In many bathrooms, the green or beige block sits proudly near the sink. Natural, multi-use, the Savon de Marseille reassures, especially when it bears the seal of traditional soapmakers. The Union of Professionals of Marseille Soap describes it as “a hard and homogeneous soap.” Yet, for some, it ends up as a soft paste that disappears before your eyes.
The gap rarely comes from the soap itself, but almost always from the way it is allowed to dry, or not, between two washes under water. High ambient humidity, a full soap dish, a shower spray that continually splashes, transform a cube into soft soap. According to the Nyons Soap Factory, a 300 g cube can last 4 to 8 weeks; it all depends on the conditions.
The drying, the key gesture to preserve a Marseille soap cube
All the soap makers questioned point to the same culprit: prolonged humidity. Le Château du Bois notes that it isn’t the use that harms the soap, but the fact of leaving it soaking in water or on a damp surface between two washes. To do it properly, the cube should be able to dry almost completely, both top and bottom, before the next shower.
Concretely, this drying begins as soon as you set the soap down. Manufacturers, like Briochin, indicate on their labels that the cube must be kept dry between two uses. This means a quick rinse to remove the foam, a light shake to dispel the excess water, then placing it on a support that allows water to drain away. If the underside remains soaked, the soap will inevitably soften.
Choosing a draining soap dish to extend the life of the cube
The choice of support changes everything. A good draining soap dish features holes or grooves, sometimes a grid, that slightly elevate the cube and let air circulate. The Savonnerie du Roussillon estimates that a soap placed on a well-aired support can last up to about 50% longer than a soap that sits in water. Wood, perforated ceramic, or stainless steel, it doesn’t matter, as long as the water drains away.
Conversely, some supports literally melt the soap. Bowls without holes, bathtub rims where a little water always pools, or boxes closed immediately after use keep the cube in a perpetual bath. To avoid these pitfalls, keep in mind three very simple mistakes to banish:
- placing the cube in a saucer full of water;
- leaving the soap dish directly under the shower jet;
- closing a box or a sachet before the soap is dry.
Placement, slicing, and storage of the Marseille soap cube
The best soap dish is of little use if it remains permanently under the spray. Experts in solid soap remind that a holder placed away from splashes, on a shelf or mounted high, allows drainage to occur much faster. In a very humid bathroom, some soap makers even advise alternating two soaps: while one is in use, the other dries completely, then you swap. Under these ideal conditions, a 300 g cube easily lasts several weeks, sometimes 4 to 8 depending on how often it is used.
Another tip to better preserve a Marseille soap cube is to cut it into slices. Only one piece is exposed to moisture; the others stay dry in a cupboard, away from heat and direct light. Many also appreciate magnetic soap dishes, which let the soap hang, or sisal nets and bags, convenient for using up the ends without wasting anything.
