PROPER STORAGE

During the rainy season, when humidity level is high, my handmade soaps tend to "sweat" more compared to when it's summer (quite the opposite from us, actually). And while they're still in their clear wraps, the moisture can get locked in. So what's the best way to store BY NATURE Handmade Soaps?

Here are some tips:

• Store them in a cool, dry place like your cabinet or dresser drawer, and make sure that moisture does not develop.
• Warm places where the handmade soaps can continue to air dry is good, but avoid exposing them to direct sunlight.
• Avoid keeping them in humid places or areas where moisture formation is prevalent (most especially variants that contain honey).
• Place a few silica gel packs where they are stored to help absorb moisture.
  
• When in use, good ventilation will help the bars dry better.

The handmade soaps do not need to be in air conditioned rooms, though. As cited above, even warm places are okay as long as those places are not damp or humid. All my handmade soaps here with me (wrapped or unwrapped) are stored in a non-air conditioned room. When it rains, I make sure to close the windows to prevent moisture from entering the room. When it’s warm and sunny, I keep the windows open so the handmade soaps continue to air-dry.

ON MOLDS

Now, this portion will focus on molds because it's the most alarming to most people and is very common in a lot of households, especially during the rainy season. When we see molds growing on food, we throw them away. On the other hand, when we see molds growing on objects, we simply wipe the molds off. The occurrence of molds on both food and objects is caused by improper storage. In case molds do grow on my handmade soaps while still in their wrappers, immediately remove the packaging and wipe them off. Wash the bar thoroughly to remove any mold remnants, then let it air-dry. Molds come about when the weather starts getting humid or "too wet". The variants that can get molds on them are usually the ones with milk or oatmeal, especially if honey is included.

So here's what happened:

humidity = moisture in the air = handmade soaps "sweating" + milk/oatmeal = molds

Honey, being a humectant, helps absorb moisture from the air.  Given that milk and oatmeal are naturally susceptible to mold growth, and with the "sweaty" bars (having some moisture), it is the right condition for molds to thrive.  Another reason is that there are no chemical preservatives added in my handmade soaps to prevent mold growth.

Now, the key to mold control is moisture control. Good ventilation or air circulation also greatly improves storage conditions for BY NATURE Handmade Soaps. It is not whether it is cool or warm, but if the place is “kulob” and, at the same time, damp or humid, such are the best environments for molds to survive and grow. When I did my research, I learned that molds are present everywhere, even in the air. They’re like pollen that attach themselves to insects (or human clothes) or like dandelions that release spores into the air, waiting to land on a damp or moist surface where they can thrive and reproduce. Anyway, here are more tips for controlling mold growth in our homes:

• Dry out the house and fix any moisture problems in your home.
• Stop water leaks, repair leaky roofs and plumbing. Keep water away from concrete slabs and basement walls.
• Open windows and doors to increase air flow in your home, especially along the inside of exterior walls. Use a fan if there are no windows available.
• Make sure that warm air flows into all areas of the home. Move large objects a few inches away from the inside of exterior walls to increase air circulation.
• Install and use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
• Clean and dry water damaged carpets, clothing, bedding, and upholstered furniture within 24 to 48 hours, or consider removing and replacing damaged furnishings.
• Vacuum and clean your home regularly to remove mold spores.
• Check around your windows for signs of condensation and water droplets. Wipe them up right away so mold can’t start to grow.

Again, my handmade soaps do not contain chemical preservatives. I will stick to that (steering clear of chemical preservatives) for the sake and welfare of my users, and that includes my family. Lotions, creams, and other products that contain water may need various preservatives to prevent bacteria (or molds) from growing on them, but my handmade soaps are dry products so there’s really no need for such preservatives as long as they’re properly stored. Even the highest-quality bread will grow molds if the condition is right. Same with paper, paint, wood, wallpaper glue, textiles, etc. In fact, “indoor dusts may contain fibers, dead skin cells, and other organic matter that can serve as a food source for mold when adequate moisture is available.” With you, my users, informed, you now know what to do in case you encounter molds (but hopefully not) on any of my handmade soaps while they’re still kept in their wrappers. By the way, a dehumidifier will greatly help, too. I got this from Wikipedia:

A dehumidifier is a household appliance that reduces the level of humidity in air, usually for health reasons, as humid air can cause mold and mildew to grow inside homes, which has various health risks. Very high humidity levels are also unpleasant for human beings, can cause condensation and can make it hard to dry laundry or sleep.

ON MY HANDMADE SOAPS

For the third time, given that BY NATURE Handmade Soaps do not contain any chemical preservatives, the following may happen while they're still wrapped and exposed to conditions that will cause them to "sweat":

• The surface of the bar becomes a bit softer.  They harden once more when air dried well.
  
• They may develop a certain scent which is hard to describe, but this is very common with handmade soaps (don't worry, because they're still good and safe to use).  Once the outer layer is washed off, the regular scent should come back.
  
• Mold growth (especially those with milk or oatmeal and if in contact with the likes of paper when they "sweat").

So why do they "sweat" in the first place? If you're familiar with my handmade soaps (or have read about them), you'll know that they all have naturally-formed glycerin. Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture from the air. Other humectants are honey and olive oil. That is why you will see more “sweating” on variants that contain these ingredients.

By the way, just so you know, honey is a natural antibacterial itself. It’s the only food that will never expire (if it really is pure honey).  The honey I use is organic honey and has the best quality I’ve tried so far. I always find ways to continuously improve my handmade soaps through the ingredients I use, and honey happens to be one of them.

Oh, and another thing you should always remember about BY NATURE Handmade Soaps:

When you encounter them “sweating”, you know they’re just doing their job.

- Darlene del Mundo, the Maker

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