Rotation question for soap users...

[Seldon]

Gents, I have a quick question that is quite newbish. I have been wetshaving for some time now, but only recently jumped into DE shaving, which is the greatest of course, after finding this great site. That said, I've never been one to rotate, tending to finish a complete puck before moving on. I know, not very adventurous. However, I've just grabbed some Proraso cream, and am missing my Williams as well. My question is this; how do you store your soaps while rotating through other soaps and creams? Should the soap be kept in an air-tight container, or would "glad-ware" style bowls with lids be enough? Should I melt/mill into ceramic bowls, or are lids a must? Sorry to be so misinformed, but I couldn't find the answer anywhere else. I appreciate any and all responses. Cheers!

[richmondesi]

Gents, I have a quick question that is quite newbish. I have been wetshaving for some time now, but only recently jumped into DE shaving, which is the greatest of course, after finding this great site. That said, I've never been one to rotate, tending to finish a complete puck before moving on. I know, not very adventurous. However, I've just grabbed some Proraso cream, and am missing my Williams as well. My question is this; how do you store your soaps while rotating through other soaps and creams? Should the soap be kept in an air-tight container, or would "glad-ware" style bowls with lids be enough? Should I melt/mill into ceramic bowls, or are lids a must? Sorry to be so misinformed, but I couldn't find the answer anywhere else. I appreciate any and all responses. Cheers!

I just keep mine in their original bowls, tubes, tubs, mugs, etc.. If it didn't come with one, I get a bowl or mug that fits it and call it good :001_smile

[moonshine44]

I'm a proponent of the "Gladware" type bowls for soap storage; inexpensive and readily available. When I decide to change soaps, I slap the lid on the current one, stack it in the medicine cabinet, take out a different one and away we go...

I also use several Mama Bear's soaps that come in their own bowls with screw-on lids. Those just get the lid screwed on and same scenario. Back in the cabinet...

As for milling/mashing, I personally don't bother. I just drop the puck in the Gladware, and go to work on it with my brush. It'll wander a bit at first, but they generally begin to stick to the bottom of the bowl after a few uses. The only time I melt a meltable soap is when it starts to get a decided crater in the middle; then I'll sometimes melt it back to a flat surface. Depends on how I'm feeling at the time...

I'm a firm believer in using whatever scented soap strikes my fancy on any given day. A new puck might get used for a day, a week, or a month, then it's on to something else...

As usual, YMMV...

[Uncle Erik]

I bought bowls to go with each soap. That might be impractical if you have a lot of soaps, but I only have about five. I switch them whenever the mood strikes. Right now, I have the MWF out on the counter.

[grouse79]

That might be impractical if you have a lot of soaps, but I only have about five.

Spoken like a true B & B'er!

I believe the only thing that will noticeably decrease as a soap ages is its scent, which if it is kept covered will last longer.

[Optometrist]

Gents, I have a quick question that is quite newbish. I have been wetshaving for some time now, but only recently jumped into DE shaving, which is the greatest of course, after finding this great site. That said, I've never been one to rotate, tending to finish a complete puck before moving on. I know, not very adventurous. However, I've just grabbed some Proraso cream, and am missing my Williams as well. My question is this; how do you store your soaps while rotating through other soaps and creams? Should the soap be kept in an air-tight container, or would "glad-ware" style bowls with lids be enough? Should I melt/mill into ceramic bowls, or are lids a must? Sorry to be so misinformed, but I couldn't find the answer anywhere else. I appreciate any and all responses. Cheers!

I purchased all my soaps in the wooden bowls which have lids. After shaving, I just wipe the bowl with a towel, the inner rim, and leave to air dry for approx 1 hour. I then replace the lid that just sits on the bowl and that's it until the next use. No need to bother cleaning out the bowl-it's only going to be used again soon!

David

[Gustav]

I am thinking of stockpiling especially tallow soaps and would not like them to go rancid during storage. Are there any optimum temperature, humidity and light vs dark issues when it comes to long term storage of soaps? Should containers be air tight?

[bythbook]

I am thinking of stockpiling especially tallow soaps and would not like them to go rancid during storage. Are there any optimum temperature, humidity and light vs dark issues when it comes to long term storage of soaps? Should containers be air tight?


I have a number of vintage tallow soaps - some 50 years old (or more) - and there ain't no rancid going on! And most have never been stored in anything close to airtight.

Airtight is probably necessary for maintaining a soap's scent. The few old soaps I have that have retained scent are stored in airtight containers - screw-top tubes/jars. Sadly, even the "unopened NIB" soaps in wood bowls lost scent (thought not entirely); soaps in unopened plastic or bakelite retained scent better than those in wood.

Have fun! Try a lot of 'em... the old ones probably won't smell as good as new ones, but often the lather is better.

[Gustav]

I have a number of vintage tallow soaps - some 50 years old (or more) - and there ain't no rancid going on! And most have never been stored in anything close to airtight.

Airtight is probably necessary for maintaining a soap's scent. The few old soaps I have that have retained scent are stored in airtight containers - screw-top tubes/jars. Sadly, even the "unopened NIB" soaps in wood bowls lost scent (thought not entirely); soaps in unopened plastic or bakelite retained scent better than those in wood.

Have fun! Try a lot of 'em... the old ones probably won't smell as good as new ones, but often the lather is better.

Thank you for putting my mind at ease!

[wolfmanxiii]

I personally just use whichever soap I feel like using that day in my rotation.

As for storage I don't usually buy the container with the soap because you can usually get the "soap refill" without the container for a lower price. I grate my soap and press it into glass sugar bowls with lids (not air-tight) that I get for about $2 a piece at Wal Mart. If you have any questions about grating PM me and I can help you out; I've made a video tutorial as well.
Glad containers work well too especially the glass ones with the plastic sealing lids...pretty much any container with a general soap bowl shape. I know one member likes to use German army issue butter containers...you can also buy plastic soap containers for shave soap from Mama Bears.

As for tallow soaps one other person said air-tight may be a good idea. I've heard the same thing; tallow soaps can go rancid. I haven't experience this yet with any of mine, but I haven't had them for a really long time so if you feel the need don't hesitate to use an air-tight container for your tallows; better safe than sorry.

Also if you use an air-tight container let your soap dry for a while before you put the lid back on (shave in the morning, leave the soap out to dry while you are at work, come home and put the lid on or shave at night, let it dry while you sleep, get up in the morning and put the lid on). This will prevent any moisture issues.

[Mr. Scruffy]

I just keep mine in their original bowls, tubes, tubs, mugs, etc.. If it didn't come with one, I get a bowl or mug that fits it and call it good :001_smile

This.

You can get some pretty neat wooden bowls from Gentlemens Best (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=127999) and help B&B in the process.