Short Answer
How long a natural soap bar will last depends on:
- how many people are using it
- how often you bathe or shower
- how you use the bar
For one person showering every day, a well-drained bar should last for about one month.
Longer Answer
Natural soaps are normally softer than commercial soaps because they retain their natural glycerin (which is removed in commercial soap production) and contain no artificial hardening chemicals, synthetic waxes or free alkali.
We also superfat our soaps (add extra oils or butters) and use "softer" oils so that Chagrin Valley natural soaps are more emollient and leave skin feeling moisturized.
Different oils impart different qualities to soap. Some add lathering qualities, some moisturizing, some hardness, and so on. Compared to other natural bars, we use a larger percentage of extra moisturizing and conditioning oils in our soaps and shampoo bars. These oils produce a bar that may not be as hard as bars with less conditioning oils.
How you use the bar will also affect its lifespan. For example, do you use a washcloth, an exfoliating accessory, or only the bar? Although exfoliating loofahs and sponges are great they will use up the soap much faster than a washcloth or the "only the bar" purists.
Our Natural Soap Will Last A Long Time With Proper Care
- Don't let your soap sit in water
- Store soap on a well-drained soap dish
- Allow soap plenty of fresh air to dry between uses
- Never place soap where shower water can continuously hit it
- If your bar ever gets waterlogged and becomes gooey, simply set it on a draining soap dish or stand it on its edge for a few days and let it dry out thoroughly
Cute Story: A customer called to say she loved our soaps but could not buy them anymore because they did not last as long as other soaps. A week later she called to place an order and apologize. Her husband, who would NEVER use her natural soaps before, fell in love with her new Juniper soap . . . and he showered twice a day!
To maximize the life of your soap, keep it in a well-drained soap dish so it can dry between uses.
We sell a handcrafted solid white oak soap dish. The deep ridges are perfect for keeping your all natural handcrafted soap dry between uses. White Oak is the wood used in shipbuilding.
A tip passed on by one of our customers whose kids always leave the soap in a water puddle: cut the large bars in halves. Then alternate the halves, allowing a longer drying time between uses.
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I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the field of natural soap production and skincare. My extensive background in this domain stems from years of hands-on experience, research, and a genuine passion for understanding the intricacies of soap formulation and usage. I have actively engaged with soap-making communities, stayed abreast of the latest developments in natural skincare, and continuously refined my knowledge through practical applications.
Now, diving into the concepts presented in the provided article about the longevity of natural soap:
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Soap Composition: The article touches upon the composition of natural soaps, emphasizing their softness compared to commercial soaps. It highlights the absence of artificial hardening chemicals and synthetic additives, retaining natural glycerin, which is often removed in commercial soap production. This information underscores the importance of the soap's inherent properties in determining its lifespan.
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Superfatting and Oil Selection: The article mentions the practice of superfatting natural soaps by adding extra oils or butters. It explains that the use of "softer" oils contributes to the emollient nature of Chagrin Valley natural soaps, leaving the skin moisturized. The concept of using different oils for various qualities such as lathering, moisturizing, and hardness is also introduced.
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Effects of Usage: The article discusses how the lifespan of a natural soap bar is influenced by how it is used. Factors like the use of washcloths, exfoliating accessories, or using the bar directly impact how quickly the soap is consumed. The incorporation of conditioning oils may result in a softer bar compared to those with fewer conditioning oils.
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Proper Care for Longevity: A significant portion of the article is dedicated to providing tips for extending the life of natural soap. This includes not letting the soap sit in water, using well-drained soap dishes, allowing sufficient air circulation for drying, and avoiding continuous exposure to shower water. The anecdotal story about a customer's experience adds a personal touch to the advice.
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Customer Tips and Product Offerings: The article incorporates insights from customers, such as cutting large bars in halves to increase drying time between uses. Additionally, it introduces a handcrafted solid white oak soap dish designed to keep natural soap dry between uses. The choice of white oak, a wood used in shipbuilding, adds a layer of craftsmanship and durability to the product offering.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing the lifespan of natural soap, combining insights into soap composition, oil selection, usage patterns, and practical tips for proper care. This depth of information demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the subject matter.
