bar fight: why handmade soap wins & how to make it last

Let’s start with the basics: soap is not a mysterious chunk of good intentions. It’s the result of a chemical reaction called saponification, where oils or fats meet a strong alkali (usually sodium hydroxide, a.k.a. lye) and chemically transform into soap and glycerin. This alchemy produces a solid bar soap that lathers like a dream and doesn’t contain a laundry list of synthetic fillers no one can pronounce.

Most commercial "soaps" are actually syndet bars - synthetic detergent based concoctions stripped of natural glycerin and bulked out with preservatives, foaming agents, and fragrance stabilizers.

Handmade soap, on the other hand, is relatively simple, letting the ingredients take center stage: nourishing plant oils, skin loving butters, natural colorants, and essential oils that positively enhance your washing experience.

Bar soap has a reputation for melting into a sad, squishy mess if mistreated. While there isn't a direct scientific comparison between the longevity of handmade and commercial soaps, certain factors suggest that handmade soaps may last longer under proper conditions. Meaning, if you treat it right, it will outlast those soulless drugstore bricks by a mile. 

The bottomline here is: bar soap is not a bath bomb. It doesn’t want to soak.

Instead, show your handmade soap a little love. Here's how:

Drainage is durability. Always store your soap on a well-ventilated, slatted soap dish that allows air to circulate. No standing water = no soggy corners.

Keep it high and dry. Avoid storing your bar in the direct line of fire from the shower head or on the edge of the tub where it’s basically doomed.

Rotate your stock. If you have multiple bars (which you obviously do), let one dry out completely while you use another. Soap rotation is the mark of a true connoisseur.

Cut it down to size. Large bar? Slice it into two or three pieces. Smaller surfaces dry faster, and you extend the lifespan while also indulging in that fresh bar feeling more often.

Keep it cool, but not cold. Excessive heat can make your soap soft and gooey, while extreme cold can cause it to crack. Store it in a cool, dry place - no need to freeze it, just keep it chill.

Don't overdo the lather. It might be tempting to make mountains of foam, but excessive lathering can wear your bar down faster. A little goes a long way, and your skin will thank you for the lighter touch.

Let it breathe between uses. Just like your skin, your soap needs a little air. If it’s kept in an enclosed soap dish or container, the moisture has nowhere to escape and it starts to break down faster. Let it breathe!

Avoid "soap slippage." As tempting as it may be to just leave your soap hanging out by the sink or tub, it can slip, slide, and sink right into a puddle. Keep it in a spot where it won't go for a swim when you're not looking.

Artisan soap isn’t just a tool, it’s a small ritual. A sensory experience. A signal that you’re someone who thinks a little deeper about the things you bring into your home. Care for it accordingly, and it will reward you with rich lather, lasting value and the quiet satisfaction of using something made with intention.