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You know those tiny little slivers of soap that are left when you’ve almost finished a bar? The ones that become increasingly difficult to use without dropping them down the plughole?

Well, don’t throw them away! There are a few easy ways to make sure you get every last bit of use out of your lovely soap.

1. Stick them to a new bar

This is probably the simplest trick of all. Wet your little sliver and the surface of a new bar, press them firmly together and leave them to dry. With a bit of luck, they’ll stick together and you can carry on using the old soap along with the new.

2. Use a soap saver bag

This is exactly what those little sisal soap saver bags are brilliant for! Pop your leftover slivers inside, wet the bag and rub it between your hands or use it to wash in the shower. You’ll still get plenty of lather without trying to keep hold of a piece of soap the size of a postage stamp. Once you’ve finished, hang the bag up somewhere it can dry thoroughly.

3. Squish them together

If you’ve collected a few small pieces, try dampening them slightly and pressing them together to make one larger, slightly peculiar-looking lump of soap. It’s unlikely to win any beauty contests, but it’ll still get you clean.

4. Keep one beside the sink

A small sliver can be surprisingly useful for a quick handwash. You don’t necessarily need a full-sized bar every time. Just give it somewhere to drain and dry, as you would with any soap, and challenge yourself to see whether you can use it until it actually disappears.

Every little bit counts

One of the things I love about solid soap is that you can use it right down to the very last little piece. And while I obviously love it when you come back for another bar, I’d much rather you got the full value out of the one(s) you’ve already bought first 😊

Good soap deserves to be used, right down to the last little slivers.

And with that, Blogtober 2026 is DONE! Thirty-one days, thirty-one blog posts, and considerably more soap-related information than I suspect anybody thought they needed. 😂 Thank you so much if you’ve been following along, reading, commenting or sharing. I’ve genuinely enjoyed putting this little collection together, although I might give the blog a rest for a day or two now!

Vicki x

If you’ve ever looked at the ingredients on a bottle of shower gel, liquid handwash or body lotion, you’ll probably have noticed a few unfamiliar names towards the end of the list. Some of these may be preservatives, added to help prevent bacteria, mould and other microorganisms from growing in the product.

But handmade cold process soap doesn’t need an added preservative. And no, it’s not because I’ve discovered some miraculous preservative-free secret. It’s simply down to the chemistry of traditional soap.

First, why do cosmetics need preservatives?

Many cosmetic products contain water, and where there’s water, there is the potential for microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts and moulds to grow. Products like lotions and creams can provide quite a welcoming environment for microbial growth, especially once you’ve opened them and started using them.

Preservatives help keep those products safe throughout their intended shelf life. They’re not something to be frightened of, and I would never suggest that a product is better or safer because it’s described as preservative-free. Actually, that usually gets alarm bells ringing for me.

But different products have different preservation needs, and a solid bar of traditional soap is rather different from a pot of moisturising cream.

Soap is naturally alkaline

In my recent post about the pH of handmade soap, I wrote about the fact that traditional cold process soap is alkaline, typically with a pH somewhere around 9 to 10.

Many microorganisms don’t grow particularly well in alkaline conditions, which makes traditional soap a less welcoming environment for them. That doesn’t mean bacteria can’t ever be found on a bar of soap, or that soap somehow sterilises itself. Some microorganisms are perfectly capable of surviving alkaline conditions.

But surviving and multiplying are two different things, and soap’s natural alkalinity helps make it difficult for many microorganisms to thrive.

There’s another reason: water

This might sound slightly odd, given that soap spends so much of its working life getting wet. A properly cured bar contains relatively little water that’s available for microorganisms to use. Scientists call this water activity. It’s not simply about how much water a product contains, but how much of that water is available to support microbial growth.

During curing, excess water gradually evaporates from my soap bars, helping them become harder and longer-lasting. The finished soap has a relatively low water activity, which makes it way less suitable for microbial growth. Combine that with its alkaline nature, and you’ve got a product that doesn’t need an additional preservative to remain microbiologically stable.

