This is a tricky question, YES some soaps are biodegradable but it takes time and the perfect environment to actually make them biodegradable.
To understand this we need to first understand what soaps are composed of.
What is soap made of ?
Typically soaps contain fats ( animal or vegetable fat) , some water and an agent to assist in saponification ( turn oil into soap ).
Are all soaps Biodegradable ?
Most beauty soaps and face washes have some or the other chemicals ( phosphates, triclosan, anti bacterial ingredients) making them harmful to the skin and also to the environment.
Most handmade or natural soaps are generally having zero or less chemicals and can be said to biodegradable.
Soaps whatever the labeling says are not truly biodegradable.
General soaps you purchase in the supermarket or online have phosphate and detergents, which pollute our water source hence not Ecofriendly.
Lye (sodium hydroxide) is a necessary ingredient for making your homemade soap.
It reacts with the oils in the recipe to transform them into a usable soap.
The saponification process makes this ingredient safe for your skin and does not contain detergent.
Soaps are Biodegradable or NonBiodegradable ?
So what is biodegradable?
(of a substance or object) capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms and thereby avoiding pollution.: “consumers have forced a shift to more biodegradable products”.
Soaps are biodegradable if you don’t use any surfactants, artificial colors, detergents, fragrance, water conditions which affect fauna and flora.
Even if you do make a soap ensuring all these are not present, it will not biodegrade if the conditions are not right. To biodegrade we need mud or soil to be present. Hence if you are going out camping or trekking, do not use even the biodegradable ones near the water sources.
[su_highlight background=”#fffe99″]Stay at-least 200 feet away from water sources when you use soaps. [/su_highlight]
Why are soaps biodegradable
If soaps contain ingredients that can decompose then they are biodegradable.
Where to buy biodegradable soaps
I have found some really good ones online.
There are many people making and selling such soaps from home via social media ad WhatsApp as well.
Many NGOs are also helping women have a decent livelihood making such soaps from home.
Best Biodegradable Soaps in India
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Liquid Castile Soap INGREDIENTS:
Water
Organic Coconut Oil*
Potassium Hydroxide**
Organic Palm Kernel Oil*
Organic Olive Oil*
Mentha Arvensis
Organic Hemp Oil
Organic Jojoba Oil
Mentha Piperita
Citric Acid
Tocopherol
This soap is gentle yet strong enough to make you feel clean and leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated.
This soap has multi-purpose uses, it can be used for washing the face, skin hair and also for household cleaning like dishes, mopping, laundry.
Most people stay away from using these biodegradable bath products because of the lack of fragrance (as compared to the commercially acclaimed variety).
We often go on the appearance and packing of skin care products and forget what is most important.
Thanks for the eye opener!
Wow… that is some information on soaps. I had heard about organic soaps and all but biodegradable is first for me. I don’t know whether they r the same but that is one nice info I received from your post. thanks.
#readbypreetispanorama for #MyFriendAlexa
Pretty expensive stuff but surely worth the money. I actually never thought that soaps can nonbiodegradable too. For a layman like me, it just dissolves, lather up and goes off with water. End of story. Now that I am aware, thanks to you, I’ll be more watchful of the ingredients. #surreads #myfriendalexa #blogchatter
I second Surbhi here. For me, a soap has always been…a soap. Never considered whether it wreaks havoc on our environment. Your post is very informative and thanks for providing the links.
Are the ones at The Body Shop biodegradable? While switching for the right reasons is definitely encouraged, the affordability factor of these products is a matter of concern.
Generally people are skeptical about using the same product for the floor and the body. I too am skeptical. Wouldn’t it be bad for the skin if it has the power to clean dishes and floor?
I only knew that soaps are not biodegradable and they are the main reasons for our polluted water bodies. It’s great to know that there are now biodegradable soaps available in the market. Thanks for sharing!
I’m more of natural and organic skincare lover, this was a superb post 🙂
Never heard of these brands personally, will research on some affordable ones soon.
#MyFriendAlexa #vigorousreads
Most people stay away from using these biodegradable bath products because of the lack of fragrance (as compared to the commercially acclaimed variety).
We often go on the appearance and packing of skin care products and forget what is most important.
Thanks for the eye opener!
Biodegradable soaps are good for environment. Thanks for sharing.
The soap which has multiple features stands out 🙂
Wow… that is some information on soaps. I had heard about organic soaps and all but biodegradable is first for me. I don’t know whether they r the same but that is one nice info I received from your post. thanks.
#readbypreetispanorama for #MyFriendAlexa
Pretty expensive stuff but surely worth the money. I actually never thought that soaps can nonbiodegradable too. For a layman like me, it just dissolves, lather up and goes off with water. End of story. Now that I am aware, thanks to you, I’ll be more watchful of the ingredients. #surreads #myfriendalexa #blogchatter
Surbhi me too… never considered something biodegradable… now I am trying to get more aware
I second Surbhi here. For me, a soap has always been…a soap. Never considered whether it wreaks havoc on our environment. Your post is very informative and thanks for providing the links.
Thanks Latha for the information, it is time calling to use biodegradable product.
I plan to make soap at home to ensure that I understand what goes into the soap making. Have you ever tried your hand on making soaps?
Are the ones at The Body Shop biodegradable? While switching for the right reasons is definitely encouraged, the affordability factor of these products is a matter of concern.
Awareness is the key. Many aren’t aware of the advantages of using Biodegradable products… Or even that Biodegradable Soaps exist.
I have never tried a biodegradable soap, but I think I’d like to give it a try sometime.
[@samantha_rjsdr]
A great post indeed. I make my own soaps and have stopped buying commercial ones completely.
Very informative. This is new to me. 🙂
Generally people are skeptical about using the same product for the floor and the body. I too am skeptical. Wouldn’t it be bad for the skin if it has the power to clean dishes and floor?
I only knew that soaps are not biodegradable and they are the main reasons for our polluted water bodies. It’s great to know that there are now biodegradable soaps available in the market. Thanks for sharing!
I’m more of natural and organic skincare lover, this was a superb post 🙂
Never heard of these brands personally, will research on some affordable ones soon.
#MyFriendAlexa #vigorousreads
Never imagined that even soaps can biodegradable. Thank you for sharing the information