Ever have soap that turned to soup? Want to minimize waste? What can you do to make your handmade soap last longer? How should soap be stored and used to extend its life?
Handmade soap is a luxury, you can extend the life of your soap with these tips:
Tip #1. Keep your soap bar dry between uses. Soap that is left sitting in a pool of water will melt. If you are able, store it on a high shelf or on the other end of the shower away from water. Mountain Girl Soap is all-natural and does not contain hardening ingredients like commercial bars so they can melt if left in standing water. I recommend draining excess water with a slotted soap dish that allows water to drain away. Air circulation is key, so ideally your soap dish would have holes.
Tip #2. Use a washcloth. Using a washcloth will help you use less soap, therefore making your bar last longer.
Tip #3. Store in a cool dark place. Prolonged exposure to UV rays tends to break down the nutrients and subtle hues from the botanicals. As tempting as it is to display your soap, it's better to store it in a cool dark area until ready for use. Storage in a dry place away from humidity will help the soap maintain its hard form, longer curing time also makes a bar harder. A linen closet is a great place to store your soap.
Tip #4. Use within one year from opening. Handmade soap has no set shelf life, and like a fine wine or cheese, soap gets better with a little aging. Time mellows the bar and allows it to get harder, helping it to last longer in the shower. Unopened soap will last for years, but to ensure liveliness of aroma and enjoy its goodness at the peak of freshness use within one year from the time of opening.
With proper care, your handmade soap bar will last longer. Want to learn about the ingredients in my soap? Read this article about what ingredients I use and don’t use in my products.
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Liz K
April 05, 2021
We like to rest our soap on top of a slice of loofah (thank you, Naomi, for including the loofah in a Soap of the Month box). The loofah slice sits on a wooden slotted soap dish. The soap dries quickly and doesn’t stick to the loofah.