How to Get the Most Out of Your Natural Soap Bar

Natural soap bars are different from the detergent bars you'll find in most supermarkets. They're made with oils, butters and botanicals that behave differently in water, which means a little care goes a long way.

Here's what actually makes a difference.

Use a draining soap dish

This is the single biggest thing you can do. If your soap sits in pooled water between uses, it softens, goes mushy, and dissolves much faster than it should.

A dish with drainage holes lets the water escape and the bar dry out properly. Our Handmade Ceramic Draining Soap Dish is designed specifically for this, thrown by hand, with drainage holes that do exactly one job.

Let it dry between uses

After each use, move your soap somewhere it can breathe. Away from the direct stream of the shower if possible, and somewhere with a little airflow. The drier it stays between uses, the longer it lasts.

Keep it away from standing water

Don't leave it on a wet surface or in a puddle at the edge of the bath. It sounds obvious, but it's the most common reason a good bar disappears faster than expected.

Lather in your hands or a cloth, not directly on skin

Rubbing the bar directly onto your body creates more friction and more surface contact with water, which means it wears down faster. Instead, work up a lather in your hands first, or use a washcloth or our Exfoliating Sisal Soap Bag to build the lather before applying it to your skin. You'll use noticeably less soap per wash.

Soap bags — useful, but only in well-ventilated bathrooms

A natural fibre bag can be a good way to store and use your soap, but there's a catch: if your bathroom doesn't have good airflow, the bag can trap moisture around the bar and keep it soggy between uses, which is the opposite of what you want.

If your bathroom is well-ventilated, a sisal or cotton bag works well. It holds the bar, helps it drain, and doubles as a gentle exfoliator. We stock both an Exfoliating Sisal Soap Bag and an organic cotton option. But if airflow is limited, a draining dish is the better choice.

Cut larger bars into pieces

If you have a bigger bar, consider cutting it in half. Use one piece at a time and store the rest somewhere cool and dry. This keeps the unused portion in better condition and makes each piece easier to handle.

Store unused bars somewhere dry

If you've stocked up, keep spare bars in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A linen cupboard or drawer works well. Natural soap actually improves with age — the longer it cures, the milder and harder it becomes, which means it lasts even longer in use.

Don't worry too much

Natural soap is meant to be used. A few of these habits make a real difference, but you don't need to be precious about it. The main ones: drain it, dry it, don't leave it sitting in water.

That's really it.