Keeping Clean: SOAP Refill Station

The new Waldo shop is fully stocked with household cleaners, soap and self-care items.

All photos by Tessa Cooper

While cleaning spray, laundry detergent, shampoo and soap can still be a little hard to find at big-box chain stores, SOAP Refill Station in Waldo has an ample supply. But this isn't unusual for the Missouri-owned business. Pandemic or not, Anne Dezort keeps her store stocked with bulk barrels of everything you need to get squeaky clean, from shampoo to dish soap. 

SOAP Refill Station's model is simple: Instead of purchasing a new plastic bottle full of product each time you run out, you can instead reuse old containers and refill them with product from Dezort's collection. 

"Our goal is simply to help reduce single-use waste," Dezort says. "We are a utility for those trying to live a less wasteful lifestyle. We hope to foster a kind and clean space for all people to come together and respect each other and our planet all in the same step."

Dezort aims to keep high-quality, yet affordable items in stock. Here, you can find familiar brands in bulk like Griffin Remedy, Ecos, Dr. Bronner's, Vermont Soap, ONEKA, EO and Clearly Clean. They also carry items from a few local companies like Mel's Deodorant based in Springfield, MO, and Zum's Clean laundry from KC. 

"We are always looking to expand our local offerings, so we encourage local makers to reach out and apply to be a bulk vendor," Dezort says. "And if you can clean it, we have something 'eco-friendly' here to clean it with."

Here's a quick rundown of bulk items you can find: 

• Laundry detergent and powder

• Dishwasher detergent 

• Dish soap

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Face cleansers

• Face creams

• Essential oils

• Specialty skincare oils

• Castile soap

• Bath salts

• Toners and astringents

• Clay powder

• Baby and pet products

• Empty containers

• Eco-sessories like reusable straws and bamboo toothbrushes

Most of the products in SOAP Refill Station are self-serve, meaning you can weigh your empty containers and refill them yourself. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Dezort is only allowing customers to refill their own containers after they sanitize their hands.

Or, you can drop off your empty containers with a note on product requests and amounts and wait for curbside pickup. Right now, Dezort is also offering local delivery with closed-loop refillable containers.

As customers are starting to return after self-quarantining, Dezort has been enjoying seeing familiar faces. "Meeting and getting to know our customers is hands down my favorite part of owning this business," she says. "We are a refill shop so we see people monthly, sometimes weekly. We get to know you. We learn from each other. It's like having the internet come to you, but it has a voice, a heart, and a warm face and hands. I learn so much talking to our community of refillers. They're such solid gold humans."

---