Now that you’ve decided on your favorite scent (or scents!), here
are a few tips to getting the most enjoyment from your new handmade
soap.
Handmade soaps naturally have a high glycerin content,
which is great for your skin – but it also means the soap requires a
place to dry out between uses. The glycerin attracts water and if left
in standing water, the soap will break down quickly. To prolong the
lifespan of your soap, do not allow it to sit in a dish
or container that is bowl-shaped, or that allows water to pool in the
bottom. Also, beware of those indentations built into some showers as
“soap dishes”; they rarely drain properly.
Instead, be sure to store your soap in a dry place out of the stream of
water, and on a draining soap dish.
A slatted wood or bamboo soap dish
is ideal because it wicks water away from the soap, allowing the soap to
dry properly.
Alternatively, a “soap saver” (an oval disk with raised
nubs) placed in the bottom of your favorite soap dish should keep it
high and dry. (These are available at Bed Bath & Beyond for about $2.00 each.)
Unused soaps need to be stored in a cool, dry place
– preferably, NOT the bathroom. A linen closet is great (plus, the soap
will make your linens smell good!). If you need to transport the soap
and are concerned about the scent migrating to other items (such as
food), wrap the soap snugly in waxed paper to block the scent transfer.
Hope these little tips will help you get the most from your hand-crafted soap experience!
