There’s nothing more frustrating than watching your favorite bar of soap dissolve too quickly. Handmade soaps, like our goat milk soap, are made with skin-loving ingredients, but they also require a little extra care to get the most out of each bar. The good news? With a few simple habits, you can make your bar soap last longer—helping you get the best value while enjoying every last bubble.
Why Handmade Soap Deserves Extra Care
Unlike commercial soaps, handmade soaps are made with natural oils and butters, which means they don’t contain synthetic hardeners or preservatives. While this results in a more nourishing and gentle soap, it also means they can soften faster if left sitting in water. That’s why proper storage and use are key to extending the life of your bar.
How We Help Your Soap Last Longer
Before our goat milk soaps even reach you, we take steps to ensure they’re long-lasting. Each bar is cured for six weeks, allowing excess moisture to evaporate and creating a harder, longer-lasting bar. This extra time is what makes handmade soap superior in quality and performance compared to mass-produced alternatives.
But once the soap is in your hands, a few simple tricks can help extend its life even further.
Tips to Make Your Bar Soap Last Longer
1. Keep Your Soap Dry Between Uses
Water is the enemy of longevity when it comes to bar soap. Letting your soap sit in pooled water will cause it to soften and dissolve much faster. Instead:
- Use a well-draining soap dish that allows air to circulate around the bar.
- Keep soap out of direct streams of water in the shower.
- Let the soap dry completely between uses to prevent it from becoming mushy.
2. Use a Soap Bag—But Let It Dry
Soap bags are a great way to get more out of your bar, especially when it starts getting small. They help create a rich lather while gently exfoliating your skin. However, to maximize the life of your soap:
- Remove the soap from the bag after use and allow both the soap and bag to dry separately.
- If you prefer to leave the soap in the bag, hang it in a well-ventilated area to dry completely.
3. Cut Your Soap into Smaller Pieces
Instead of using the entire bar at once, try cutting it into halves or quarters. This way, you’re only exposing part of the soap to water while keeping the rest dry and fresh for later. This is especially helpful if you like switching between scents!
4. Use a Soap Saver Dish
A soap saver dish, preferably one made of wood or bamboo with drainage holes, keeps your soap from sitting in water. Avoid soap dishes that collect water at the bottom, your soap should always stay dry between uses.
5. Store Extra Bars in a Cool, Dry Place
If you stock up on soaps, store the extras in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use them. Keeping them in a linen closet or drawer allows the bars to stay dry while also lightly scenting your space.
6. Use a Washcloth or Loofah
Instead of rubbing the bar directly onto your skin, try using a washcloth or loofah to create a rich lather. This reduces how much direct water exposure the soap gets and helps it last longer.
7. Don’t Let Tiny Soap Slivers Go to Waste
When your bar gets too small to use comfortably, don’t toss it! Instead:
- Place the slivers in a soap bag to keep using them.
- Stick the last bit onto a new bar, allowing them to fuse together.
Small Habits Make a Big Difference
With just a little extra care, your handmade goat milk soap can last much longer, helping you get the most out of every bar. By keeping it dry, using a soap dish, and incorporating small changes into your routine, you’ll enjoy your soap for weeks to come.
Looking for high-quality, long-lasting soap? Explore our handcrafted goat milk soaps and find your new favorite scent today!