The Den Cleanout Challenge

So, looking at your one shelf I see a conspicuous absence of Bay Rum soaps or splashes .... and Tabac! 

That might be a PAA bay rum hiding in the back left in front of the jam jar but still

I know the label is pretty bad but the Mike's is actually the Bay Rum

As far as Tabac and many others are concerned, it was a very difficult process to get down to the few that were chosen.  There are several VERY good soaps that are now packed away to be used at a later date

.. But as I was going through the inventory, I realized there were a few soaps/splashes that were close to being finished.  Another 10 soaps/6 splashes were added and I will be trying my best to finish them off over the next year.  ...

I have formalized my soap rotation by printing off an alphabetical list. Occasionally I hit one that I would consider skipping over because I don't care for it as much as the others.
My strategy now is just to double or triple the amount, and use it up faster. Most of my soaps are croaps that I scoop out with a 1/4 teaspoon (because 1/4 teaspoon per shave is a good default amount), so that's easy to do, compare to charging a brush from a tub or puck.

I'll definitely be using some "cheats" to get through the majority of soaps.  I will continue to load heavy and will likely bloom more often.  But the stockpile had gotten so bad that even with heavy loading/blooming, my grandchildren may set for life when it comes to shave soap

I only have about 30-35 soaps but have a ton of aftershaves..probably nearing about 100 of those. my razors and brushes are also kept in check too.

My buying on all things shaving has really slowed down because I simply don't have anymore room.  I have actually tossed some soaps and creams that were in no condition to PIF and I couldn't tell the difference once I got rid of them.  I have a long way to go.

I only have about 30-35 soaps but have a ton of aftershaves..probably nearing about 100 of those.  my razors and brushes are also kept in check too.

I'm hoping to have time next month to get the razors in check.  I have several vintage and modern that don't get any use.  As a matter of fact, I just used a few GEM and injector razors during SEptember which hadn't been used in more than two years.

My buying on all things shaving has really slowed down because I simply don't have anymore room.  I have actually tossed some soaps and creams that were in no condition to PIF and I couldn't tell the difference once I got rid of them.  I have a long way to go.

The purchases are going to have to slow down if I want to keep this minimalist approach.  It's going to be tough with the new bases/scents that keep coming out.  There are a couple of "exceptions" that I'm allowing myself...but they were announced well before i decided to tear down/rebuild the storage area.

The decision to have a MW soap in the lineup was extremely easy...which scent to choose, well that was difficult.  Michelle does an amazing job with floral scents and I ended up choosing Lily of the Valley as it is one of my favorites.  Also, I've already finished one puck of LotV so if this one gets used up over the next year, I will have finally finished two pucks of a soap

Michelle does indeed make a great soap. Sensitive Skin will always be in my soap drawer.

I decided ... I would have a Den Cleanout and force myself to try a more minimalist shaving experience. 

The Den Cleanout goal was to get the three shelves of soaps and two shelves of AS/toners/balms down to one shelf.  And for the next year, I am going to use only the products on that shelf.  I figured 10 to 12 soaps and 10 to 12 post-shave products should be plenty.  But as I was going through the inventory, I realized there were a few soaps/splashes that were close to being finished.  Another 10 soaps/6 splashes were added and I will be trying my best to finish them off over the next year.  I decided to take the Cleanout Challenge even further by committing to using only 4 brushes and 3 DE razors.  With the exception of my travel setup, all other products have been packed up and will be taken to the basement. 

It's a beautiful thing you're doing, HoosierShave! There's something really lovely about a tidy, well-chosen den. I'm impressed by what you're doing, and I'm encouraged to follow your lead. How did you decide which soaps to put on your shelf?

I decided ... I would have a Den Cleanout and force myself to try a more minimalist shaving experience. 

The Den Cleanout goal was to get the three shelves of soaps and two shelves of AS/toners/balms down to one shelf.  And for the next year, I am going to use only the products on that shelf.  I figured 10 to 12 soaps and 10 to 12 post-shave products should be plenty.  But as I was going through the inventory, I realized there were a few soaps/splashes that were close to being finished.  Another 10 soaps/6 splashes were added and I will be trying my best to finish them off over the next year.  I decided to take the Cleanout Challenge even further by committing to using only 4 brushes and 3 DE razors.  With the exception of my travel setup, all other products have been packed up and will be taken to the basement.

It's a beautiful thing you're doing, HoosierShave! There's something really lovely about a tidy, well-chosen den. I'm impressed by what you're doing, and I'm encouraged to follow your lead. How did you decide which soaps to put on your shelf?

It wasn't easy Bouki!  When I made the decision to do this, I committed to one rule....only 1 soap per artisan.  Other than that it was really just a hodge-podge of decision-making.  And, yes, I am 3 days into this challenge and already 2nd-guessing every soap I chose   But therein lies the challenge for me.  There is a plethora of soaps two staircases away, can i stick to the few chosen soaps with such great options close by?

Now on a purely selfish note, I hope you decide not to follow this lead   Your scent/soap descriptions on the Soap of the Day thread are going to be my window into the wonderful world of shaving soaps!