. Dip cloth into mixture and clean as usual.
• For work surfaces, furniture, and electrical appliances, rub Marseille soap directly onto a sponge, clean stains then rinse. Wipe off with a soft cloth if necessary.
• Deep clean rugs: Mix 2-3 tablespoons of Marseille soap flakes with 1 liter of warm water. Dip a stiff brush into the mixture and scrub rug. Lift up and leave to dry!

• Homemade dish-washing liquid: Hypoallergenic and gentle on hands! Pour 20 grams of Marseille soap flakes into about 10 ounces of very hot water, mix until perfectly fluid. Leave to cool, then add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. The mixture will become frothy. To finish, you can add a few drops of essential oils to scent your homemade dish-washing liquid. Try your new dish soap with our Iris Hantverk Slender Dish Brush, or Round Scrub Brush for environmentally friendly cleaning!

• Clean leather sofas: Use a lint-free cloth dampened with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of Marseille soap (you can grate your white block soap!) and about two cups of water. Pat gently, not rubbing or pressing too hard, while cleaning. Marseille white soap for the laundry will restore the shine to your leather sofa.
• Greenfly prevention: Marseille soap is an excellent natural insect-killer,  effective for keeping aphids and insects off your plants. It is a naturally biodegradable solution that avoids the use of toxic products on plants and soils. Dissolve a few Marseille soap flakes in water and spray your plants. Repeat every 3 days.

Miscellaneous Cleaning:

• Reviving leather handbags: To revive leather handbags or purses, clean carefully with Marseille soapy water with a few drops of ammonia. Leave to dry in the shade, once dry rub with a soft cloth moistened with lemon juice. You can also do this with leather jackets or other leather garments!

• Clean gold jewelry: Soak your gold jewelry for about ten minutes in a bowl of hot water and 1 tablespoon of Marseille soap. Scrub with a soft toothbrush, rinse, and leave to dry on a paper towel. 
• Clean plastic, glass, or bronze trinkets: Dip in a bowl of warm water and a few Tbsp of Marseille soap for the laundry. Brush gently with a toothbrush, dry with a soft cloth.