Author: wheelershillsoaps

This is what is called ‘soap sweating’ or a ‘glycerine dew’. The beads of sweat or wet stuff is actually the highly desirable glycerine dew and a sign of a quality natural soap.

What is actually happening, is that the natural glycerine that exists within the oils used to make soap, attracts moisture from the air in times of high humidity. When humidity is low, soap actually loses water and is dry to the touch. Soap sweating occurs only when humidity is high (moisture in the air).

Is Glycerin good?

Glycerine is the magic ingredient in our natural handmade soaps that is a humectant that helps to keep our skin hydrated.  Commercially produced supermarket soap has had its glycerine removed, so while it doesn’t really sweat it also helps explain why your skin feels dry and itchy.

What should I do if my soap is sweating?

• Immediately upon noticing the sweating you can wipe the watery substance away from the soap with a paper towel or similar. The soap itself is not damaged in any way and will dry out again when the air dries. This is the time to ensure that your remaining supply is protected from the ambient moisture.
• In high humid regions, place your soap in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry cupboard or space. Traditionally soap is cured open to the air and in dry conditions this is what we’d also recommend but at times of high humidity we need to stop moisture build up so a sealed container is the best option.
• When using your soap, ensure you use a soap dish to lift your soap out of water and keep away from moisture to dry out during the day. We do our bit by ensuring your bars are formulated for hardness and longevity, so simple strategies like ensuring good drainage mean you’ll get great value from our soaps.

My journey began making soap for my son’s troubles with teenage acne that was almost 12 years ago, and we were living in the suburbs of Wheelers Hill in Melbourne. Today, I am living on land that is 30 minutes away from any conveniences in rural Victoria. The one common theme is that I still make soap and instead of living in Wheelers Hill and now I overlook a hill called Wheelers Hill. How freaky is that, or was it an omen?

So why did we move? We always wanted to live in the country, that had been our long-term goal. The need to work, have a family, and travel enabled and distracted us with journeys and experiences from all over the world before we finally were able to realise it.

These years of travel, experiences and journeys cemented our original beliefs and desires to live on the land and to live more sustainably.

Covid became the antagonist that kick-started the process, and it proved to be an interesting time. It forced our busy lives to become simpler, it confined us and slowed us down, encouraged us to walk with nature, reignite and learn new hobbies and skills, eat at the table as a family, and engage in long conversations. It quietened the busyness of our everyday lives. It allowed me to re-focus and re-evaluate.

As a result, we sold up in the city and bought land in regional Victoria. Three years later, we live with 140 cows and each morning, we lead them into grassy paddocks. There’s something undeniably soothing about the rhythm of country life and the gentle presence of animals like cows. Their calm nature can offer a much-needed contrast to the chaos of city life. It’s a reminder of how slowing down and connecting with simpler activities can help us reconnect with what truly matters.

Making soap has continued throughout this time, and we now have a dedicated reclaimed bespoke barn where our soap-making activities continue in our new rural location, allowing us to use natural ingredients, often grown or found nearby.