Of course, you probably already know that handmade soap is used in the shower or bath to cleanse the skin or at the sink to wash your hands. It can also be used as a shampoo bar and even a facial cleanser. But did you know that there is an uncommon usage of handmade soap or other types of soap as ASMR soap that you may not have even heard or thought about? It is known as soap cutting, and it is also done for reasons you may not have heard about.
Other than soap cutting during handmade soap making what else does this term mean?
Soapmakers may be familiar with talking about soap cutting, but they usually mean cutting a loaf of fancy handmade soap into bars of soap using a knife, a cheese cutter, or a multi-bar soap cutter. But another usage of that term exists that is unrelated to these tasks. For some, it means cutting a bar of soap into pieces just for the pleasure or relaxing feeling it brings to hear the soap being cut with a knife. Handmade soap can even be used as ASMR soap and we will tell you more about that later in this blog post.
Soap cutting or carving can be a relaxing experience, especially if you enjoy watching the soap being cut into small pieces. For some people, the sound of soap being cut or carved can also be soothing and provide relief from stress. This is known as ASMR or autonomous sensory meridian response. ASMR soap cutting is a form of ASMR that typically involves the cutting and slicing of soap. It can be considered an unusual way to use it, given that we already discussed that most people generally this everyday item for bathing or washing their hands.
What is ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridan Response)?
ASMR is an acronym for autonomous sensory meridian response. Some people have a response to specific visual and auditory stimuli that to them feels like a tingling sensation that gives them pleasure. It's most commonly triggered by quiet, repetitive sounds, such as whispering, gentle tapping, or light scratching. However, some people also experience ASMR from watching certain types of videos where people are making gentle tapping, crunching, or scratching noises.
How does ASMR relate to soap?
Soap cutting videos are a type of ASMR video that can trigger the same pleasurable tingling sensation. In these videos, people cut the soap bar into thin slices or shapes using a sharp knife. The sound of the blade slicing through the bar of soap is often what triggers the ASMR response.
Soap cutting videos are relatively new to the ASMR world, but they're already gaining in popularity. If you're looking for a unique way to experience ASMR, then continue reading this blog post because later we will mention a few of these types of videos that you may want to check out.
How are people using these ASMR videos?
Some people who experience ASMR find that watching or listening to the soap being cut can help them relax and fall asleep. For others, it's a way to unwind after a long day or provide relief from anxiety or stress. Some people even use ASMR videos as a form of white noise to help them concentrate while they work or study.
Why do people like ASMR soap cutting videos?
There are many reasons why people enjoy these types of videos. For some, it's the satisfying sound of the blade slicing through the soap. Others find the visual ASMR triggers, such as watching the soap being cut into thin slices or shapes or being crushed, to be relaxing and enjoyable. And for others, it's a combination of both the auditory and visual stimuli that makes these videos so pleasurable to watch.
What types of soap are people using to get the ASMR effect?
Inexpensive, commercially mass-produced soaps
Many of the videos on YouTube and social media posts that one may find with soap cutting or carving use very hard soap, which when cut or carved makes sharp, crunching sounds. The drier and older the soap is the more it will likely make the sounds the person who is doing the carving or cutting wants to hear. So people will take steps to dry their soaps to get them to be extremely hard and dry before using them for ASMR. Ones used for these purposes are often very inexpensive, commercially mass-produced soaps. Some may even be detergent bars that do not even meet the definition of soap, but they are still used for cutting or carving due to their hardness.
Handmade soap bars
Some prefer to use softer soaps, so you could still use handmade soap for this purpose too. You would probably want to use a cold process handmade soap if you are looking for a harder bar to use for ASMR cutting, curling, or carving to make sounds more like those one gets from using a commercial, mass-produced soap. Hot process soap might be useful if you are looking for a less dense handmade soap as those often tend to be less dense than cold process ones. They would also be useful if you want to have the visual effect of seeing a design throughout the soap and hearing a less crisp, softer sound when the soap is being cut.
Glycerin soap bars
Glycerin soap bars are another choice to use for softer soaps. This type of soap may range from a clear, translucent appearance to a solid, opaque color, or a combination of both opaque and clear areas within the design of the bar of glycerin soap. It is often used in ASMR videos because it looks aesthetically pleasing and makes a satisfying softer sound than the crisp sound one hears with hard, dry soaps. You have a choice of getting handmade ones or commercial, mass produced ones.
