How to make soap bar last longer (must-know secrets)

Winner, would you like to learn how to make soap bar last longer?

Then you’ve come to the right post.

Because in this post, I’m about to teach you how to preserve soap by air-drying it. Plus how to make your soap bar last longer once you start using it.

How much does your soap bar cost you? (I buy a cheaper brand for approximately $1.30 per pound of soap).

If your soap bar is more on the expensive side. And you just can’t switch to a cheaper brand, that’s OK.

Because remember, being frugal is not about refusing to spend money.

Rather, it’s about spending your money where you believe it’s worth it.

By the way, learn these 20 frugal living mistakes to avoid so you can get on the right footing for your frugal lifestyle.

The point of this post is to teach you how to make that very expensive bar of soap last longer.

So you don’t have to keep shelling out your hard-end money for more bars.

So, it’s established: soap is one of these 7 simple shower essentials.

And therefore, they’re almost always an essential part of your monthly budget.

Check out the answer to Statista‘s question to the U.S population: do you use bar soap?

And you’ll see that the majority of people around the world use soap when showering.

That’s why knowing how to handle your soap bars is one of these 130 genius frugal living tips you need to start now.

7 easy steps to make soap bar last longer

Step 1: Unwrap the soap bar

Take the soap bar out of all its packaging. And that’s because you want the entire surface of the soap to be in direct contact with the air.

Take the soap bar out of its packaging as soon as you unpack your groceries.

Step 2: Place the bare bar in a surface that gets the maximum air circulation

And that means, air without any obstructions.

For example: choose:

Step #3: Let your soap bar come into contact with some sunlight

If you’re fortunate enough to get some sun exposure, even if it’s only for a short time, then place your soap in a surface where the sun directly hits your soap.

To get maximum exposure to the sun, you can keep your soap on that surface indefinitely.

That way, you don’t have to actively remember to move your soap to that surface to get the sunlight.

Step #4: Rotate the soap bar

This is to ensure that the entire surface of the soap bar gets some air.

Don’t worry about assigning a particular time period to each surface.

Instead, just rotate the bar when you feel the exposed sides have gotten enough sun.

Step #5: Avoid any contact of the soap with water

Protect your soap bar from water at all costs when you’re drying it.

And that means if you air-dry your soap outside, move it inside if it rains.

If you’re living in areas with high humidity, you’ll want to air-dry your soap inside at all times.

And even inside the house, make sure you avoid any moisture.

If you’re working with a limited space, and have to put your soap bar on your window sill above the sink,

then put it at very end of your window sill, where it gets the least contact with water.

Step #6: Leave the soap bar out of its packaging once it’s air-dried

Even if you feel your soap has air-dried enough, don’t put it back into its packaging.

So that even as you store your dried soap away, it will have access to air for further preservation.

Step #7: Air-dry your bar until you use it

You can never do enough-air-drying. So, until you finally use your soap, let it air-dry. And if you have access to the sun, keep taking it to a suitable surface in between showers to get more sun.

OK. Now that you’ve air-dried your soap, it’s time to make sure it lasts you for as long as possible once you start using it.

But how do you do that?

It’s easy with these:

10 easy tips to make soap bar last longer once you’ve started using it

Tip #1: Don’t use hot water in your shower/bath

The hotter your water, the faster it will dissolve your soap.

Hot water isn’t good for your skin anyway. So, bring the water to a lukewarm temperature.

That will definitely make soap bar last longer.

Tip #2: Don’t leave the soap in the water

Again, you’re trying to prevent the water from dissolving your soap. So, in between lathering sessions, keep the soap out of the water.

Which is why you should…

Tip #3: Invest in a soap holder

A soap holder will help keep your soap bar in a drier environment. And that’s as long as your soap holder has proper drainage.

Tip #4: Use a wash cloth to apply the soap

A cloth will absorb your soap and create suds faster than applying the soap directly to your skin.

So, by using a wash cloth you use less soap, but get thoroughly cleaned.

If you’re using a loofah in your showers, apply the soap on the loofah rather than the skin too.

Tip #5: Dry your soap bar after bathing/showering

Dry it off completely with your wash cloth.

Even better, take your soap out into the open air and sunlight for further drying.

Tip #6: Use your soap until the very end of it

Get maximum use out of your soap bar by using it until it’s too small to handle.

Tip #7: Keep and use the small pieces of soap

You can gather these and use them at the same time on your wash cloth. They are easier to handle this way.

Tip #8: Make a new soap bar from your small pieces

If you gather the small pieces of your soap bars over time, you can melt the pieces, let them cool. And there, you have a new bar of soap!

Tip #9: Keep your soap away from the after-shower steam

Further preserve your soap by opening the bathroom windows to let the steam out after every shower.

If for some reason you can’t keep your windows open to dry your soap, then as soon as you’ve dried your soap with your wash cloth, you can stash the soap away inside your cupboard.

And then retrieve it whenever you need to use it. But don’t forget to put it back into the cupboard after showering/bathing.

Tip #10: Cater for enough soap

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having multiple uses for your soap bar.

After all, in my house, we sometimes use the bar when we hand wash laundry.

I also use it to wash my hair at home.

But I find that the best way to make a soap bar last longer is to dedicate it to a specific purpose.

And if you have to use it for other things, then plan beforehand. And dedicate enough soap bars to each of those other areas.

So that you know exactly how much soap to buy.

Winner’s challenge!

Winner, use 2 new soap bars for this experiment.

Step 1

Leave 1 bar of soap in its original packaging for 30 full days. And store it as you normally do, along with your other home products.

Step 2

Take the other soap bar out of it’s packaging. And then use the DIY air-drying method on it for 30 full days.

Step 3

After 30 full days, try using each soap bar to see how long each will last.

You can choose to start using either the air-dried soap, or the fresh one.

As long as you use each bar exactly as you use the other.

For example, if you use the air-dried soap only for showering for 10 minutes, twice a day; then do the same with the fresh soap bar.

Step 4

Observe how long each bar lasts.

Summary

Air-drying is an excellent way to preserve your soap bar, and get the most out of it. The steps and tips to preserve the soap are easy to do, and they produce amazing results.

I hope you find these steps and tips useful.

In that case, please share your feedback: what did you think of this post?