Clever stuff, chemistry.

Does that mean soap can’t go off?

Not quite!

If you’ve read my post about whether handmade soap expires, you’ll know that soap can deteriorate over time.

The oils and fatty components in soap can gradually oxidise, potentially leading to rancidity and those dreaded orange spots that soapmakers know all too well. But that’s a different process from bacteria or mould multiplying in a product. Preservatives intended to control microbial growth aren’t the same as antioxidants, which can help slow oxidation.

So while my soap doesn’t require an added antimicrobial preservative, that doesn’t mean it will stay perfect forever.

Does it matter how you store your soap?

Absolutely! Keeping your bar on a draining dish, away from standing water, allows it to dry between uses. This helps it stay firm and last longer, and avoids leaving it sitting in a persistently damp environment.

And just because a bar doesn’t need an added preservative doesn’t mean hygiene isn’t important. Proper manufacturing procedures, suitable ingredients and correct storage still matter.

Different soap formulations can also have different microbiological risks, particularly where unusual additives are involved, so preservation requirements need to be considered as part of the product’s cosmetic safety assessment.

So is preservative-free soap better?

Nooooo! And this is a point I come back to again and again. Preservatives have a REALLY important job to do in products that need them.

Preservatives have become something of a bogeyman in recent years, particularly in the beauty and skincare industry. They’ve been unfairly demonised, and the idea that ‘preservative-free’ automatically means ‘better’ has become a rather effective marketing tactic.

The irony is that most of us happily consume foods containing preservatives without giving them a second thought, yet there’s so much unnecessary fearmongering about their use in cosmetics. Personally, I’d much rather use a properly preserved cosmetic than one that was at risk of becoming contaminated simply because somebody wanted to advertise it as ‘preservative-free’.

Traditional cold process soap doesn’t need added antimicrobial preservatives simply because its own physical and chemical characteristics help prevent microbial growth. That’s not a marketing trick, and it’s not evidence that preservatives are bad.

It’s simply another interesting example of how different cosmetic products work. And another reason I find the chemistry of soapmaking so fascinating, even after all these years.

Vicki x

Let’s be honest, most of us have picked up a product, flipped it over to read the ingredients, and instantly regretted it. All those long, complicated names in teeny-tiny writing? Half of them sound like something you’d find in a science lab or a sci-fi novel, not in your shampoo or soap dish.

But here’s the thing: reading an ingredients list doesn’t have to make your eyes cross (unless it’s the font size!). And just because something sounds a bit sciencey doesn’t mean it’s dangerous or unnatural. So pop the kettle on, and let’s break it down together.

The Fancy Names Have a Reason

The most important thing to know? Ingredients lists (if they’re compliant) use something called INCI names (short for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients). These are standardized, internationally recognized names used across the industry so that no matter where you are in the world, you know exactly what’s in your product.

That’s why you’ll often see “Sodium Chloride” instead of just “salt,” or “Butyrospermum Parkii” instead of “shea butter.”

As far as ingredients lists go, Latin is most definitely not dead. Botanical ingredients are usually listed using their Latin binomial nomenclature, indicating the plant genus and species (e.g., Lavandula angustifolia for lavender). This is often followed by the part of the plant used and the preparation method (e.g., “Oil,” “Extract”).

Synthetic or processed ingredients are named using standardized chemical terminology, which may differ from their common names. For instance, “Tocopherol” refers to Vitamin E.

Fragrances are often listed collectively as “Parfum” or “Aroma.” This is because the exact formula of a fragrance can be classed as proprietary. However, specific allergens within fragrances must be individually listed if they exceed certain concentrations.

This is why you might notice a section at the very end of the ingredients list with names like linalool, limonene, or citral. These are specific compounds found in both essential and fragrance oils, and by law, they must be listed separately because some people can be sensitive to them. They’re not added in as extra ingredients, and many occur naturally in things like citrus oils, lavender, or peppermint. So unless you know you’re allergic, there’s absolutely no need to be concerned.