How can I enhance my soap visually before using it for ASMR purposes?
One way to enhance your soap visually is by decorating the bar with paint or glitter. This will make the experience more stimulating and interesting for your viewers if you are creating videos or for yourself if you are just doing it for your enjoyment. You can also experiment with different colors and textures to create a unique look. Just make sure you are using a type of paint that is safe to use and not something like regular house paint. Also, try to use biodegradable glitter if you must use glitter even though this type of glitter may be more expensive than the type you can get at the dollar store or craft store.
Do I need any special equipment to do ASMR soap cutting?
No, you don't need any special equipment. All you need is a bar of soap and something sharp to cut and slice it with, like a small kitchen knife, paring knife, or kraft knife.
Is ASMR soap cutting safe?
Yes, ASMR soap cutting is generally considered to be safe as long as you take precautions to avoid cutting yourself. Children should not do this activity and it should only be done by adults that are capable of using a knife safely and have researched enough about how to engage safely in this activity. Be sure to use a sharp tool and be careful when cutting and slicing the soap. If you have concerns about using a knife while holding the bar of soap, then you should consider using a method that involves cutting the bar of soap while it is on a stable, flat surface and not in your hand. Better yet, try one of the ASMR methods involving soap that does not involve cutting the soap. If you're not comfortable cutting the soap yourself, you can always ask someone else to do it for you.
Do not do soap cutting or carving around children, and make sure that any pieces of soap are not accessible by small children to prevent a choking hazard. Be careful with the fine powder that you may create if you are crumbling pieces so you don't inhale any fine powder.
Also, you engage in doing any of these activities at your own risk and this blog post is not encouraging you to do anything that do you not feel comfortable doing or that you believe may be unsafe for you to do. If you have any safety concerns about the practice of ASMR soap cutting or carving, then you should refrain from doing it and just enjoy watching other people do it on YouTube or other social media.
What is the most popular method used?
Making soap pieces by cutting very old and dry soap cubes (bars) seems to be the most popular method. People like to hear and see it being cut into very small pieces. It is a very noisy process! You will hear lots of crunching and crackling, especially if your soap is very old and dry.
How can I try ASMR soap cutting?
If you're new to ASMR, start by watching some videos of people cutting soap. This will help you get a feel for the motion and sound that typically accompanies this activity. Keep reading this blog post, because we will share information about a few such videos soon.
Here are a few more things to consider:
1. Choose a bar of soap that is soft enough to cut easily. You don't want to struggle with the blade, or you'll miss the pleasurable sensations that ASMR provides.
2. Cut the soap slowly and deliberately, making sure to focus on the sounds that the blade makes as it slices through the soap. Use a sharp knife to make clean cuts. Dull blades can make the experience less enjoyable, so be sure to use a sharp one.
3. Take your time and enjoy the sensations. Don't rush through the process; let yourself relax and enjoy the experience.
4. If you find that soap cutting isn't providing the ASMR sensations you're looking for, try another type of activity. Many different triggers can cause ASMR, so experiment until you find one that works for you.
How is soap cutting typically done to get the ASMR effect?
There are many different ways that people do it, but the following are methods that seem to be commonly used:
1. After you cut a pattern of lines crisscrossing the top of a cube (bar) of very dry, old soap, cut tiny pieces by holding the bar in one hand and using the other hand to carefully cut away the top part of the bar and continue by cutting layer after layer causing more and more tiny pieces to fall away from the bar; or
2. Hold the soap in one hand and use the other hand to cut the bar into thin slices; or
3. Put the soap on a stable flat surface, and cut the bar into small slivers using a sharp knife to cut vertically along one end of the soap bar; or
4. Use a vegetable peeler and cut slices off the end of the bar of soap.
The size of the pieces that you cut is entirely up to you. You can make them as big or small as you like. Just keep in mind that the smaller the pieces, the more satisfying they will be to crumble.
Once you have your pieces, it's time to start crumbling. The best way to do this is to use your fingers. Simply rub the pieces between your fingers until they turn into a fine powder.
If you want to add a little extra sensory boost try using scented soap. This will create a nice aroma as you work.
