Lilac Goat Milk Soap
Products that are natural, and nearly natural, those that I craft, are a bit more sensitive to heat and cold. Why? They do not contain additives that hold the product at the same consistency regardless of temperature.
Take goat milk lotion, for example, if the lotion itself heats up to 100 degrees it will become slightly thinner. Once the lotion returns to room temperature (75-80 degrees) it returns to its normal consistency, creamy, not too thick, definitely not thin.
Do not leave the goat milk lotion in your car. The temperatures in a car are far too extreme for a natural product.
Upon arrival, during the warmer months (and extreme cold), allow a lotion or cream type of product to reach room temperature once you receive it in shipment. You will shortly find a product in its natural state, as it should be.
A natural bar of soap also comes with special care. You know, you probably can set a bar of Zest (sorry folks) on a bathroom shelf indefinitely. It would not matter if the temperature was 101 degrees, nor would the humidity at 98 % make a difference, the soap would not sweat. Some natural bars will sweat. Keep this in mind if you do not have air conditioning to regulate the temperature and humidity. A bar that fits into this example perfectly is my spa salt bar. I have seen a salt bar sweat in my bathroom, before we cranked up the A/C! I have no problems with my soap melting, unless it is sitting in a puddle of water. If the soap is made from inexpensive melt and pour bases (not the method that I use), you may experience problems with soap melting away in higher temperatures.
Use your best judgment…I would not say the products are perishable, but use good judgment with their storage. They do not require kid gloves, but they do require a tiny bit of TLC when it comes to storage. A good handcrafted soap or lotion can remain “fresh” for at least a year, and honestly, I have some for my own personal use that are older.
By the way, I cut the bars of soaps (in the photo) today. They are swirled (just on top) with a light violet. The color in the photo does the soap no justice…they are interesting and beautiful. They will be a part of the “25” soaps that I carry, lilac goat milk soap is on that list.
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
Good info today and yesterday about the dairy goat tips. Thx
Yes, good info. And my beeswax hand bars that I made– they melt in vehicles. Winter storage is fine. 🙂
I still have goats’ milk soap I made years ago, and I mean YEARS ago, that is in perfect shape and scent..probably because when I made the soap I cured it in a box in the dark closet of my craft room which is a warm, dry room . I don’t make soap anymore so have used my homemade stuff sparingly…and the soap seems to get better with age.
I guess home made soaps in comparison with the common soaps in the stores is like home made cakes and Twinkies…
Hi Annie,
I am doing a lotion making demo at the CNY Soapmakers Gathering 7/25/09 and have been asked about goat’s milk lotion. Can you email me to let me know how long the shelf life is. I have only used soy milk & coconut milk and really like it. Goat’s milk sounds absolutely heavenly and I want to give it a try.
Just beautiful, Mary. A work of art, as usual. And thanks for the storage tips. Luckily, we in Florida are AC friendly. Either that or die of heat stroke.
What are the new bars called?
Joanna, you are welcome. I enjoyed writing about the dairy doe purchases.
Delores, I emailed you! I tag my goat milk lotion with a “best used by date” of one year from the manufacturing date. But, I have seem the lotions last much longer when kept in favorable conditions.
Alix, there she is…glad you are feeling better. We have the A/C on in the back of the house this year. Getting too old to go without the air even in Ohio.
Kathy B., I agree, seems the soap just gets better with age. I have some soaps (not goat milk based) from 2004, still usable.
Lynnanne, your bars sound interesting. And I am emailing you as well regarding some of your prior questions.
[…] more shea butter information, here is my original shea butter article. And here is my article regarding product storage. Shea butter and other natural ingredients require room […]