Order Matters

Ingredients are listed in order of quantity. The ingredient with the highest percentage always comes first, and the smallest amount comes last (unless it’s under 1%, in which case the order gets a bit looser). If a “Rose & Geranium Soap” lists rose oil right at the end? That’s your clue it’s more of a whisper than a bouquet. Colours usually come very close to the end and are generally indicated by their Colour Index (or ‘CI’) number, and then lastly come the potential allergens that are present in the product.

Additional Sources

If you ever want to understand an ingredients list a little better, a quick Google is often helpful, but if you want to dig a little deeper, the following websites are useful:

• INCIDecoder: Provides detailed information on cosmetic ingredients, including their functions and safety profiles.
• Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR): An independent panel that assesses the safety of cosmetic ingredients.
• Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Database: Offers hazard ratings for cosmetic ingredients based on available scientific literature.

Remember – Chemicals Are Not Inherently Bad!

In my last blog post, I bemoaned the ‘chemical-free’ claims that seem to be everywhere at the moment. So I’ll say it again: everything is made of chemicals. Water is a chemical. Oxygen is a chemical. Your favourite apple, your pet dog, your nan – they’re all made of chemicals.

When any product claims to be “chemical-free,” it’s… well… completely and totally factually incorrect. Every single time. What we should be focusing on is whether the ingredients are safe, effective, and used in skin-kind amounts (and not worrying about whether they sound like something from GCSE Chemistry).

Always remember too that if you’re buying/using any type of hygiene or cosmetic product manufactured in the UK or the EU, that product must legally have been thoroughly assessed and approved by a chemist qualified to make that assessment, and it will (should*) be covered by a legally binding Cosmetic Product Safety Report. That way, you can rest assured that all ingredients in your product are safe.

Ingredients lists can seem intimidating, but they’re really just a tool to help you make informed choices, and the links I’ve provided above can give you more info on individual ingredients should you feel you need it.

Finally, one of the brilliant things about buying from small, independent makers is that we want to talk to you. I will happily natter on about soap ingredients all day (possibly longer if you offer me a biscuit). If you’re ever unsure about what something means, just pop me a message or drop a comment. No jargon, no judgement.

*Unfortunately, there are still products available for sale which have clearly not been through the assessment process. If you’re ever in any doubt, it’s okay to ask!

It’s been a productive week, with four big wins to shout about.

I finally made the Spring Specials, having intended to get them done last week (release date still be be decided, but March sometime). I may make some more – so far I have 50 of each and now I’m doubting myself and cosidering making another 50 of each like I did last year. Sales are down, people have less money to spend on luxuries like handmade soap, but I don’t want to regret NOT making more. I suspect I’ll make more 😉

Here’s one in the mould:

And another (Sakura – Cherry Blossom) freshly cut:

The second big win was, miracle of miracles, finally setting up my mailing list. It’s been on my to-do list for literally years. Social media is great but not always reliable for getting information out to the customer – reach seems to be decreasing all the time – and so being able to email customers directly is becoming more and more important.

Everyone signing up to the newsletter will receive a 20% dicount code for the website, and you can unsubscribe at any time – just click here to subscribe.

Thirdly, I got my tax return done, woo-hoo! I always say I’ll get it done WAY before the 31st Jan deadline, but never seem to manage to get it done before Christmas. Next year will be different. I’ve set myself a goal to get it done before the end of July. To (hopefully!) facilitate that I’ve committed to do accounts and paperwork every Friday morning. It’s in the diary and everything! I did consider just putting it in the diary once a month and do a whole month’s worth in one go, but it’s proving to be far quicker and less daunting to do a week’s worth at a time, and so I’m far more likely to stick to it.

Last in my list of successes this week is getting another category of the website updated with new photographs. The haircare category has now been completely re-shot on a white background – much better no?

