One of the most common questions we get asked at Mollis is — why does my handmade soap seem to go faster than my old commercial bar?
The answer lies in what makes handmade cold process soap so good for your skin in the first place. Handmade soap is rich in natural glycerin, oils and butters — it is a genuinely nourishing, skin-loving product. But that richness also means it needs a little more care than a commercial bar to get the most out of it.
The good news is that with just a few simple habits, your Mollis bar will last significantly longer — and your skin will thank you for every single wash.
1. Always Use a Draining Soap Dish
This is the single most important thing you can do. Handmade soap that sits in a puddle of water between uses will soften quickly and wear down much faster than it should. A soap dish with drainage slats or a raised wooden soap rest allows water to drain away and air to circulate around the bar, keeping it firm and dry between uses.
Avoid soap dishes that collect water at the bottom. Even a small amount of standing water will significantly shorten the life of your bar.
2. Keep it Away from Direct Shower Spray
Try not to leave your soap directly in the path of your shower stream when you are not using it. Constant water exposure between uses is the fastest way to dissolve a handmade bar prematurely. A small shelf or soap dish positioned just outside the direct spray makes a big difference.
3. Let it Dry Completely Between Uses
After each use, place your soap on its draining dish and let it air dry fully before the next shower. If you share a bathroom and the soap is being used multiple times a day, consider rotating between two bars so each one has time to harden and dry completely between uses.
4. Cut Your Bar in Half
If you want to make a bar last even longer, cut it in half when you open it and store one half in a cool, dry place. Use one piece at a time. The stored half will continue to cure and harden, which actually makes it last even longer when you eventually use it.
5. Store Unused Bars Properly
Store any bars you are not currently using in a cool, dry place away from humidity and direct sunlight. A linen cupboard or bedroom drawer is ideal — and as a bonus, your stored Mollis bars will gently fragrance whatever space they are kept in. Unwrapped bars also continue to cure over time, becoming harder and longer lasting the older they get.
One More Thing — Trim Your Wick
If you are also burning a Mollis candle alongside your soap routine — always trim your wick to 6mm before every burn. Just like soap care, a little attention goes a long way in making your handmade products last as long as possible.
A well-cared-for Mollis soap bar can last 4 to 6 weeks with daily use. Give your bar the conditions it needs to shine and it will reward your skin every single morning.
Shop the full Mollis handmade soap range at shopmollis.com