When I set up at Farmer Markets I am frequently asked about how to store handmade soaps. Here are my suggestions!
1. Cold processes soap is cured for a minimum of 4-6 weeks to allow the water or liquids that are used in the soap to evaporate. The longer the cure, the harder the bar. The cured soap will have a firm texture. The soap recipe also plays a part in how hard the soap will be in the end result. This is why most soap makers use hard oils and butters like coconut, cocoa butter and shea butter. It is the combination of the various oils that contribute to its hardness. A 100% olive oil soap, called castile, is a very soft soap and can take six months or more to harden.
2. Homemade soaps should be stored where they can get air flow in a well ventilated area. A linen closet is a good place. There is no direct sunlight and can be kept dry and cool which is good for storing soap. There is the added advantage of your linens and towels smelling awesome. A cardboard box, similar to a shoebox, is a better option than a plastic tote. If you store your soap in plastic be sure to add ventilation holes. The point is to keep the soap dry and not allow moisture to accumulate. Storing soap in the bathroom isn’t always the best option due to the constant moisture.
3. The scent of the soap will fade over time unfortunately. Some scents tend to fade sooner than others. Citrus is one of those that tend to fade. Proper storage will help maintain the scent too. If you purchase several bars at a time you may want to use different boxes. Peppermint, for example, is known to take over the softer scents like citrus.
4. Use a soap dish that will allow the soap to drain and dry between uses. There are some great slotted handcrafted soap dishes in a variety of materials from wood to ceramic. In the shower you could also use a plastic slotted dish with the suction cups as an inexpensive option. Setting this type of dish up higher helps the soap dry easier too. Turning the soap on his edge standing up will help too as more air can circulate around the soap to help it dry.
5. Some people like to use soap saver pouches or bags. These are usually made of cotton yarn, ramie or even plastic mesh. They work great for all those small pieces or slivers of soaps and make a good place to store all those bits. Just put the soaps in the bags and use it as a wash cloth. Hang it up to dry between showers.
6. If you purchase a large bar of soap you can cut them in half and store the other half until needed.
2. Homemade soaps should be stored where they can get air flow in a well ventilated area. A linen closet is a good place. There is no direct sunlight and can be kept dry and cool which is good for storing soap. There is the added advantage of your linens and towels smelling awesome. A cardboard box, similar to a shoebox, is a better option than a plastic tote. If you store your soap in plastic be sure to add ventilation holes. The point is to keep the soap dry and not allow moisture to accumulate. Storing soap in the bathroom isn’t always the best option due to the constant moisture.
3. The scent of the soap will fade over time unfortunately. Some scents tend to fade sooner than others. Citrus is one of those that tend to fade. Proper storage will help maintain the scent too. If you purchase several bars at a time you may want to use different boxes. Peppermint, for example, is known to take over the softer scents like citrus.
4. Use a soap dish that will allow the soap to drain and dry between uses. There are some great slotted handcrafted soap dishes in a variety of materials from wood to ceramic. In the shower you could also use a plastic slotted dish with the suction cups as an inexpensive option. Setting this type of dish up higher helps the soap dry easier too. Turning the soap on his edge standing up will help too as more air can circulate around the soap to help it dry.
5. Some people like to use soap saver pouches or bags. These are usually made of cotton yarn, ramie or even plastic mesh. They work great for all those small pieces or slivers of soaps and make a good place to store all those bits. Just put the soaps in the bags and use it as a wash cloth. Hang it up to dry between showers.
6. If you purchase a large bar of soap you can cut them in half and store the other half until needed.
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