Monday, September 8, 2008

China Childhood Memories - Mosquitoes

In the hot, humid climate of interior China, there were a lot of mosquitoes. At night we used mosquito nets over our beds and that kept out insects. When we went outside in the evening, we apparently did not have insect repellents like we do today. We children (in Cheefoo, the school for missionaries children) found a great way to keep away those pesky mosquitoes. We would rub Lifebuoy soap all over our exposed skin. It apparently worked.
Do you remember that kind of soap? It was red and had a very distinctive odor - an odor that the mosquitoes did not like. In researching Lifebuoy soap now, I find that it was developed in the UK. And I remember that it floated. Here is my drawing of the soap as it looked in those days.

12 comments:

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Yes, I remember Lifebuoy soap. My mom taught me to rub the stains on my clothes with it. And the stains would come right out. It must really get a person clean!!

nanatrish said...

I remember it. It had a distinct smell. Avery is just a magnet for the mosquitos, so I need to try it.
I'm sure glad you are back.

a portland granny said...

I do remember Lifebuoy soap well I wonder if i is still made today?

I'm glad your trip went well. You have certainly shared some lovely pictures with us! I do think Colorado is a beautiful spot!

So thankful and rejoicing with you over the little grandson's good recovery from his big surgery. How wonderful for him to be off the night time machine!
I know you are all rejoicing! He is a precious looking little boy.

Jan Parrish said...

I don't know if I ever smelled it but there seems to be some distant memory of this in my mind. :) I wonder if you can still buy it and if it would still work.

I hear Skin So Soft by Avon works as well as dryer sheets.

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Ruthie,
I remember lifebuoy soap!! I was thinking about a soap my Dad used, Ruthie do you remember a soap call Lava Soap? My dad used it alot especially when he got oil on his hands. I wish we had known lifebuoy helped with mosquitos would have saved us alot of bites back then lol.

Melanie said...

Interesting! Would be great to have here in Florida!

Ruthie said...

I think that it is still made - when I was googling to find a pix that I could use, it was hard to find a soap with the corners cut off like we used to have. The more current ones had regular soap shapes and in different colors.
It got me to thinking, too, to check if it's still available in the stores - and if the smell is the same that would act as a mosquito repellent. :)

Deb said...

Hi Ruthie, I remember Lifebuoy soap. I thought they still made it but, can't recall seeing it lately. Next time I'm out I'll look for it. Deb

bp said...

Am I the first commenter that doesn't remember Lifebuoy soap?! lol
That's an interesting solution to the mosquito problem!

Charlotte said...

I remember Lifebuoy soap but I didn't know it floated. I knew Ivory floated. I guess it still does. You don't see too much soap floating in the shower. In fact, I haven't even used soap for years. Shower gel is so much better. I'm glad you found something to keep the mosquitos away. I told my DH who just came into the room about it. He said "Hum - Do you think it would work for flies?" He was working out in the yard this morning and the flies were driving him crazy. We don't ordinarily have many flies, but they were out there today.
About the "lingo" I figured DH meant dear husband. I mentioned it to my DH. He said it meant designated hitter. We watch a lot of baseball.
I hope you do post that list of blogging abbreviations. I could use it.
LOL - both kinds

Technonana said...

Yes, I remember Lifebuoy soap!! Do they still make it???
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!!!

Julie said...

I've heard of that soap, and also of Lava soap.