«Twist Soap» rethinks the concept of soap
Carrying a bar of soap in a slimy container when you’re travelling will soon be a thing of the past. The soap dispenser by Martina Borsoi isn’t only an alternative to plastic-packaged cosmetics, but also a soap-to-go.
Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) student Martina Borsoi had originally planned to write her final thesis in Morocco. However, her trip, part of an exchange programme of the bachelor course in «Trends and Identity», was cancelled due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, Martina stuck to her original idea and worked on it in Switzerland. Eager not to give up using solid soap even in times of the Corona crisis, she designed a handy system that makes it possible to wash your hands, face, body and even hair anytime and anywhere. I met the graduate in a Zurich café and talked about what makes her «Twist Soap» special.
What is the soap-to-go?
Martina Borsoi: The Twist Soap is a solid natural soap that can be used to wash any part of the body. The soap is released by twisting the dispenser.
How did you come up with this idea?
I‘ve been using solid soap for a long time, but have never had an all-purpose natural soap. On top of this, although I’ve reduced my plastic consumption, I was missing a soap dispenser that allows dispensing solid soap in portions and right when you need it. When during the Corona crisis, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recommended using liquid soap, I wanted to do something. I was adamant to develop a soap dispenser that allows hygienic use of solid soap.
What's the soap made of?
My natural soap consists of water, caustic soda and plant-based oils and fats. The Corona crisis forced me to think locally. As I live in Flims, I came across Lake Cauma. This mountain lake is often called a healing spring. In myths, water from Lake Cauma is used to relieve various skin problems, rashes and eye conditions.
What does the soap smell like?
As water is scentless, I had the idea to make essential oils from the woods of the forest that surrounds the lake. I created the essential oils of the Cauma edition with spruce needles, silver fir and a little bit of mountain pine.
How did the design come about?
I started off by making many sketches. Mainly because of the function and to find out which turning mechanisms exist and how a grater can work. I’m not an industrial designer, but have some experience in this field. I took my sketches to a carpenter from Flims and created various prototypes with him. I wanted to create a design that didn’t look like the usual square shape. It also had to be a space-saving and stackable solution to make shipping and on-the-go use easy. I also wanted the design to be gender neutral – a no-frills design with a twist.
How does the soap dispenser work?
Two mechanisms are built into the cylindrical case: the rotating mechanism that lifts the soap down to the rasp and the rasp for portioning out the soap core. Once the soap is used up, a new one can be inserted.
What’s this portable soap dispenser made of?
I found a native beech tree, which is naturally fine pored and water-repellent. In addition to wood, the Twist Soap is made of brass-coloured chrome steel.
Did you test any other materials?
I quickly decided on wood, as bacteria can survive for a shorter time on wooden than on plastic surfaces. Chrome steel, which is often used for cutlery, turned out to be the ideal choice for the golden details, because it doesn’t rust.
Why do you think there’s no solid soap dispenser on the market yet?
During my research, I came across a similar solution that used to be used in the toiled of old SBB trains: a dispenser that could be twisted to release soap in powder form. However, my guess is that the soap was processed into powder before it was filled into the container. I wanted to come up with a different and better concept. My solid soap core isn’t grated beforehand but right when you need it. This way, it’s fresh and doesn’t stick to the shower.
How did you go about making the soap?
At first, I didn't know how to make soap. So I looked for people who could help me and found a pharmacist who taught me her basic recipes. She also showed me how to create a woody and warm scent. We developed the recipe via zoom, I bought the ingredients from an organic pharmacy and produced the soap in my kitchen.
What are your plans for the future, now that you’ve completed your degree and have invented the Twist Soap?
I want to introduce the product onto the market. I’ve talked to sustainable concept stores and have received positive feedback so far. This gives me strength to carry on. I’m continuing to test what can be improved on the product. I’d like to pass on the soap recipe to a production company at some point and then expand the product line. The Cauma edition is just the beginning.
Until Martina can produce the Twist Soap in larger quantities, her design is protected by ZHdK. Until then, feel free to follow the young designer on her Instagram account and find out when the Twist Soap-to-Go is available.
Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.