You've purchased your favourite Canadian handmade soaps and looking forward to get the lather going. Before you do that, stop here for a quick read.
First of all, if your soap is artisan soap like ours, made with natural ingredients, there is one thing you may not know! Newly made soap is soft, and hardens over time. Before we sell our bar soaps, we let them cure in our workshop for at least 6 weeks (yes, 'tis a lot of advance planning and making), so that they're hard by the time we hand them over to our lovely customers.
What changes take place to bar soaps over time?
As the bars harden, they actually shrink in size. Our full size bars are wrapped with Ontario seed paper, and when we put them on after cutting the loaves into individual bars, they're usually a perfect fit. After a few weeks, the seed paper band looks looser, and that's because the soap has lost weight (without even exercising or dieting!).
If you observe this change in your new soaps, it's natural. And the good news is that the harder they are, the longer they'll last. (Did you just crack a smile reading that fact?)
One other thing you should know, especially if your soaps are made with essential oils, the scent can fade over time if you don't store them properly.
How to store your new bars of soap?
Keep your soap in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight. A linen closet is a great and convenient choice, as is a drawer. This will help you maximize scent longevity of your soaps.
Bar soaps can sweat (again, even without exercising!), so keeping them away from heat and moisture is helpful.
Now that you know how to store them properly, next you should think about how to prolong the life of your bar soap when you start using them.
How to prolong the life of your bar soap in the shower?
If you want to prevent your soap from becoming mushy and gooey after just a few uses, try these tips.
Keep it High and Dry
One of the golden rules of soap storage is to keep it high and dry. That means finding a spot in your shower that is away from direct water flow. A soap dish with proper drainage is your best friend here. Plus, it adds a touch of charm to your bathroom decor!
Air it Out
After each use, make sure to let your soap air out. Don't just leave it sitting in a puddle of water (that's a surefire way to make it disappear faster than free pizza in an office break room). A well-ventilated area will do wonders for your soap's longevity.
Use the Right Dish
We highly recommend a soap dish that has slits or holes on the bottom. Our ladder style soap dish is great, but so is a sisal pouch that comes with draw strings for hanging (and seconds as an excellent exfoliator!). We carry these accessories for good reasons, friends!
Rotate Your Soaps
Just like you rotate your wardrobe to give all your clothes some love, consider rotating your soaps. This not only prevents one bar from getting too soggy but also allows you to switch up scents depending on your mood. It's like a mini spa day every time you shower!
So there you have it, folks! Say goodbye to mushy, short-lived bars of soap and hello to long-lasting, sudsy goodness. Your soap game will be on point, and your showers will be a bubbly paradise.