Syklnsoph wanted to know if she could use a bar of soap to lube her pedals.

Answer: No

I use WD40 after I scrub them with Simple Green diluted and a small scrub brush.

WD40 is a must have in your maintenance bucket. It is great for drying your chain after getting caught in the rain to keep the rust away and it can be used between cleanings to keep those pedals unclipping.

This information is applicable to SPD pedals; since that seems to be the type you've been discussing. Hope this helps.

ACG: The only words of wisdom I can offer regarding not falling is unclip early. You will fall to the side that you are still clipped in on. I usually tell people to practice in the grass before going out on a hard surface. Falling there is a lot nicer than on something hard.
The next step is practice in an empty parking lot at varying speeds to see how slow you can go while unclipping before you reach falling status. Hard surface but no cars to get ya.
But everyone has a time when several things come into play all at once and you may still fall at a Stop sign or traffic light until you get the unclip early message. It's just like remembering to move your chain into an easier gear so you aren't starting out at a Stop sign or light in too big a gear.