Rubbing a bar of soap on bedsheets may sound unusual, but it is an old-fashioned home remedy that some people swear by, especially for nighttime leg cramps and restless legs. The practice has been passed down through families for generations and remains a surprisingly common bedtime trick.

The method is simple. People usually take a dry bar of soap and gently rub it across the fitted sheet, particularly around the area where their legs and feet rest. Others simply place the soap underneath the sheet near their feet before going to sleep. Supporters believe that something in the soap—whether its scent, ingredients, or the sensation associated with it—may help calm uncomfortable legs and reduce nighttime cramping.

Lavender-scented soaps are especially popular because many people associate the fragrance with relaxation and sleep.

However, there is currently no strong scientific evidence proving that placing soap in or under your bedsheets actually prevents leg cramps. While some people report noticeable improvements, these experiences do not establish that soap itself is responsible for the effect.