A few simple habits can double the life of your bar. Here's how to store and use handmade soap the right way.
Natural handmade soap is different from commercial bars in one important way: it contains glycerin. That's great for your skin, but it also means the bar is more water-soluble. Leave it sitting in a puddle of water and it will dissolve faster than you'd like.
The single best thing you can do for your handmade soap is give it a good place to dry between uses.
This is the number one tip. A soap dish with drainage slats or a raised platform keeps your bar up out of any water that pools at the bottom. Ceramic or wooden soap dishes work great. Avoid flat dishes with no drainage — they're basically a slow death sentence for a natural bar.
If you share a shower with multiple people, try keeping the soap out of the direct stream of water when it's not in use. A small shelf or corner caddy where the bar can air out between uses makes a big difference.
If you have more than one bar, rotate them. Using a bar every other day and letting it fully dry in between extends its life considerably. This is also why we love having a few different scents on hand — it makes the rotation easy and gives you some variety.
Unused bars should be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. A linen closet shelf or a cardboard box works perfectly. Avoid airtight containers — the bars need to breathe. Properly stored, an unwrapped handmade soap bar will keep for 1–2 years.
Natural soap lathers differently than commercial bars. It tends to be creamier and less foamy — that's the glycerin at work. If you're used to commercial soap, it may feel different at first. Give it a week. Most people find they never want to go back.