What gives store-sold soaps their long shelf-life?

[DeeAnna]

I specifically ~most~ soaps, and I was thinking of OO soaps as being a particular exception. But even an OO soap that's older might perform well -- in fact many non OO soaps will perform well too -- but they can still lose fragrance and may look shopworn.

 

[nebetmiw]

I would not worry about shelf life of soap. It is a wash on and off product. We are Not eating it so it does not matter. As long as you stay away from the DOS oils you will be OK. If you have soap sitting around over a year maybe you need to unload some soap. I can not get mine to stay around 6 months here.

 

[mx5inpenn]

I am assuming that the seller is giving them the full minimum cure prior to selling. I would then also assume that they should have their best fragrance in the time she suggested while still being fully cured. Since I haven't purchased from her, I can only assume, so maybe that makes me a donkey's uncle

 

[Trix]

This thread reminded me of some 100% olive oil,soaps I did years ago, I think in like 2009.....then I found them again in 2012 before moving, and they actually lathered much better than any OO soap I did before.

With other soaps depends on the ingredients, colours and fragrance fade, but it usually doesn't really expire. But again depends on the oils used.

 

[mattiesmom]

DeeAnna, Didn't suggest the soap maker with the 3 month shelf life was hiding anything and certainly didn't want to come across as uncharitable. Just trying to find out what everyone else thought since this is the first and only time I've seen that.

 

[DeeAnna]

MattiesMom -- I understand you were only asking about this person's instructions all in the spirit of learning. It was the tone of some of the responses that bothered me, not anything you said. The discussion shows the wide variety of interpretation on someone's words, doesn't it? I am curious to know what the soapmaker's point of view is about her instructions -- she might be thinking something entirely different than all of us here in the peanut gallery!

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Based on the tales some members tell about how family member squirrel the soaps away in drawers and so on, I think the idea that she wants it used before the scent fades is likely.

Sure, as soapers we can appreciate the difference between a 1 month, 3 month and 12 month bar, but how many customers could really do the same, especially with lack of scent?

 

[Sapwn]

Sure, as soapers we can appreciate the difference between a 1 month, 3 month and 12 month bar, but how many customers could really do the same, especially with lack of scent?

I get your point and I think you are right. Most of them will not appreciate an aged soap. The only way to communicate the higher quality of the aged soap is to make it evident on the shelf. Demonstrate the soap highlighting that it is old. A special wrapping or package will help. Avoid colors and scents, they have no place in a high quality aged soap. Raise the price of the aged soap. Most people understand quality only in relation with the price. Remember how many ignorant people look only the prices in a wine list in order to find a good bottle.

Some years ago, while looking for good quality towels in a shop, I found a wooden box with broken pieces of dark soap inside. The box was very nice and made by solid wood. The price was approximately 50 euros and I couldn’t understand why a soap would cost so much. They explained to me that this is a particular kind of soap made in Syria with high quality olive oil and laurel seed oil. The soap was pricy because it was aged for many years. They also explained the presumed beneficial for the skin characteristics of this special soap and they showed me the papers that were included inside the box.
I bought it. And I never regret it. This was my first contact with the great Aleppo soap. After years, I learned how to do it myself and never had to pay this price again.

 

[misfities]

You paid $50 for Aleppo Soap? They sell this stuff down the street from me at the Arab market for $3 each and they're approximately 8 years old from Syria. I need to start buying this stuff and reselling it.

 

[Sapwn]

You paid $50 for Aleppo Soap? They sell this stuff down the street from me at the Arab market for $3 each and they're approximately 8 years old from Syria. I need to start buying this stuff and reselling it.

Yes, I did back then :roll:
And I didn't regret it.

Not all Aleppo soaps are the same. The quality of the olive oil matters. The quality of the laurel seed oil matters. The percentage of the laurel oil matters. There is 3% laurel oil in a soap and there is 50% laurel oil in another. Age matters as well.
You can find one that is worth a euro and others that worth 15 euros. Plus the labelling and the beautiful wood case that holds 3-4 bars and we are close to 50 euros ...

 

[true blue]

I get your point and I think you are right. Most of them will not appreciate an aged soap.

That's my guess too. People who aren't familiar with handmade soap will a lot of times just use them to set around their guest bathrooms because they're 'special'. Then, after the scent fades, they end up just chunking them instead of using them. Sad. On top of that, those types of people tend not to be repeat customers.

Question, DeeAnna ... you mentioned 'old lye' ... how old does lye have to be for you to consider it old, and if it's stored in a sealed food-grade bucket, would that lengthen the shelf life? I mean, nothing's getting in, nothing's getting out ... only opened once a year (if) ... what do you think?

 

[DeeAnna]

Lye is "old" when it doesn't work well anymore due to reacting with moisture and carbon dioxide in the air. The less exposure to the open air, the less humidity in that air, an air tight seal for the container lid ... all are good things.