A busy week coming up – lots more soap to make and more new photographs to take, so there should be plenty to share in next weeks round up post. I’ll be back!

Back in August I was contacted by Blossom Oils and asked whether I would be interested in testing some of their fragrance oils in return for feedback. I didn’t need to think about it for long – I don’t often get the opportunity to experiment and play with fragrances these days. There are a few reasons for this.  Firstly, I have a core range of fragrances which I have to keep in stock for my wholesale customers – it would be way too confusing and time consuming to keep switching out fragrances. Secondly, fragrance oils are expensive, and especially so when buying in small quantities to trial.  I bulk-buy my fragrance oils for the core range to keep costs to a minimum.  Thirdly, there’s always a risk involved in trying a new fragrance oil – it might accelerate trace (soap on a stick anyone?), it might discolour, and there’s always the chance that you just might not like the smell. Years ago I bought a dupe of Lush’s Karma fragrance and OMG it was vile. Horrible. I can still remember it. I really wish I couldn’t….

Anyway, I digress.  I happily accepted their kind offer, and received eight, EIGHT!!! samples of fragrance oils in the post very soon after:

Oooh the joys of new fragrances to sniff.  Anyone else an inveterate sniffer?  I can’t help myself.  Shampoos, perfumes, and of course, fragrance oils. I was in scenty heaven. Here’s what I was sent, in alphabetical order:

1. Amaretto Nog
2. Dove
3. FBomb  (Similar to Flower Bomb perfume)
4. Lavender
5. Opulence (Similar to Decadence perfume)
6. Sea Breeze & Mint (Similar to a men’s shower gel)
7. Warm Mulberry
8. Wild Berries

I had cheekily asked whether one of the samples could be FBomb as Flower Bomb is one of my favourite perfumes, and I also suggested that they include a Christmas fragrance or two.  Unfortunately their Christmas fragrances weren’t yet available, but they did send the Amaretto and Mulberry as options that could be considered ‘wintery’.

So. First thoughts, sniffing from the bottle:

1. The Amaretto was LOVELY, but then I do like a little glass of Amaretto over ice at Christmas.  Almondy and sweet, I really liked it.
2. Dove.  I’ll be honest, I thought this was a strange one to have included in the eight. I can’t bear Dove ‘so-called soap’. (It’s not soap, it’s a beauty bar, because they’re not allowed to call it soap. Rant over).  So anyway, the last thing I would choose to put into my soap is something that would make it smell like Dove. But in the interests of fairness and honesty, I’ll treat it like any other FO, and it DOES smell like Dove.
3. FBomb.  This definitely reminded me of the perfume straight out of the bottle. So far so good.
4. Lavender.  I usually use lavender essential oil for my lavender soap, and I found this fragrance to be slightly more ‘powdery’ and slightly sweeter than the EO.
5. Opulence.  This smells really  good out of the bottle. I’m not familiar with the original perfume, but this was lovely, a nice blend of floral and spice.
6. Sea Breeze and Mint. Again, I’m not familiar with the inspiration for this one, but it’s a nice unisex fragrance, and the mint definitely came through without taking over.
7. Warm Mulberry  Definitely warm, definitely fruity, a real winter scent.
8. Wild Berries. Another fruity fragrance, but ‘clearer’ than the previous one, juicy, sweet and berry-like.

Every single one was good out of the bottle. Even the Dove, which I would never choose to use, did in all fairness, smell of Dove.

So I made some soap.  I made a single batch of my regular recipe, with full water, because I wanted all the fragrances to be tested under exactly the same conditions, so it made sense to make all the testers out of the same base batch.

I added my chosen colourant to eight different containers, brought my batter just to emulsification, and then split it between the eight containers:

I gave them all a quick stir manually, then added 3% fragrance oil to the first jug.  I gave it a thorough stir, made sure it was traced, then poured it into the mould. I did exactly the same with the other seven fragrances.

