Which soap dish works the best?

Oh yeah, I’ve heard this one a bunch. Standing over the pile of soap dishes, picking up one, then another, turning it over, staring at the bottom, holding it up, looking some more. Then turning to me, completely bewildered as to which one to buy, they ask, “which one is the best?” – hoping that I will stop the madness and just hand over the perfect one. It’s not hard. And basically they all work the same. But I don’t know where you keep your soap, so we have to do a little back and forth. I’ll cut the guessing game short and cover all the basics here.

Why this kind of dish

I have two styles on the web site, but often have one or two more styles at any given show. All of the dishes are either draining, with slats or holes, or ridged, allowing the soap to dry out between uses. This is helpful in adding longevity to your soap bar. Kind of obvious, but soap sitting in water tends to get soggy, slimy and melt more quickly.  Nobody wants to grab that mucky pile of goo to clean up with. So little cupped dishes or bowls that hold water are not the best place to store your soap at the side of the sink, or in the shower.  Look for something that allows the water to drain out, or holds your bar up and out of any little puddles. My soap bars are hard, and they last approximately three times longer than commercial soaps, but still – if you’re going to pay a little extra for the soap, you want to get the most out of it, amiright?

What it’s made of

These are made of beechwood, which is a pretty darn tough wood, used for furniture and flooring too, similar to oak. It’s attractive in that natural, organic, non-fussy way that we’re pretty fond of here in the Pacific Northwest. It won’t break like a glass or ceramic dish, becoming dangerous in a wet, slippery bathroom. And contrary to expectation, it really will last a long time too. They are all coated with a tough, durable poly finish, making it waterproof and resistant to mold, mildew and fungus. They are easily cleaned of excess soap residue with a little warm water. No, they will not last forever (nothing does). Yes, wood will eventually break down in a wet environment. But we’re talking years, not weeks. And at the super cheap price of $4 each, can be easily replaced when your old one begins to look a little tired.

How to choose which one

When it's time to pick a new soap dish for yourself,  there are a couple of factors to consider. First, size. Lots of people seem to be looking for something to set the soap on inside a little built in compartment in their shower wall. I guess you need to eyeball that. If your space is more open, then size isn't an issue, but where it is located and who is using it makes a bigger difference.

Tub sides, shower shelves and countertops are different spaces for dishes. If you have issues with water draining through the bottom onto a surface, then choose the ridged style instead of the ones with holes or slats. You know your own family best – if there’s usually a lot of water splashing, suds ahoy, and you want to keep your counters less messy, take this into account. All of them will work well, so consider your own cleaning preferences, your family’s habits, the surface you are placing it on, and it will be clear (hopefully) which one will suit you best. And if you still have questions, I can still talk you through it, just give me a holler.

Need a new soap dish?  Head over HERE.