Wholesale Soap for Restaurants and The Hospitality Industry

The food service and hospitality industries understand the importance of impeccable hygiene. That is not only important for customers, but it is also subject to laws and regulations. As the restaurant industry constantly needs bulk quantities of soap, they often partner with B2B distributors of wholesale cleaning supplies. That way, a restaurant can purchase a wide variety of wholesale soap products for all their needs. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into one of the most important restaurant supplies - soap. We’ll share more about the different types of soap available on the market and what are the pros and cons of purchasing wholesale soap and other wholesale janitorial supplies.

What Are the Different Types of Soap

Wholesale soap suppliers usually have a wide range of wholesale products in their catalogs. As they work with different businesses, they need to provide soap products not only for washing hands but also for things like laundry and dishes.

1. Bar soap. It’s most frequently used in households for handwashing and bathing. There are thousands of scents and varieties of bar soap on the market.
2. Liquid soap. Just like bar soaps, liquid ones are used primarily for domestic needs. They can be more convenient for some consumers as they come in refillable dispensers. This means households can also benefit from lower prices per unit if they buy wholesale soap.
3. Foaming soap. It is often used in restaurants’ toilet facilities. It dispenses as foam and washes the hands quicker than regular or liquid soap.
4. Antibacterial soap. This variety is mixed with an antibacterial solution that kills almost 100% of bacteria. They are mainly used in hospitals or other healthcare institutions. As antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in society, antibacterial soaps are rarely used by businesses or individuals.
5. Dish soap. Its special formula is designed for removing grease from plates and kitchen utensils. 
6. Laundry soap. It comes in different forms such as liquid, powder, and pods. Laundry soap is designed for washing clothes and other textiles. Restaurants often buy large quantities of laundry soap in order to keep their wholesale linens in excellent condition. 
7. Hotel soap. Hotels stock wholesale soap, shampoo, and other amenities they offer to guests. Soap products for the travel niche can be both liquid and bars, but they are always small in size.
8. Industrial soap. Wholesale businesses that trade with soap products sell very strong ones as well. Industrial soaps are used for heavy-duty cleaning in factories or workshops.
9. Other types of soaps. There are many other types of soap available on the market. Baby soap is one example of such a product. It is designed to be safe for the gentle skin of babies. On the other hand, mechanic’s soap contains abrasive ingredients in order to easily clean oil, grease, and dirt.

Key takeaway: There are many different types of soap products used by businesses. Restaurants and hospitality establishments use large quantities of liquid soap, dish soap, and laundry soap.

What Businesses in the Food and Hospitality Industry Buy Wholesale Soap

Companies that manufacture or serve food products follow higher hygiene standards compared to other businesses. That’s why it’s expected to buy large quantities of wholesale sanitizers and other cleaning supplies.

1. Restaurants. Eateries need to keep their dining room and kitchen immaculately clean. That’s why they find suppliers of restaurant cleaning supplies. Usually, restaurants rely on wholesalers that can offer a large number of items for their hygiene needs. 
2. Hotels and resorts. They often order wholesale soap of different kinds. Hotels give guests small travel-size soaps as amenities. Additionally, hospitality establishments stock dishwasher soap, laundry soap, and other varieties.
3. Catering businesses and event planners. They may purchase soap, disinfectant, and other personal hygiene products for gatherings and events. Catering companies often partner with wholesale paper goods suppliers as they use single-use tableware and utensils. However, some occasions might also call for tablecloths and table linens. As event planners often rent these items to customers, they need bulk quantities of laundry soap and other laundry solutions.
4. Food trucks, bakeries, and other small food-serving businesses. Virtually all businesses that produce or trade with food need to answer to higher hygiene standards. That’s why they might order cleaning supplies and wholesale soap from distributors.

Pros and Cons of Buying Wholesale Soap

Buying soap in large quantities comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Let’s dive deeper into the main ones.

Advantages of Buying Wholesale Soap

• The lower price per unit is the main reason why businesses decide to buy soap in bulk;
• Wholesalers usually have a wide range of restaurant supplies in their catalogs. That’s why it is more convenient for businesses to order from them;
• Soap distributors often offer custom options for their clients. These can include soap bars with the customer’s logo, custom packaging, or custom sizing. This is especially useful for businesses that buy wholesale soap and sell it to retail customers.
• Companies strive to reduce packaging waste and introduce sustainable practices. That can be easily achieved by buying bulk quantities of soap or other hygiene solutions for the food and beverage industry.

Disadvantages of Buying Wholesale Soap

• Many businesses are limited by the size of their storage facilities. That’s why for smaller restaurants or coffee shops it can make more sense to stock wholesale cups or wholesale plastic containers for takeout instead of soap or other cleaning supplies.
• The upfront cost of buying wholesale might be troublesome for companies with limited capital.
• Natural soap has a shorter expiration date. Therefore, stocking large quantities of this type of soap only makes sense if the business can quickly liquidate the stock.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wholesale Soap

Are you in need of a wholesale soap supplier? Or maybe you’re a business owner who wishes to cut costs by ordering large quantities of soap and other hygiene products. Either way, you might have questions on the matter. Below, we have answered some of the common questions on the topic of bulk soap.

Are There Eco-Friendly Soap Options on the Market?

Yes, you can find many environmentally friendly soap alternatives on the market. In fact, businesses that strive to lower their impact on nature might also purchase wholesale soap that is produced in an eco-friendly manner. The characteristics of most eco-friendly soap products include:

• They are made of plant-based and biodegradable ingredients;
• They contain no strong chemicals;
• The products are not tested on animals and are cruelty-free;
• The packaging is minimalistic and does not contain any plastic;
• The ingredients are sourced in a sustainable and responsible way.

Can You Purchase Wholesale Soap and Sell It to Retail Customers?

Yes. It can be a profitable business to purchase wholesale soap or other products and sell them to retail customers. You can start your own eCommerce website that offers beauty products like organic soaps and vegan cosmetics. This can also be done as a dropshipping business. Another potential idea can be to start your own subscription box company. Subscription box suppliers often provide white-label products or can customize them with your own brand. That way you combine the benefits of purchasing products at a wholesale price and selling them at a retail price.

Do Soap Products Have Expiration Dates?

When stored properly, soap has a very long shelf life. However, it has an expiration date even if stored in optimal conditions. Natural or other specialty soaps usually have a shorter shelf life. A standard store-bought soap expires in around three years. Natural soaps have a shelf life of around one year.