Soap pouch and soap dish: how to store your bar soap properly
A bar of soap that is stored incorrectly dissolves in standing water and gets used up twice as fast as it should. It’s not the soap’s fault, it’s the way it’s stored. With the right holder or bag, the same bar can last twice as long and deliver more consistent results every time.
Here, we’ll go through the two most common storage options, a soap bag and a soap dish, and help you choose the right one for your shower and routine.
Why does storage matter so much?
Bar soap is concentrated and water-free, but it isn’t waterproof. When soap sits in standing water, its surface layer continuously dissolves, even when you’re not using it. The result is a slippery, mushy bar that gets used up quickly and feels less pleasant to use.
The solution is simple: the soap needs air circulation and drainage between uses. Then the surface hardens again, and the soap keeps its shape and effectiveness.
Soap bag: for those who shower with the soap directly
An organza soap bag, like FOAM’s Shampoo bag, serves two purposes at once. You can leave the soap in the bag throughout your shower and rub the bag directly against your skin to quickly build up a rich lather. When you’re done, hang up the bag so the soap hangs freely and dries quickly on all sides.
A soap bag is especially handy for soap scraps. Instead of throwing away the last small pieces, put them in the bag and use 100% of the product. FOAM’s Shampoo bag is made in Sweden (Borås) from premium organza material and dries extremely quickly.
Soap dish: for those who prefer to use the soap loose
A soap dish with drainage keeps the soap raised off the surface so water can drain freely. Material matters: plastic retains moisture, while stoneware and wood breathe better and feel more upscale in the bathroom. FOAM’s stoneware soap dish is designed with drainage and works for both beauty bars and shampoo bars.
Remember to place the soap dish out of the shower’s direct spray. The soap should get wet when you use it, but dry quickly afterward.
Soap bag or soap dish: which is right for you?
| Soap bag | Soap dish | |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Wash directly with the bag | Soap loose on the dish |
| Drying | Hangs up and dries quickly | Depends on placement |
| Soap scraps | Perfect for small pieces | Decorative detail |
| Aesthetics | Discreet, practical | Decorative, visible |
| Material | Organza (FOAM: made in Sweden) | Stoneware |
Read more about choosing the right bar soap in our complete guide to bar soap.