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Bar soap has been a trusted staple in our daily hygiene routines for centuries but is just now resurfacing in popularity. A big reason for that is that it is not packaged in a plastic bottle so the awareness around the climate crisis is linked to the rise in bar soap use. One thing that drives me bonkers is that many bar soap products are still covered in so much unnecessary plastic which kind of defeats the point.
The gap in time between the popularity of bar and bottled soap has raised some questions. For instance, have you ever wondered why your soap isn't lasting as long as you anticipated? If so, you're not alone. In this blog post, we'll explore the top reasons why bar soap doesn't last as long as it should and provide you with essential care and storage tips.
Inadequate Drainage:
This one is a biggie. It is by far the most common denominator in the mystery of "why is it gone so fast?" While a relationship with water is essential for that bubbling and cleansing action, bar soap also needs alone time away from the water to keep that relationship afloat. When left to sit in even small puddles of water it becomes soft and mushy, leading to faster disintegration. Mushy soap not only will not have an appealing texture but is much harder to clean with. Likely, you would be dropping bits and pieces on the floor of the tub or shower and now it's squished between your toes and... okay you get it, it's a mess! A very easy solution to fight squishy soap is to remove the excess water after each use. Oh, and no those little bumps built into the shower are usually not that helpful even though that's their purpose. The best way to combat this issue is to consider investing in a soap dish or lift with slots or holes that allow excess water to drain away. These products promote proper airflow, ensuring your soap dries quickly between uses.
Check out this short 52-second video I put together on our Instagram for some eye-opening
visuals on the difference good drainage can make.
2. Direct Water Contact: You might be thinking you already have a soap drainage solution. Let me check with you that it is not one of those metal racks hanging directly under the shower is it? It's a fact of life that shower heads often leak. If you have never had this problem then keep on doing what you are doing because that's some good luck right there! If your soap is underneath an area that is dripping water even at a slow rate, the bar will not be able to dry between uses resulting in a constant state of use. WHAT? Yeah, that's right! Even though you are not physically using the bar the water is reacting with it and continuously using very small amounts of it hence its disintegration over time. Leaving in a consistently wet environment like this can significantly reduce its lifespan. Instead, place it in a dry spot away from direct water contact. This simple adjustment can make a noticeable difference in how long your bar soap lasts.
3. High Humidity: Humidity can also contribute to the premature breakdown of bar soap. If your bathroom tends to be humid, consider storing your soap in a different area, such as a linen closet or bedroom. Alternatively, you can use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels in the bathroom, helping your soap last longer. This one is a bit more out there on the extremes to keeping your bar living its best life. An easy tip to decrease bathroom humidity is to simply use a fan when you are bathing and to leave the shower panels or curtains open a bit when you are done. This will allow some of that steamy air to escape and increase airflow in general to prompt faster drying times. 4. Soap Quality: Many soaps have a curing process that requires time for any water used during the manufacturing of the product to evaporate. Often times the longer it sits (within reason), the harder the bar. Not all bar soaps are created equal. Some lower-quality soaps may contain poor ingredients or are not formulated for longevity causing them to dissolve faster. Opt for high-quality, natural soaps for the best results. These soaps often contain nourishing oils and butters that not only cleanse but also provide moisture to your skin.
5. Traveling Struggles
Lets see if we can help with your excess water struggles when storing your products for traveling. If you are bringing your soap on the go then a lot of the solutions might not be geared to you. My best advice for those traveling is to make sure you pat your soap (or shampoo and conditioner bars) dry before packing them away in a dry storage container. A container could be a fancy tin designed just for that product or it could be an old plastic snack container. Whatever works, right? Either way, making sure it is at least surface dry will help a lot! If you can, when you get to where you are going, then just take the top off your container so it can have room to breathe and dry out any excess water trapped inside the bar. If you want to get really jazzy with it then you can add some sort of lift within the storage container that allows for that airflow underneath as well as on top when exposed to open air. Finally, I have one other trick for you to try. If you know that you don't need a lot of soap because maybe your trip is just for 3 days, then use a sharp knife and cut a small portion of the bar off. This will ensure that the portion you are not using will stay dry and hard.
6. Not taking advantage of your Scraps
I will never recommend a plastic loofah because they are known to harbor lots of bacteria unless regularly cleaned and if that wasn't enough they are made from plastic which means by using one you are contributing to the addition of microplastics down the drain and out to sea. Alternatives would be a natural fiber washcloth, a real loofah (made from an actual plant), or a soap saver bag. I will use my soap-saver bag as a glove sometime and just rub a little soap on it then lather it up for a gentle exfoliation. Otherwise, I usually save my soap-saver bag for my scraps. If you want to maximize those soap scraps when you get to the final bits, use a soap-saver bag! They are essentially a plastic-free alternative to bath poufs, but they offer you the ability to securely store small bits of soap inside while boosting the lather of your soap during use. It depends on your washing-up methods but you may find adding a washing aid like a loofah, cloth, or sistal fiber soap bag may decrease the amount of soap you use therefore increasing its longevity.
Conclusion: By implementing proper care and storage techniques, you can extend the lifespan of your bar soap and enjoy it for longer periods. Remember to look into in a soap dish or lift that allows for adequate drainage, avoid direct water contact, and consider the environmental conditions in which you store your soap. By taking these steps, you'll maximize the value and usage of your bar soap. Remember, with the right care, storage, and innovative solutions, you can make your bar soap last longer, saving you money and reducing waste in the process. I hope these insights were of value to you & your sudsing needs.
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