The testers are the ones with letters above them, just in case I forgot which was which. Ignore the bottom four on the right hand side, they’re leftovers…

The Sea Breeze & Mint (blue one above) caused some acceleration, but not too much, and the Lavender (lavender one above) caused slight acceleration. That surprised me somewhat as, although florals are known to cause acceleration, if anything I find that Lavender essential oil inhibits trace. But it really was only slight acceleration.  None of the other FO’s caused noticeable acceleration, which was pretty impressive.

They were unmoulded after 36 hours, and this photo was taken a couple of weeks later:

It was around this time that I realised that I’d made a mistake by using colourants as it’s much harder to tell what discolouration is going on if the soap is already coloured. Regardless, it seems to me that only one of the fragrances caused any discolouration at all, and that was the Amaretto Nog.  To be fair, the fragrance description  is “A creamy blend of almond and vanilla”  and any fragrance containing vanilla is guaranteed to cause discolouration, so it was only to be expected.

So the big question. How do they smell after a few weeks cure time? Here’s my thoughts:

1. Amaretto Nog. This smells lovely, but it no longer smells, to me at least, of amaretto.  The almond aspect seems to have faded but it’s still a warm fragrance with vanilla notes and I would definitely use it again.
2. Dove. This smells exactly how I remember Dove smelling!  A strong, fresh soapy smell which will please any Dove lover.
3. FBomb. This still reminds me of the designer fragrance on which it’s based.  It’s not identical (which would be pretty impossible anyway) but similar enough to be recognisable I think. I’m looking forward to using my tester in the shower! Interestingly this was my husband’s favourite (in blind testing)
4. Lavender. Oddly this no longer smells of lavender at all to me. It’s a floraly fragrance, less powdery than it was out of the bottle, but definitely not lavender. I asked a couple of other people what they thought it smelled like, and nobody got lavender.
5. Opulence.  I’m not familiar with the perfume on which this is based, but I did like this one. It’s quite a complex fruity/floral fragrance with notes of something more spicy too.
6. Sea Breeze and Mint.  This is a more masculine fragrance, with definite sea-side / ozone-y overtones. I don’t get much mint, but I’m not familiar with the original shower gel so perhaps it’s exactly how it should be. To me it smells a bit synthetic – not one of my favourites.
7. Warm Mulberry.  I was surprised to discover that this is probably my favourite of the lot.  It’s not one I would have necessarily chosen from the description (fruits with vanilla) but it’s delicious. It is fruity, but it has a warmth and a depth to it which is hard to describe.  I used a fairly dark colour for this one, so didn’t notice any discolouration, but it might discolour in a white/light coloured bar.
8. Wild Berries.  Last, but definitely not least, comes Wild Berries. This was my husband’s second favourite after FBomb, and I really like it too. It’s a juicy, fruity uncomplicated fragrance, and would make a really nice smelling bar of soap.

Out of the eight there are at least four that I would definitely consider buying when I need a new fragrance for my range, and another two that I like but probably wouldn’t get round to purchasing.  There were only two that I wasn’t particularly keen on, which I think is a pretty good percentage given that everyone’s tastes are different and it was the luck of the draw what I received.

I’d like to say thank you to Blossom Oils for giving me the opportunity to sample some of their fragrances. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to try some new and different fragrance oils. Their website is easy to navigate, and provides you with all of the technical data required (MSDS, IFRA certs and allergen declarations) if you sell your products. Oh, and they’re suitable for candles / wax melts too!

Check out the Blossom Oils website and find them on Facebook and Instagram too

Happy Easter everyone, I hope you’re having a fabulous weekend. I didn’t post last week as I didn’t get round to making ANY soap at all (gasp!), but I’ll be back to the usual routine tonight / tomorrow with a weekly update…

In the meantime I just wanted to let you know about a giveaway I’m holding over on Twitter to celebrate the launch of this new three large bomb set. Just follow me and RT the competition post to be in with a chance of winning – easy peasy!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Vicki