Best Soap Holders to Make Your Natural Soap Last Longer

Whether you are a bar soap enthusiast or a newcomer discovering the beauty of natural skincare at your local markets, one thing is certain: nobody likes a mushy bar of soap, especially when a simple soap holder for bar soap can make it last much longer.

As more and more of us are ditching plastic bottles for artisanal bars, we often overlook one crucial detail: a great soap deserves a great "partner in crime": the right soap holder. I received several times at Berlin local markets feedback from returning clients, that the soap was behaving fantastically the first days, but that it was not lasting longer than others. This is how the idea came to include in my collection some top-tiers soap holders.

How do I make my bar last as long as possible?

We have compared for you several main soap holder types on the market to help you find the perfect match for your bathroom and priorities.

The Science of a Dry Bar: How Soap Holders Make Your Soap Last Longer

To establish our best soap holders ranking, we evaluated every design against six critical performance points:

1. Drainage efficiency: How fast water is channeled away.

2. Airflow: Can the bar "breathe" with 360-degree circulation?

3. Minimal surface contact: Fewer touchpoints = faster drying.

4. Design: Does it elevate your bathroom interior?

5. Maintenance & hygiene: How easy is it to clean soap scum?

6. Sustainability & durability: Responsibly sourced materials that last.

We set price aside, as it can vary a lot for the same kind of soap dish. Let's have a look at our ranking, from the elite "soap-lifters" to the "soap-killers."

Disclaimer: The following rating of different soap holders is based solely on my personal, honest opinion. This article is not paid or external advertising for any of the soap holders mentioned. I have personally owned and tested most of the types of soap holders compared here. The assessments reflect my own experience after years of making and using our soaps.

1. Soap Lifters: Best Soap Holders for Maximum Bar Soap Longevity

These are the ‘anti‑gravity’ champions of the soap world and some of the best soap holders for natural bar soap. By suspending the bar in mid-air, they provide 360° ventilation. If you want your babassu soap to last 2-3 times as long, these are your best investments.

• Floating Wall Magnet A sleek, minimalist metal arm that mounts to the wall. A small magnetic disc is pressed into the soap, allowing it to "hover." It achieves near-perfect marks because the soap touches nothing but air. With 360° ventilation and no drainage issues, it is one of the ultimate options for design and longevity. The only drawback is its higher price point.

• Soapi (shop it here in different colors) A colorful, circular magnetic holder made from recycled fishing nets and ropes that sticks directly to bathroom or kitchen tiles or the sink. It sticks to your tiles and offers the best airflow. This is our top-tier choice because it aligns perfectly with our brand philosophy. We also dedicated a special article to it.

• Magnetized Suction Cup A portable version of the magnetic lifter using a suction cup to attach to sinks or showers, instead of a long-lasting sticker. It shares the airflow benefits of the others but loses a few points on sustainability and design, as suction cups can lose their grip over time and lack the premium feel of fixed mounts.

The Verdict

Engineered for maximum longevity. These near-zero-contact holders are the most hygienic way to keep soap solid. Pro tip: When switching bars, soak the metallic cap in water for a few hours to easily remove any residue from the previous bar.

2. Drying Champs: Countertop Soap Dishes with Good Drainage and Airflow

Where aesthetics meet moisture management. Perfect for those who prefer a traditional look without sacrificing too much soap life.

• Grooved Concrete Block A heavy, architectural piece with deep, wide channels. It’s a "durability" king. The deep grooves ensure the soap stays high above any moisture, and the material is virtually indestructible.
  

• Wavy Drainage Cradle A silicone or resin holder shaped like a continuous wave. It minimizes surface contact perfectly, a design favorite and incredibly easy to clean.

• Lattice Drainage Dish A glass or ceramic dish made of intersecting bars. It offers good drainage. However, it loses points on maintenance because soap "goo" can build up in the many small corners of the lattice.

• Natural Fiber Pad / Loofah A porous slice of loofah or a multi-layered BPA-free plastic mesh pad. These are drainage powerhouses. While the synthetic version is easier to clean, the natural version wins on sustainability and design, but needs to be replaced more often.
  

