Teach Soap

I am wondering how people market their older soaps to move out the old inventory and make room for the new. At what age is a soap considered old inventory? Is a soap ever too old to market?

Thank you for your consideration.

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂

Face the facts: Most customers buy soap on one of two criteria. 1. Fragrance. 2. Appearance.

I judge mine the same way.....by the fragrance and appearance. If it still smells like it's supposed to, and the appearance hasn't changed, then it's good. It only gets milder in time. If there isn't any fungus or mold growing on it....it should still be good. I shrink wrap which holds the fragrance for a long time. I just recently discovered an orange-bergamot in the corner of a closet I was cleaning. After peeling away the shrink wrap, it still smelled great. It produced a nice, firm and rich lather and left my skin feeling good. This bar of soap was about 4 years old. Realistically, I give the old "ones & twosies" out as gifts or use them myself. I say, if it's still smells good and looks good then sell that puppy. IMHO

Thanks super soaper. I was reading about labeling requirements and dating and such and though there must be some time frame that is considered market standard. So it is subjective and very flexible!

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂

I have some soaps here that were made 20 years ago. The color has faded a bit, so has the fragrance, but they still make a fine soap.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

So 20 years and still marketable. Then I wonder why are dated bars in the future of the soap business?

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂

20 years.....wow. I don't think I've ever kept anything for that long. Maybe some photos but certainly not a consumable. Ok....I have a few good Italian vintages that are 20+ years. Just out of curiosity Soapbuddy; have you tried some of that 20 year old soap? I'll bet it softer than a baby's butt.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I try for a turn over of 6 to 9 months. But will keep unscented a year or more , no problem. Once a year I have a half price sale on stuff that isn't as pretty as Id like or scented soap thats a year old. Also I recycle some of my old or ugly soap. Nothing gets wasted here.

Thanks Linda I appreciate the information. Yes the left over parts can all be used one way or another. I just wondered about the age thing and appreciate your response. A year seems reasonable to me also for fragranced soaps.

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂

Also remember that you don't know how long a customer will keep your soap around before useing it. Thats why I try for the 6 to 9 months turn around. With unscented it really isn't an issue if they keep it for a couple of years.

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂

some FOs and EOs are better quality than others. Thats why it's best to find a good supplier and stick with them.

Since completing my second batch of soap, I have new thoughts about the process and about my marketing question on age of a soap, and what is marketable.

What prompted my question was some, for me high end soaps, I purchased. If I'm going to do soap I want to do it quality or not at all. Interestingly the soaps had dates on their packaging, so curious to me some were 2 years old if you could believe the stamps.

Well if I were to do more than hobby soaping, I would put the use date on every bar, that is the date 4 to 6 weeks out from batch date for the curing of the CP soaps. That way you would know when they were good to go!

I have also purchased in the past loaves of soap cut and dried them myself. That was a learning experience, not like a loaf of bread! Cut packaged and given as gifts, or used for charity events.

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂

Regarding use by/before dates: Try this one...

USE BEFORE: "You start to smell bad"

That otta fix 'em

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.