Try different speeds and pressure while cutting to find what sounds best for you. You can also experiment with different types of soap to see what triggers your ASMR the most. If you are making a video for others to view, hold the soap close to your microphone and make sure the knife is sharp to get the best sound quality.
How can soap be used for the ASMR effect that doesn't involve cutting with a knife?
One way to create tapping ASMR sounds related to soap is to tap on the outside packaging, particularly if it is a box. Opening the package will also create sounds that you may find to be pleasing to you.
Soap tapping ASMR is another easy way to create ASMR sounds. You could also try tapping on the bar itself if it is firm enough. Simply take a soap bar and tap it on a hard surface. The harder the surface, the louder the ASMR sound will be. This could also be done with your fingers or with a small object such as a pencil by tapping your fingers or a pencil on the bar of soap.
Soap crumbling ASMR is very easy to do. You may purchase online soap curls, roses, boxes (hollowed-out bars of soap that are often then filled with foam), or similar items. Then crumble them in your hands. The more you crumble it, the louder the ASMR sound will be.
Soap scratching ASMR is also very easy to do. Simply scratch it on a hard surface. The harder the surface, the louder the ASMR sound will be.
Soap rubbing ASMR is another easy way to create ASMR sounds. Simply rub it on a hard surface. The harder the surface, the louder the ASMR sound will be.
Some will even soak a bar of soap to get it thoroughly wet and waterlogged and then make mushy sounds by squishing it in their hands.
Isn't all of this just a waste of a perfectly good bar of soap?
After the soap is cut or crumbled, some people choose to use it in different ways. One way is to add it to a bathtub full of water to create bubbles. Another option is to put it in a soap saver bag or pouch or use a washcloth with the small pieces in it and use that for bathing. Lastly, some people even rebatch the soap to make a soap bar or soap ball that they will later use for bathing.
What are a few of the YouTube channels that focus on ASMR soap cutting?
If you're looking for some examples of popular ASMR soap cutting videos on YouTube, here are a few to check out:
1. Satisfaction Videos ASMR Soap Cutting Semi dry soaps Painted soaps Decorated soaps Brain Tickling by Glitter soap ASMR
This video features a woman cutting and slicing several painted bars of soap with a knife. She doesn't talk, but you can hear background sounds in the room as she works. The sound of the knife cutting through the soap may be a sound that you find to be relaxing and soothing.
2. ASMR Soap | Soap cutting| Soap Carving | No Talking | 4K by ASMR Soap UK
This video features a woman cutting and slicing bars of soap with a kraft knife. The sound of the blade cutting through it is sharp and crisp, and it's surprisingly relaxing to watch.
3. ASMR SOAP CUBES 1 HOUR! Cutting dry soap/ Relax sound/ Soap carving/ Satisfying video by Soap maniya
In this video, a woman carves and slices a decorated hard bars of soap into small pieces. The crunching sound of the knife cutting through it is the typical crunching sound that one hears in these types of ASMR videos, and you may find that it's a great way to relax after a long day. You may also enjoy the color contrast between some of the soaps that she uses that have painted/decorated outer layers and the original color underneath the outer layer.
4. SOFT Glittery Soap Cutting ASMR | Satisfying Sounds | No Talking by Soap Sprite ASMR
In this video, a woman carves and slices a bar of glittery soap with a kraft knife. The sound of the blade cutting through the soft soap is surprisingly relaxing to watch. You may find that the added visual of the glittery soap makes it an even more satisfying experience.
Are there any other sources I may read to find out more about ASMR?
There are many sources of information on ASMR, some more reliable than others. Here are a few you may want to check out. The first is from a blog hosted by Boston University. The second is a Bustle article. The third is a blog post from Scientific American. Finally, you may want to read this article.
Conclusion
So, if you are looking to use soap for ASMR purposes, you might want to consider using an inexpensive, commercial, mass-produced one or, if your budget permits, instead try glycerin soap bars or a beautiful and fragrant artisan handmade soap. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your needs. If you are looking for one that will make crunching sounds when cut, then an inexpensive, factory-made soap that is old and has been allowed to get very dry is a good choice. If you are looking for a softer soap that will make quieter or softer sounds, then glycerin soap bars or handmade soap might be a better choice. Whichever type you choose, make sure to enjoy the relaxing experience of ASMR! So there you have it, a few different ways to use soap in an uncommon way to experience ASMR. Experiment and find the method that works best for you.