Soap on a Rope

[lalindsey4671]

Hello from Canada again. So I gave 2 questions for all you soap experts.

1) I want to add a hole to my cured cold pressed soap to attach a rope. Physics and ergonomically speaking do you think it's better to put the hole in the top corner or top centre of the soap. Or alternatively to put the hole through the side end the soap? Trying to think like an engineer to get the best opening for the rope.

2) would you use a wax coated cotton for the rope or a hemp fiber? I like the look of a white cotton rope, but am concerned about bacteria, water logging etc.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Nona'sFarm]

I think it's personal preference for the placement of the hole. Personally, I would go for the top center, but it may be easier to place it in the corner. I wouldn't feel like it had to be exactly centered if I used the corner.
I have only made MP soap-on-a-rope. I used plain cotton candle wicking, braided three strands together for the rope. Yes, it will harbor some bacteria in time, but the soap is used up before it becomes dangerous, in my opinion. I am not a germ / bacteria specialist. Both my family members and I have tried out these soaps and no one had a problem. This doesn't qualify as a scientific research study, so follow your own best inner guidance.

 

[JakeBlanton]

I remember soap-on-a-rope being a "thing" back in the mid-70s. I haven't noticed it for a few decades though. Is it still popular? When I was in the Navy, some guys would take one of the polyester dress socks and put their soap in it. The material was thin, but very strong. It was great for being able to wash your back. Many guys are just not limber enough to reach their backs with their hands, especially some of the "muscle-bound" guys because of the way they train. Maybe putting a bar of soap in a sock sounds strange, but it works great. It doesn't slip out of your hand and the sock takes the place of a wash cloth. Not that I'm proposing that for your task at hand -- just pointing out some trivia from the past. Never had a problem with mold / bacteria growing on the sock since it basically is getting washed every day (usually twice each day).