How to Cure Cold Process Soap: Storage Tips for Handmade Soapmakers
🧼 How to Cure Cold Process Soap: Storage Tips for Handmade Soapmakers
There’s nothing quite like slicing into a fresh loaf of handmade soap. The vibrant colors, intricate swirls, and beautiful scents make each bar feel like a mini work of art. But even after all the pouring and cutting, there’s one more crucial step left in cold process soapmaking: curing.
🌿 Why Curing Soap Matters
Curing isn’t just waiting, it’s where the magic happens. Over 4 to 6 weeks, your cold process soap bars harden, lose excess moisture, and become milder and longer-lasting. It's what takes them from soft and fragile to firm, luxurious, and ready for use.
Here’s how I cure my handmade soaps at home using a simple, budget-friendly setup:
🪵 Curing Setup: Affordable & Effective
I use a basic shoe rack stabilized with baskets and baking trays, nothing fancy, just functional. Each soap bar is spaced out on lined trays or parchment paper to avoid contact with metal or plastic surfaces, which could affect the soap.
➡️ Tip: Proper air circulation helps prevent uneven curing or trapped moisture, so give each bar breathing room.
🌤️ Where to Cure Soap: Keep It Cool, Dry & Dark
Your curing area should be a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight or humidity. I cure my soaps in a quiet corner of my home, free from heat and excess moisture. This preserves scent, color, and quality.
🚫 No Stacking, No Snuggling
Even though they look adorable lined up together, I keep my soaps separated. No touching! This prevents sticking and ensures airflow reaches every side of the bar.
🏷️ Label Everything (And Track Progress!)
Each batch gets a label with its pour date, so I always know where it is in the curing process. I also track the weight every few days, once the weight stabilizes, the bars are good to go!
➡️ Pro tip: Stable weight = cured soap. No guesswork needed.
👀 A Peek a Day Keeps the Soapmaker Sane
I can’t help myself, I check on them daily. It’s calming, rewarding, and a reminder that good things really do take time. Watching those bars transform day by day is one of the most satisfying parts of soapmaking.
🧽 Final Thoughts: Patience Pays Off
If you’re new to cold process soapmaking, don’t rush the cure! Curing is a key step in producing a high-quality, long-lasting bar. Take it slow, enjoy the process, and trust that the time you give your soap is what makes it truly shine.
Want additional information on the importance of soap-curing? Checkout this article from Oh The Things We’ll Make!