Posts Tagged soap
Spongeables Make Their Own Suds in the Shower
Spongeables are differently shaped sponges that are already loaded with body wash for use in the shower. Once they are run under a spray of water, and squeezed, they’ll suds up plenty to clean your body from head to toe. Most Spongeables have 20 showers worth of lather in them; the shower gel is filled with good stuff for your skin, such as olive oil, shea butter, glycerin and Vitamins A and E. I’ve sampled a bunch of Spongeables in recent weeks, and overall, I think I’ll file these products under, “Fun and different to use, but not a must have for travel.”
As a carry-on enthusiast, I see the value of bringing along a bath sponge already loaded with shower gel — that’s one less liquid to pack in a quart-sized bag. That said, I’m not too picky about what sorts of soaps and gels I use in the shower and bath, so whatever freebie toiletries a hotel has on hand for me typically work out just fine. Same goes for hotel-provided washcloths.
Also, these are a little bulky; at least 3 by 3 by 2 inches, so it’s not like they won’t take up some space in your travel bag. Honestly, I think I’d be more apt to keep Spongeables at home, rather then packing them for a vacation. In fact, my children really liked using the fruity-scented Oodles of Bubbles for Kids, duck-shaped sponge. And anything that will get my children to stay in the shower longer to get cleaner is a huge plus in my book.
I’m a bit skeptical of another Spongeable product I used: the Anti-Cellulite Body Wash in a Sponge. The ingredients in the shower gel supposedly reduce the appearance of dimpled fat on your thighs. I used this sponge over the course of a week, and can’t say it made my legs look any sleeker. I liked the “rougher” exfoliating side, but the flowery scent was a touch overpowering. Also, this sponge in particular was a bit firm — I had a hard time softening a lot to contour to my body (many of the different Spongeables are equally firm).
Actually, the sponge I like best among the array of Spongeables I sampled recently was the Spongeables for Men. This product softened beautifully in water, and I thought the “manly” smell (like men’s deodorant or after shave) wasn’t as perfume-y as some of those designated for women. The disc shape with an indented middle also made it easy to grip in the shower.
I toted along the heart-shaped For Lovers Only Spongeable on my current family vacation. The heart shape might be better suited for a romantic getaway than the trip I’m on in which I’m sleeping with my husband and kids in a 700-square-foot cottage. Now that I think about it, this particular sponge would make a cute Valentine’s Day gift.
In fact, I’d consider Spongeables as gifts, for sure. Their size would make great stocking stuffers. A particularly nice gift for travelers: the smaller travel size, good for three washes, for $7.99. There’s even a sponge made for dogs for $14.99. Browse the current collection at Spongeables.com; also search for deals on Amazon.com.
Posted by Kara in General Gear, Travel Light on July 5th, 2011
Camper’s Soap-to-Go from Angie’s Suds N’ Such
Here’s a handmade product that’s ideal for fans of sleeping in the outdoors: Camper’s Soap-To-Go. Made by crafty mom Angie, this solid product comes in its own push-up plastic tube. The twist on/off cap ensures it won’t make a mess of your toiletry bag or backpack. It’s more sanitary, more convenient and less messy than a bar of soap in a plastic container or Ziploc bag. The solid soap is also a bonus if you’re flying with only carry-on luggage and have little room in your quart-size bag of liquid toiletries.
I used this tube o’ soap while bathing in the lake during a houseboating trip to Lake Powell this summer, as well as while showering in a campground bathhouse. Honestly, in both places (makeshift natural bathtub and shower) the soap is hard to get sudsy. With a bar of soap, you can rub it around in your hands to make suds, whereas with Camper’s Soap-to-Go and the small amount of solid product that sticks out from the tube, it’s just difficult to get those suds going. I found it a bit easier to make suds when I scraped some of the soap off with my fingernail and had a small bit to rub around in my hands.
Ingredients include coconut oil, safflower oil and palm oil, so it does feel very moisturizing on my skin. Essential oils of citronella, lavender and black pepper are also present, and I definitely smell the citronella the most — all the better, I suppose, to blend in with the typical scents of a campsite.
Each push tube retails for $3.75, and you can buy refills for $2. Angie also sells Soap-To-Go in 50 (!) other scents — from bubble gum to key lime pie to root beer — as well as super-cute novelty items for kids, such a soap shaped and colored to look just like pizza, popcorn and cupcakes. I think any of these soaps would make great stocking stuffers. View all of the products on Angie’s Suds N’ Such online.
Posted by Kara in Travel Light on October 9th, 2009
