How to Store Shampoo Bars: Care Tips for at Home and On-The-Go
Shampoo bars can last 3x as long as bottled shampoo if stored correctly. Make your bars last longer with these simple storage tips for at home and on-the-go.
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
550 million plastic shampoo bottles are thrown away each year, which means switching to zero-waste shampoo and conditioner bars is a great step to take on your sustainable journey. They’re easy to use, cost-effective, and the perfect travel companions.
Have a browse our Suds & Eco products for a choice of 12 packaging-free all-natural shampoo and conditioner bars. Try out the Maui Melon Bar to gently nourish and hydrate your curls, or go for the Peppermint Breeze Bar to soothe an itchy and dry scalp.
Once you’ve found your perfect match, read our tips below to make your new purchase last as long as possible…
How long do shampoo bars last?
One of our Suds & Co. bars replaces 3 plastic shampoo bottles. Used correctly, they can last up to 90 shampoos. If you wash your hair every other day, that’s one bar for 6 whole months!
Of course, this is only true if you store them correctly to avoid unnecessary product wastage.
How to store shampoo and conditioner bars
There’re three main things to remember when it comes to storing shampoo and conditioner bars: DODGE the direct flow of water, DRAIN the water after use, and keep them DRY in between uses.
1. DODGE: Keep your shampoo bar away from the direct flow of water
Scrubbing every inch of your body? Having genius shower thoughts? Whatever you’re up to in there, avoid leaving your bars in the direct stream of water. This will mean the bar is getting used up, only to go straight down the drain.
Ideally, you want to store your bars on a shower rack that’s far enough away from the shower head. You can place our zero waste soap lift on your shower shelf or a spot that’s far enough away from the stream, to drain excess water after usage.
2. DRAIN: Let the water drain away
If you’ve ever left a damp soap bar on a countertop before, you’ll know the slimy mess it can create. After your shower, allow the water to drain to avoid creating a swamp.
Soap dishes are the obvious choice, but they’re not all created equally. Choose one that’s designed with drainage in mind. Our Soap Dish has a bamboo grid that holds the soap above a cornstarch base which catches all the water.
For quicker drainage, you can hang up your shampoo and conditioner bars in a mesh bag, such as our Agave Soap Saver Bag.
3. DRY: Keep them dry between uses
In a steamy bathroom, you might find your bars never get dry when they’re sat out. We recommend giving them a break from the humidity in an airtight container or cupboard.
The most sustainable container is one you already own. To re-purpose an airtight container, you can chop our corn-based soap lift to the right size and put it inside so your bars stay dry.
If you can’t find one that’s the right size at home, our Suds & Eco Soap Tin fits one of our full-sized shampoo or conditioner bars perfectly. Each tin already comes with a soap lift for drainage and to stop the bar from getting smushed at the bottom of the tin.
How to store shampoo bars for travel
Shampoo bars are the ideal travel companions: they last longer than bottles and take up less space, they can be stored in carry-on luggage, and they won’t explode all over your vacation outfits!
Here are some tips to carefully dry and drain your bars when you’re on the go:
- Cut a small portion of your shampoo and conditioner bars to take with you, so they’re easier to store in your luggage and take less time to dry.
- Bring your soap-saver bag to hang up your bars to dry before they go back into your container.
- If you need to dry your bars quickly, gently dab them on a face cloth or towel.
The bottom line: dodge, drain, and dry!
There you have it – how to store shampoo bars to make them last longer, and your money go further!
We hope we’ve made it simple to remember: DODGE the direct stream of water, DRAIN them after use, DRY them between uses. This applies both when you’re storing them at home or for travel, although you may need to make some nifty adjustments when you’re on-the-go.
If this blog has reached you too late and you’re already faced with a gooey shampoo bar, a soap saver bag is your hero here. Put your bar – whatever shape it’s in – in the bag to create a sudsy shampoo.
Remember, haircare bars aren’t the only way to reduce your in-shower waste. You can feature face bars, body soaps, and hand soaps in your routine too. Check Suds & Eco for our full range of zero waste bars and storage products (the same storage rules apply for these products too!).
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