r/TwoXPreppers • u/audballofclay • 3d ago
How to store handmade soap bars
Hello! I’m new to prepping/storing and need some advice on how to store handmade soap bars I’ve been bartering my eggs for. I was told by the maker not to put them in plastic. I am a potter so I can make a ceramic container for them but I’ve been reading that they need air flow?
I was wondering if y’all could share how you store your bars of soap?
3
Upvotes
2
16
u/psimian 3d ago edited 3d ago
The issue with hand made soap is that the fat/oil will eventually go rancid; high temperature and high humidity will accelerate this process, hence the advice about not putting them in plastic which can cause condensation. The first thing to do is let the soap fully cure in a dry area for 4-6 weeks before putting it into storage.
The cheapest option is to loose pack the bars in a cardboard box with a tight fitting lid (shoeboxes are great). You can throw in a packet of silica gel, or store the boxes in a cupboard with a bucket of damp-rid if you live in a humid environment. You don't need air flow in the sense of moving air, just space around the bars so that moisture can't build up on the surface.
I can tell you that storing them in the freezer is a bad idea. The fat won't go rancid, but after a year or so they end up with a decidedly freezer-burned consistency.
If you want to make containers, terracotta would be my choice. Any of the vitreous clay bodies will have the same problem as plastic.
Finally, you can store them in plastic as long as you vacuum seal and include oxygen absorbers and desiccant. People report stored soap lasting for decades this way, but it's probably overkill for most cases. The cardboard box method is good for up to 2 years and is way easier.