What is tallow?
For those of you that have read our previous blogs on tallow or aren’t familiar with tallow in general, pasture-based tallow is made by rendering suet. Beef suet is the fat found around cow’s loins and kidneys. It is rendered by melting the suet over low heat, straining out any solid pieces. Once it is cooled, it is considered rendered tallow.
Tallow is used for a variety of things, including cooking, beauty, skincare, and more. We specialize in tallow soaps and balms at The Healthy Porcupine because we find them to be a healthy and more sustainable option than traditional palm oil soaps and balms.
How long do tallow soaps last?
One of the benefits of tallow soaps is that a well-made bar can last a long time. We recommend using our soaps and balms within one year. The shelf life of tallow soaps depends primarily on their ingredients. For example, we make our soaps with olive oil which has a much longer shelf life than other oils like grapeseed or palm oil. Similarly, some essential oils (if you’re using a scented soap or balm) may have a one to two-year shelf life depending on the extract. Ultimately, you would want to go by the soap artisan's specific instructions for their product and recommend checking the shelf life of any essential oils used in the soaps or balms your purchase.
How can I make my tallow soap last longer?
How you store your soap plays a huge part in its shelf life. When considering what you can do to make your soaps and balms last longer, we recommend first looking at the conditions in which you store your products. Specifically, it is best to keep your soap in a dry, cool place that is not in direct sunlight. However, many people store their soap and skincare in their bathrooms; this is typically not suggested. Due to the high humidity that comes from your shower, storing soaps and balms that aren’t in use in the bathroom can reduce their overall shelf life. Another important note, unlike tallow used for cooking, soaps made from tallow need to be stored in a place with air circulation to reduce the chances of oxidation. Finally, it would be best to store your soaps and balms in a temperature-controlled area, like your bedroom or a closet, to avoid temperature changes affecting the soap.
Does your new packaging help extend shelf life?
Our new packaging is made out of 100% recyclable materials, and it is a box that will allow the soaps to “breathe” while protecting them. This new packaging will make it much easier for you to store your soaps. Instead of worrying about putting them in a box or a light cloth, you can simply put them on a shelf in a temperature-controlled area. This should keep your Healthy Porcupine soaps good for about one year.
Tips for Stocking Up and Storing Soaps
Store your soaps away from humidity and direct sunlight.
Store your soaps in an area with a regulated temperature.
Don’t store your soaps in an airtight container.
When stacking soaps on a shelf or in a cabinet, leave space between the soaps and other items to allow air circulation.
Make a note of when you received your soaps and mark the recommended use-by date.
Organize your soaps with essential oil to protect the scent and track shelf life.
You can always tell if the soap has gone bad, if it has a rancid smell, or is unusually sticky.
You can still use the soap if it has orange spots (you can cut them out), but we recommend double-checking to confirm there is no smell.
Overall, tallow soaps will last you quite some time, but it is important to take note of these tips and store your soap properly for maximum shelf life. Enjoy!
