As a professional artisan soap maker, I often get asked how to get the best out of handmade cold-process soap. Here’s a quick guide on how to use, store, and care for your soap to ensure a long-lasting, high-quality experience!
Using Your Artisan Soap
Cold process soap is rich in natural oils, which makes it highly moisturizing and gentle on the skin. To fully enjoy its benefits:
• Lather it up! Wet the soap and rub it between your hands. To create a rich lather, we recommend using a natural scrunchie or washcloth. This soap works wonderfully for the face, body, hands, and even hair.
• Rinse thoroughly any remaining soap from your skin
• Air-dry between uses. To extend the life of your soap, keep it in a well-draining soap dish. Standing water will dissolve it faster, so ensure it can fully dry between uses.
Storing Your Freshly Made Soap
Freshly made cold process soap is best stored with care to allow it to cure fully and retain its freshness:
• Keep away from heat and humidity. Store your soap in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity, to prevent sweating or softening.
• Store in breathable packaging. Avoid plastic wrap or plastic containers; instead, use paper or cloth to allow the soap to “breathe” while keeping it protected from dust.
Shelf Life & Best Before
Handmade soap contains no preservatives, so while it has a good shelf life, there are some considerations:
• Best before 6-12 months. After about a year and a half, the natural oils in the soap may start to lose their scent or effectiveness. The soap is still safe to use but might feel drier and less fragrant.
• Watch for signs of spoilage. While rare, natural soaps may develop spots of rancidity (due to the oils) or fade in scent over time. If the soap has a sour smell or discolored patches, it’s best to retire it.
By following these steps, your cold process soap will last longer, remain effective, and deliver the rich, nourishing lather you love!
Do you want to know more about the benefits of natural artisan soap vs commercial soap? CLICK HERE and I’ll tell you all about it 🙂