Maximizing the Life of Your Natural Soaps: A Complete Preservation Guide
Making your natural soaps last longer involves a combination of proper usage and storage. Here are some tips to help extend the life of your natural soaps:
Natural soaps are an investment in your skin’s health and the environment, and, with proper care, these precious quality bars will last you many, many washes. Unlike commercial soaps packed with synthetic hardening agents and preservatives, natural soaps require a bit more attention to reach their full potential. The good news is that with the right techniques, you can significantly extend their lifespan while maintaining their beneficial properties.
Understanding Why Natural Soaps Need Special Care
Our Natural soaps are True Soaps, which differ fundamentally from their commercial counterparts, which are considered closer to detergents. Our Soaps retain their natural glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture from the air, making them incredibly moisturizing for your skin. But this feature makes them also more susceptible to softening when exposed to constant moisture. Additionally, natural soaps lack the synthetic hardening agents found in mass-produced bars, which means they rely on proper care to maintain their structure and longevity.
The handcrafted nature of artisan soaps also means they often contain beneficial oils and butters that, while wonderful for your skin, can make the bars more delicate than factory-made alternatives. Understanding these characteristics is the first step in proper soap preservation.
Essential Storage and Usage Techniques
1. Master the Art of Proper Drying The most critical factor in soap longevity is ensuring complete drying between uses. After each use, place your soap in a well-draining soap dish or soap rack that allows air circulation on all sides. A soap that sits in its own moisture will quickly become soft and dissolve faster than necessary. Look for soap dishes with raised ridges or slats that lift the bar above any collected water.
2. Invest in Quality Soap Savers A good soap saver or soap dish with drainage holes is worth its weight in gold. These accessories lift the soap off the surface, allowing air to circulate underneath while water drains away efficiently. Some soap savers are made from natural materials like bamboo or cedar, which naturally resist moisture and complement the eco-friendly nature of our natural soaps. At Organica Eco Soaps we include in our gift packs a slice of Loofa, which is a natural fiber that can be used for exfoliating your dead skin cells, and can also be used as an excellent soap saver.
3. Strategic Placement Away from Water Location matters significantly. Never leave soap in direct contact with water streams when not in use. In the shower, place your soap on a shelf or in a corner away from the direct spray. Consider using a shower caddy with drainage or a magnetic soap holder that keeps the bar completely out of standing water.
4. Implement Smart Rotation Practices At Organica we recommend that If you have multiple bars of soap, use rotation as the key to maximizing their lifespan. Use one bar while others dry completely, this prevents any single bar from becoming oversaturated with moisture. This technique is particularly effective if you shower twice daily or have multiple family members showering with your natural soaps. In these cases, use one soap in the morning shower, an another one for the evening shower. When you do this, remove the soap that’s not in use, from the shower, so it has time to dry.
5. Optimize Storage Conditions Store unused soap bars in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight. Humidity and heat are natural soap’s biggest enemies, as they can cause bars to sweat, warp, or develop an oily film. A linen closet or bedroom drawer often provides ideal conditions – stable temperature and low humidity.
6. Temperature Awareness Extreme temperatures can dramatically affect natural soap consistency. High heat can cause soaps to soften, sweat, or even partially melt, while extreme cold can make them brittle and prone to cracking. Avoid storage near radiators, heating vents, sunny windowsills, or in cars during temperature extremes.
Special Considerations and Advanced Tips
Soap Saver Bags, When to Use and When to Avoid: Soap saver bags made of natural fibers can help create rich lathers and also help contain small soap pieces. They are ideal for plain soaps because it also allows for thorough drying when hung properly after use, however, they’re not ideal for all natural soaps. Bars containing natural exfoliants like flower petals, oatmeal, leaves or herbs can lose these beneficial elements to the bag’s mesh. You should never use plastic soap savers for they release microplastics into the environment with every use.
The Importance of Education When you’re gifting our Organica Eco Soaps Gift Packs, you can rest assured that we will include a card with “Care Instruction”. But if you are gifting your soaps separately or selling them, always provide care instructions. You can provide a link to this blog or simply email us requesting that we include the Care Instructions card with the QR code link to this blog. Many people accustomed to commercial soaps don’t realize that natural bars require different handling. A simple care card can make the difference between a satisfied customer and one who thinks natural soap is inferior because their bar dissolved too quickly.
Maintenance of Soap Accessories Regular cleaning of soap dishes and accessories prevents soap scum buildup, which can harbor bacteria and contribute to soap breakdown. Weekly cleaning with warm water and vinegar keeps accessories in optimal condition for supporting your soap’s longevity.
Formulation Factors
Remember that soap longevity also depends on specific formulations and ingredients. Soaps with higher percentages of hard oils like coconut or palm will naturally be harder and longer lasting, while those rich in moisturizing oils may be softer but more conditioning. Understanding your specific soap’s composition helps you adjust care techniques accordingly. At Organica Eco Soaps we have 2 lines of soaps. Our Premium line contains a balance of moisturizing and hard oils that provide a unique skin nourishing experience. Our Daily line contains a higher ratio of hard oils, providing bigger bubbles and longer lasting soaps.
The Bottom Line
With proper care, natural soaps can last just as long as commercial alternatives while providing superior skin benefits and environmental advantages. The small investment in proper storage accessories and mindful usage habits pays dividends in soap longevity, skin health, and overall satisfaction with your natural skincare routine. Your skin – and your wallet – will thank you for taking these simple but effective preservation steps.
If you need any help or additional information or clarifications, don’t hesitate to contact us.
