How to store soap

Although I’ve shared these tips before, it’s been awhile. And as we head into the holiday season, you may be thinking about buying handmade soaps as holiday presents (it’s a great gift!) and will need to store those bars for a few weeks or more. There’s a good way to do that, and a bad way. So let’s cover the basics.

First, the soap bars are constantly "curing" meaning they are continuing to harden and evaporate moisture as they age. This is a good thing, because it means that your bar will last longer if it has aged a bit more, and usually have creamier lather too, although it may have shrunk in size a little bit.

Most importantly, they should never be stored in something that is airtight - like a ziplock plastic bag. If moisture accumulates in the bag or tight space, it will cause the soap to go "off". You will notice this as a not-so-fresh smell or the bar itself will be oily or oozing. At that point, it's still usable and not harmful, but it won't be pleasant smelling either.

Since my bars have so many fresh ingredients and extra emollient oils, the best rule of thumb is to give it and use it within 6 months. Many will last a year, but to be safe, go fresh.

The best way to store handmade soap bars is tuck it into a drawer or linen closet shelf while it waits - that way you get nicely scented linens, towels (or undies!) as a bonus. Bottom line rules: nothing too warm, no direct heat or light, just a bit of air and quiet resting time.

If you ever have questions or concerns about products, please don't hesitate to contact us! And our FAQ page has all kinds of answers to a pretty awesome list of questions too.