• Slotted Stone Tray A classic stone or marble dish with carved slats for water to pass through. It’s a beautiful, heavy-duty option. The score is slightly lower because stone can hold moisture longer than silicone, requiring more frequent rinsing. Also, soap residue tends to accumulate in the numerous corners, requiring a more frequent maintenance.

• Wooden Ridge Plank (shop it here)

A simple, slanted wooden board with ridges. A classic natural option that looks perfect in any bathroom. Wood is prone to mold if it doesn't dry out between uses properly. Applying a waterproofing treatment periodically, once the wood is fully dry, significantly increases its longevity. We are having this kind of soap holder in our shop, made out of FSC sourced wood.

The Verdict

Where aesthetic design meets moisture management. These holders use wavy or slatted surfaces to create essential air gaps, allowing water to escape while maintaining the bar's structural integrity.

3. Puddle Makers: Soap Dishes to Avoid If You Want Your Bar Soap to Last

These options look great in a curated bathroom but can shorten the life of your bar soap. They may require more "babysitting" to keep the soap from getting soft.

• Lattice Tray with Storage

  A wooden grid sitting inside a ceramic or plastic catch-basin. It keeps the counter clean, but the "storage" tray underneath often traps humid air, slowing down the drying process for the bottom of the bar, which can also encourage mold growth if not cleaned regularly.

  
  

• Upright Soap Container A narrow, deep vessel where the soap stands on its side. Can be cute but there is a lack of airflow at the bottom, meaning the base of the soap often stays mushy. Depending on the width, it can be tricky to fully clean.

  
  

• Funnel Soap Tray A tray with a "spout" designed to drain water into the sink. Great in theory, but the high surface contact area means the soap often sticks to the dish like glue. Adding a slight inclination helps drainage if it is not already part of the design, but it remains impractical overall.

  
  

• Sisal Fiber Bag

  A woven pouch used for both storage and exfoliation. While great for using up scraps, the fibers stay damp for hours. This constant moisture is the enemy of a fresh bar of soap. The soap tends to get stuck within the fabric and it becomes hard to clean. For some reason, this product is widely available and popular.

  
  

• Perforated Flat Dish

  The classic. A flat ceramic plate with one or several few small holes in the center. The holes are usually too small to provide airflow, and the flat surface creates a suction effect that makes the soap hard to pick up.

The Verdict

Ideal for aesthetic coordination but less efficient for soap longevity. These holders limit airflow and increase contact, so you’ll need to clear puddles more often.

4. Soap Holders That Ruin Bar Soap (Soap Killers)

We’re not sure who first designed these, but they seem clearly inspired by liquid‑soap users, not bar‑soap lovers. If your soap holder doesn't have a hole, a slope, or any real way for water to escape, it is a Soap Killer. These are strictly decorative and should be avoided if you value your artisanal bars.

• Shallow Stone Basin

  A solid stone bowl with no drainage. It scores well on design and durability because it's a beautiful object, but as a soap holder, it’s a failure. The soap sits in a pool of water until it melts. If you are using one of those take extra care to remove as much as possible of water before putting it back on the tray (by shaking it up to down a couple times)
  

• Shallow Ridged Tray

  A plastic or ceramic tray with very low internal ridges. These aren't high enough to lift the soap out of the water, and the lack of a drainage hole means the soap stays perpetually damp.

  
  

• Fixed Wall Basin

  The classic hotel-style chrome and glass dish. These are notorious for collecting "soap soup." They provide low airflow and are usually positioned right under the showerhead, leading to the fastest soap erosion possible.

The Verdict

Useless for bar longevity. These holders provide no ventilation, leading to a "suction effect" where the soap sticks permanently to the dish. Best avoided if you want your soap to last more than a few days.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right holder is the best way to honor the craft behind every bar of natural soap. Whether you’re at a Berlin market or shopping online, look for airflow first and beauty second, your soap (and your wallet) will thank you.

Ready to upgrade your bathroom? Check out our Full Shop to find bars that deserve a high-ranking home.