How to Make Your Shampoo Bar Last Twice as Long: 4 Simple Storage Tips
Have you invested in an organic shampoo bar and want to make sure you get the maximum number of washes from it? One of the biggest benefits of solid shampoo is that it lasts incredibly long—one bar can replace up to three regular shampoo bottles!
But for the bar to last throughout its entire lifespan, you need to take proper care of it in the shower.
Here are our 4 best and easiest tips on how to store your shampoo bar so that it stays solid, fresh, and lasts twice as long.
Why does the shampoo bar become soft or sticky?
A handmade shampoo bar is completely water-free and made with concentrated botanical ingredients. When it comes into contact with water, it lathers wonderfully—but if it is left standing in water after washing, it continues to activate and dissolve.
By letting the bar dry properly between each use, you preserve its solid form and prevent the product from going to waste.
4 simple tricks for perfect storage
1. Use an airy soap dish with drainage
The most common mistake is placing the shampoo bar on a flat surface or in a soap dish without holes. This leaves the bar sitting in a pool of water, causing it to melt at the bottom.
Invest in a soap dish with clear drainage or a slatted surface. This allows air to circulate around the entire bar—even underneath—so it dries quickly after your shower.
See our stylish and functional soap dishes for the shower here.
2. Hang the bar in a shampoo pouch
If you are short on space on your shower shelf, a shampoo pouch (or soap pouch) is the most convenient solution. By placing the bar in the pouch and hanging it from a hook in the shower, it gets 360-degree air circulation and dries in no time.
Bonus: You can wash your hair directly with the bar still in the pouch for extra luxurious lather, and you can easily collect the very last small pieces of soap in the pouch so that nothing goes to waste!
Find our smart and gentle shampoo pouch here.
3. Move the bar out of the spray
Do not place your soap dish directly under the shower spray, where water splashes constantly. Place or hang the bar a short distance away, or outside the shower area, so that it can dry undisturbed between washes.
4. Let the bar dry before you travel
Are you taking your shampoo bar on a trip, to the gym, or on a flight? Make sure it is completely dry before packing it away. If you seal a damp bar in an airtight container, it may become soft. In a hurry? Gently dry it with a towel before packing it!
Quick guide: Proper vs. improper storage
| Storage method | Result for the shampoo bar | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Soap dish with drainage / Shampoo pouch | Dries quickly, retains its solid form and scent. | Maximized (equivalent to up to 3 bottles) |
| Flat soap dish without holes | Sits in water and melts at the bottom. | Shortened lifespan (the product is unnecessarily washed away) |
| Directly under the shower spray | Gets splashed and gradually dissolves with every shower. | Wears out drastically ahead of time |
| Airtight container while the bar is wet | Becomes soft and sticky. | Loses its solid structure |
Take care of your products—and the environment
Switching to solid shampoo is a fantastic step toward a plastic-free bathroom and a healthier hair-care routine. With proper storage, you can ensure that your shampoo bar lasts as long as it is meant to!
Click here to see our accessories, soap dishes, and shampoo pouches that make it easy to keep your products fresh in the shower.