Handmade soap is a luxurious and natural way to care for your skin, but to get the most out of it, proper care is essential. Unlike mass-produced soap, which often contains preservatives and detergents, handmade soap is crafted from oils, butters, and other natural ingredients that can break down faster if not stored correctly. To help you maximize the lifespan of your soap, we’ve put together a guide on how to care for your handmade bars and keep them in pristine condition for longer.
1. Store Your Soap in a Draining Soap Dish
One of the most important factors in preserving the longevity of your handmade soap is proper drainage. When soap sits in water for extended periods, it can dissolve too quickly, leading to wasted product. A soap dish with drainage is the simplest solution to this problem.
Why it Works:
A draining soap dish allows excess water to escape and prevents the soap from sitting in a puddle of water. This helps the soap dry out between uses, preventing it from becoming mushy or overly soft.
Our Recommendation:
Consider investing in our Soap Holder, designed to keep your soap elevated above excess water. It allows airflow on all sides, ensuring your soap dries faster and stays solid longer. Made from durable materials, our Soap Holder is an easy addition to your bathroom that will help keep your handmade soap intact.
2. Let Your Soap Dry Between Uses
A common mistake people make is leaving their soap in the shower or on the edge of the sink where it’s constantly exposed to water. To make your soap last longer, it’s essential to let it dry completely between each use.
Why It’s Important:
When your soap is wet all the time, it becomes soft and can break down much more quickly. The natural oils and butters in handmade soap need time to harden after use, and when they don’t have this opportunity, they lose their effectiveness and longevity.
What You Can Do:
After each use, place your soap in a well-ventilated area, preferably away from direct streams of water. If you want to be extra careful, you can use a Soap Saver to keep the soap away from constant moisture. The Soap Saver helps create the perfect drying environment by elevating the soap and allowing it to air dry effectively.
3. Use a Soap Bag for Extended Use
Soap bags are not just a clever way to hold your soap, but they also provide a great solution for getting more mileage out of your handmade bars. Made from mesh or natural fibers, soap bags offer a number of benefits that make them an excellent addition to your soap care routine.
Why It Works:
The rough texture of a soap bag helps exfoliate the skin, and the mesh material allows you to use up every last bit of soap—no more wasting small soap scraps. When you’re down to the last sliver of soap, simply place it in the bag and continue using it until the entire bar is gone.
Our Recommendation:
Check out our Soap Bag, which is made from eco-friendly, durable fibers that gently exfoliate your skin while ensuring you don’t waste any soap. With a simple drawstring closure, it’s easy to use and ensures you get every drop of soap’s goodness.
4. Avoid Storing Soap in a Damp Environment
Humidity is another enemy of your handmade soap’s lifespan. Storing soap in a damp or humid environment encourages it to break down faster and lose its scent and texture.
What You Can Do:
Keep your soap in a dry place after use, and avoid storing it in your shower or near your sink where moisture is constantly present. A bathroom shelf or a cabinet works best for storing extra soap until you're ready to use it.
Extra Tip:
When traveling, always pack your soap in a breathable bag or case, so it has a chance to dry between uses. Avoid plastic bags, as they trap moisture and could cause your soap to soften prematurely.
5. Cut Larger Bars Into Smaller Sizes
If you have a large handmade soap bar, you can extend its life by cutting it into smaller pieces. Using smaller chunks of soap means less surface area is exposed to moisture at once, and you can use them as needed without worrying about the whole bar becoming soggy.
Why It Works:
By cutting the soap into smaller pieces, you can rotate between them, giving each piece time to dry properly between uses. This also means you don’t have to worry about a large bar melting away too quickly.
What You Can Do:
Try cutting your soap into smaller cubes or slices, making sure each piece can drain easily when not in use. This will keep your soap dry and prevent it from getting overly soft too soon.
6. Keep Your Soap Away from Direct Heat
Heat is another factor that can degrade the quality of your soap over time. While it may seem tempting to keep your soap near a radiator or in a sunny window, this can cause the natural oils and ingredients in the soap to break down more quickly.
What You Can Do:
Store your soap in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat sources. This will preserve the integrity of the oils and butters in the soap and ensure that it retains its texture and scent for longer.
Why Investing in a Soap Holder, Soap Bag, or Soap Saver is Worth It
If you’re serious about extending the life of your handmade soap, investing in a Soap Holder, Soap Bag, or Soap Saver is a smart decision. These products are designed specifically to address the key factors that cause soap to dissolve too quickly, including moisture and poor airflow. By using these accessories, you’ll not only help your soap last longer but also keep it in the best possible condition.
We offer these products because we know that caring for handmade soap is an investment in quality, self-care, and sustainability. By using the right tools, you’ll ensure that your soap continues to provide the gentle, nourishing benefits it was designed for.