# Soap Makers: why such large bars? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 10, 2024, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054 "2024-09-10T11:52:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/1 "2024-09-10T11:52:23Z")
I know two women who occasionally make soap and give me a bar now and then. I love the soaps, they smell amazingly good. _However_, I have always wondered why they make such huge bars. They are the size of bricks, making it awkward to use them in the shower for the first week or so. Is there a reason lot is it just how soap makers roll? [![](https://i.imgur.com/o008Gh6.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/o008Gh6.jpeg) This is a bar of soap after two weeks of daily use. Please forgive the nudity. [![](https://i.imgur.com/xlROXbZ.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/xlROXbZ.jpeg) This soap came in a cake box!! It’s the size of a freaking cake. Smells delicious but what do I do, cut it with a knife into small pieces?? ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/2 "2024-09-10T12:04:46Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > cut it with a knife into small pieces?? Yep, just cut a wedge. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/3 "2024-09-10T12:19:28Z")
Soap is often (typically? Except for purposely shrinkflated?) made and sold in big-ass bars that you have to carve yourself. I presume that is simply how they roll. I know at least one place where it’s sold by weight (and you can see the huge loaf the bars are cut from). [![](https://manufacture-la-cigogne.com/WebRoot/Store20/Shops/0097fb22-fa67-46cd-a1f1-817e7b2956e1/5457/F972/FB1C/0C0E/828C/0A48/354B/05E5/Savon_de_Marseille_600g_huile_olive_m.jpg) ](https://manufacture-la-cigogne.com/WebRoot/Store20/Shops/0097fb22-fa67-46cd-a1f1-817e7b2956e1/5457/F972/FB1C/0C0E/828C/0A48/354B/05E5/Savon_de_Marseille_600g_huile_olive_m.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/4 "2024-09-10T12:33:35Z")
Heh, guess I’m old fashioned. I buy Irish Spring via Amazon, a dozen regular bath size at a time. Never saw soap sold any other way. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/5 "2024-09-10T13:04:18Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > This is a bar of soap after two weeks of daily use. Please forgive the nudity. I was impressed with your ability to use up soap in such a geometrically intricate fashion until I realized this caption referred to the image above it. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/6 "2024-09-10T13:49:26Z")
Every once in a while, I’ll treat myself to one of those homemade soap bars. They do smell amazing. Besides being so big, the other issue I have is that the corners are sharp. The first week or so of using the bar is awkward. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/7 "2024-09-10T13:58:32Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > Every once in a while, I’ll treat myself to one of those homemade soap bars. Are you saying you purchase it? Where? I’ve only had large bars of soap as gifts from soap makers (bless them). ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/8 "2024-09-10T14:24:54Z")
FWIW, coincidentally I happened to buy a bar of cheap, as-far-from-handmade-as-it-gets mass-produced soap the other day. I have it here and can see that it was made in Russia and weighs 150 grams. Which you might describe as big-ass. On the other hand, a bar of evidently half as cheap Indian soap was only 75g, definitely “bath-sized”. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/9 "2024-09-10T15:09:19Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > weighs 150 grams. And it turns out a different place has 200g bars, so I still got ripped off. Not that I will be going through that much soap anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/10 "2024-09-10T15:12:59Z")
Yep. Cut it smaller. You might find a new hobby. Soap carving. Fun times, fun times. (PS…save the carved pieces) ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/11 "2024-09-10T16:51:21Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > guess I’m old fashioned. I buy Irish Spring via Amazon, a dozen regular bath size at a time. I think that’s the reverse of old fashioned. Chunks cut off a large unwrapped or minimally wrapped bar bought at a farmers’ market or a brick-and-mortar are old fashioned. At least, in the sense that they pre-date buying Irish Spring via Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/12 "2024-09-10T16:52:38Z")
I see your point, but the idea of buying big chunks of soap is apparently making a comeback. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/13 "2024-09-10T17:18:05Z")
I used to make, and sell, soap, and my bars ended up being just under 6 oz and measured 1" x 3.5" x ~2" (IIRC). My customers liked them that size. The size of the bars really depend on the predilections of the manufacturer, and what their customers like. (Usually) ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/14 "2024-09-10T17:48:39Z")
The Giant Eagle stores sell Zum goat milk soap. Even though I normally avoid the cosmetic aisle because of the overwhelming scent these smell really nice. All different mixed colors and scents. Various sized bars some of which look like they are designed to snap apart. [https://www.facebook.com/ZumBarSoap/posts/every-zum-sprout-comes-to-life-at-the-zum-factory-in-kc-but-gorgeous-gardens-of-/10157190967146213/](https://www.facebook.com/ZumBarSoap/posts/every-zum-sprout-comes-to-life-at-the-zum-factory-in-kc-but-gorgeous-gardens-of-/10157190967146213/) ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/15 "2024-09-10T18:22:43Z")
Oh wow! That is some monstrous soap. I would not feel safe cutting something like that cake lol. I have received some larger bars of interesting soap as gifts and I do like them. But my favorite is the Dollar Tree Shugar Soapworks. They are lightly scented, lather well and last forever. Will keep buying them as long as they are stocked. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/16 "2024-09-10T21:25:01Z")
I’m not a soapmaker, but I’ve done some looking into the practice. Basically what you do is combine oils, water, and lye along with whatever colorants and fragrance you want, at a certain temperature, and you mix it well. Then you have to pour this thick mixture into some kind of mold(s), let it set, and then cut it and let it cure/dry for a couple of months. I suspect that large bars are a consequence of the molds being large, and people not wanting to cut a zillion small bars for aging, rather than a smaller number of larger ones. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/17 "2024-09-10T22:08:13Z")
I use reg’lar store-bought soap (the stuff like Dial, Coast, Zest, Irish Spring, etc.) and, if anything, I wish the bars were larger, so they’d last longer. But then, I have fairly large hands. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/18 "2024-09-10T22:12:50Z")
You’d find the homemade soap lasts like forever. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/19 "2024-09-10T22:25:47Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > The Giant Eagle stores sell Zum goat milk soap. Even though I normally avoid the cosmetic aisle Never been in the cosmetics aisle. I’ve been in the feminine hygiene aisle, but only faced the side of the aisle where what I needed was located. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2024, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054/20 "2024-09-10T23:19:45Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > You’d find the homemade soap lasts like forever. True; much of it does. Consider that when you notice the prices. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soap-makers-why-such-large-bars/1007054.md?page=2)