Q. You folks are ridiculous, superstitious and ignorant. How can you recommend a bar of soap under the bottom sheet for leg cramps?
It’s just plain dumb. Please spare us such silliness.
A. We agree that putting a bar of soap under the bottom sheet sounds silly. But though we can’t explain how it might work, we assure you that many people have found it helpful.
Testimonials are no substitute for scientific study, but soap is inexpensive and doesn’t usually have dangerous side effects. Here is what one reader says:
“I hesitated to try the bar of soap for my leg cramps, but finally I decided to give it a try. I did not tell anyone, because I just knew it wouldn’t work. Surprise! It worked!
Then one night it didn’t, but the next morning I discovered the bar had slipped down off the side of the bed without my knowing. This sort of proved to me that it wasn’t all in my head.
At home I use regular Irish Spring, and by the time the bar in the shower needs replacing, I take the bar that’s been in the bed, move it to the shower and put a new bar in the bed. When I’m traveling I find that the small hotel soap bars also work.
I’ve even gotten up the nerve to tell other people about it.”
