The Economics of Everyday Things 4. Used Hotel Soaps
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Jan 12, 2026 
In this engaging discussion, Sean Seipler, the founder of Clean the World, explores the hidden life of used hotel soaps. He shares how he embarked on a mission to recycle these forgotten amenities into hygiene products for those in need. Sean recounts his early experiments and the significant health impact soap can have on reducing child mortality. He also highlights the partnerships with hotels and the environmental benefits of repurposing waste, shedding light on the innovative processes behind transforming discarded soaps into new bars.
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Garage Soap Discovery
- Sean Seipler noticed hotel bar soaps piling up and asked a front desk what happens to them.
- That question sparked his garage experiments and eventually Clean the World.
Soap Is The Default Amenity
- Soap became the first common hotel amenity once rooms included private baths.
- Packaged soaps persist because guests expect and use them more than many other amenities.
From Hotel Bins To Garage Lab
- Seipler collected half-used bars and set up a rudimentary lab to rebatch soap in his garage.
- Early donors included Holiday Inn at Orlando International Airport which provided steady supply.