How to Make Handmade Soap Last Longer: 5 Simple Tips
There's something special about using a beautifully handcrafted bar of soap. From its rich, creamy lather to its lovely fragrance, handmade soap can turn an ordinary bath or shower into a little moment of everyday luxury.
But have you ever wondered how to make your handmade soap last longer?
One of the questions people sometimes have about handcrafted soap is how to properly care for it.
The good news is that with just a few simple habits, you can help your favorite bars stay firm, fresh, and enjoyable throughout their use.
1. Keep Your Soap Dry Between Uses
This is probably the most important tip I can share.
Handmade soap is designed to dissolve when it comes into contact with water. That's how it creates the wonderful lather we enjoy.
However, when a bar sits in a puddle of water between uses, it continues to soften and dissolve even when nobody is using it.
After washing your hands or taking a shower, place your soap somewhere it can drain and dry.
A little attention to where you leave your soap can make a noticeable difference in how long it lasts.
2. Use a Soap Dish That Allows Water to Drain
Not all soap dishes are created equal.
A pretty dish might look lovely beside your sink, but if water collects underneath your soap, your bar can become soft and mushy.
I prefer soap dishes that allow water to drain away while providing airflow underneath the bar.
A bamboo soap dish is a wonderful option because its raised design helps keep your soap from sitting directly in water.
It's a simple accessory that can make caring for handmade soap much easier.
Just remember to occasionally clean your soap dish and allow it to dry, too.
3. Keep Your Soap Away From Direct Shower Spray
Have you ever noticed that a bar of soap seems to disappear faster when it's left directly beneath the showerhead?
Even when you're not using it, running water gradually wears away the surface.
Instead, try placing your soap on a shelf or dish away from the direct stream of water.
Choose a location where the bar can dry between showers.
This small change can help you enjoy more of your favorite handcrafted soap.
4. Don't Throw Away Those Little Soap Pieces
One of my favorite ways to get the most from handmade soap is to save those small pieces that become difficult to hold.
Instead of throwing them away, tuck them into a cotton soap saver.
A soap saver allows you to gather those little pieces together and continue using them until they're gone.
Our Larkspur Lane macramé soap savers are handcrafted from natural cotton and feature a textured design that helps create a lovely lather.
After using your soap saver, rinse it, gently press out excess water, and hang it somewhere it can dry thoroughly.
It's a simple way to enjoy your soap down to the very last piece.
5. Store Your Extra Handmade Soap Properly
If you're like me, you probably enjoy having a few extra bars of your favorite fragrances tucked away.
Proper storage is just as important for unused soap as it is for the bar beside your sink.
Choose a cool, dry location away from excessive humidity and direct sunlight.
A linen closet or dresser drawer can work beautifully, provided the area stays dry.
I recommend keeping unused handmade soap in breathable packaging rather than sealing it in plastic where moisture might become trapped.
At Larkspur Lane Soaps & Sundries, our individual soaps are packaged in lovely linen-style bags, which allow air to circulate around the bars.
Remember that handmade soap is best enjoyed while it's fresh, so there's no need to store your favorites indefinitely.
A Little Care Goes a Long Way
At Larkspur Lane Soaps & Sundries, each bar of soap is handcrafted in small batches with thoughtfully selected oils and butters.
From mixing and pouring to cutting and curing, every batch receives the attention and care that makes handmade soap special.
And while a beautifully handcrafted bar is made to be enjoyed, taking a few simple steps to care for it can help you get the most from every bar.
Keep it dry, give it a place to drain, and enjoy every last little piece.
Sometimes it's the simplest things that make everyday routines feel a little more special.
Everyday Luxury, Naturally Made.
