Dear Heloise: Is there some way to melt those soap chips that are left at the end of a bar of soap? I have several cups of soap chips and would like to make either a lotion or a large bar of soap with them.—Guin B., San Clemente, Calif.

There are several ways to reuse slivers of similar soaps (different types of soaps often do not stick together, or stay mixed together if combined). Here are just a few:

n Wrap slivers in a washcloth and wet it. Microwave for only 10-15 seconds. Remove and, making sure the washcloth is not too hot to handle, press tightly to form a bar. ...

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