Moldy Soap: Everything You Need to Know

Ever wondered where you just happen to see some mold accumulation in your house without even knowing what the cause is? Molds can become really problematic, especially if they begin to grow not just on food but even on your soap and other bathing products. No matter how weird it may seem, molds can actually grow on some of the most unexpected areas and items around your home.

Moldy soap is generally the growth of molds and other bacterias on your soap that is often caused by having a mixture of organic ingredients in its creation process. The cause of this molding issue tends to depend on the preparation and procedures in making the soap. Properly processed soaps, even with the presence of organic ingredients, don’t accumulate or build any molds on the surface for the first couple of months.

You might think that having molds grow on your soap is not even possible, but there are some instances that these things happen. We will be discussing several factors on how these can happen and the steps that you can do just in case. 

When and How Will Soap Become Moldy?

Typically, you wouldn’t have to observe any form of mold or bacterias growing on soaps after several months of your purchase. But the diverse customization and personal preference in soap making have made it a factor that many tend to place or include organic compounds in the soap mixture itself. This is perfectly fine, and there’s nothing wrong with it, that is if it’s done properly. 

The creation and combination of ingredients in creating soaps are important. This is perhaps the one factor that most buyers are keen on checking if it’s beneficial for them in the long run or if it contains that one particular ingredient that they are looking for in a soap. But in making soaps, you generally would want to know the process and different stages of how it’s made. 

Well established brands and companies have been able to create their products with an assurance to their customers that it is safe and can last for several years. However, due to the demand and popularity of the industry, many have begun making their own formulations and even diversified the common practice in properly making a product for their consumption.

Some of these products are generally created for personal use but over the years, some producers tend to mass-produce and have them sold to the public. In the process of making several supplies of those products, there will be some instances that the quality and the actual process itself are carelessly implemented. 

Now, most of the products discussed are generally organic and natural products. These types are known to have a shorter shelf life in comparison to those that are mainly made using chemicals and synthetic compounds. In some cases, small manufacturers aren’t even sure about the specific shelf life of their advertised products, leaving customers with moldy and rancid-filled items. 

It’s not just soaps that are prone to these kinds of issues. You will be able to observe this even on other types of bathing products such as shampoos, moisturizers, and even on your cosmetic products. The main reason why some products tend to have molds and bacteria grow on them at a much faster rate is that these products did not go through or were not properly processed through the saponification process. 

The saponification process is generally the term derived in the chemical reaction and sets of procedures in creating soaps and other similar products. You might wonder that just having some preservatives added into the mixture will be able to resolve the issue, but this is not necessarily true. Preservatives are not enough to prevent the growth of molds and other bacterias in various ingredients.

By thinking of using preservatives and just skipping on the actual saponification process does not prevent these things from occurring on your products. Cases like these are most prominent on soaps and other similar products that use fresh and organic ingredients. There are also several factors that play a role in determining the bacterial growth of a specific product.

Some ingredients that are used in soaps are more prone to contamination which leads to the growth of bacterias and molds. This is also true on other similar products that are composed of other organic substances. Aside from the ingredients used, the process plays a major role in determining the longevity of the produced product. 

Although the accumulation and the progress of growth of bacterias and molds cannot be specifically determined, some manufacturers provide a label with the expiration date. This gives you an approximate duration until your product starts to deteriorate in quality and may already have some changes in the chemical structure of its compounds. 

However, there will always be some products that don’t provide you with this information. If this is the case, you can still thoroughly observe your product if it’s already been several months and check if there are any growing molds on any part of it. Most of the time, you will be able to see small greenish or even black powder-like substances on the surface of your product.

Can You Use Moldy Soap?

Molds are basically the accumulation of bacterias that is not ideally something that you would want to interact with. Molds can be found and even grow anywhere as long as the environment is suitable for life. It is usually found on relative surfaces related to water or with moisture. These organisms come in different variations, colors and can even make you sick.

Molds are usually harmless, but it mainly depends on the individuals’ immune system. We cannot rule out the fact that there are some that can get very sick just because they are exposed to a large number of molds or it was inhaled by accident. Mold exposure may be associated with sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, skin rashes, headaches, and even asthma attacks.

The spread of these organisms is relatively hard to check as it is on a microscopic level. However, you can take some necessary precautions to prevent them from growing in your home. But in the case of your bathing products, soaps, and other similar items, it is highly advised that you immediately dispose of the infected product to avoid having any skin or health problems. 

You don’t want to experience any health issues just because you didn’t want to throw away that soap or lotion you just bought for a huge amount of money. Remember that it’s a bacteria that will be dealing with, and it may lead to some form of skin irritation or even an infection. Now, yes, you can still use the soap infected by molds, but you will be risking yourself in doing so. 

Now, aside from the molds that you should be wary of whenever there is a presence on your soap are the orange spots that also commonly occur in soap and other similar products. The dreaded orange spots, which is the term used by soap producers or also known as rancidity, are somewhat different than the presence of mold and bacteria on your products.

Rancidity is an occurrence that is always bound to happen sometimes to soaps and is easier to deal with compared to molds. Although the compounds on the soap have already been altered due to some external factors, you can still use the product but with the sacrifice of the usual benefits. It is a good thing to be able to determine these things to prevent any possible adverse effects on your health.

Types of Soap Molds

You will be able to see a common form of mold on your soap with green, black, or dark spots on its surface. In determining the type of bacteria that grows on the surface of your soap, you would want to check that under a microscope to determine its specific type. Nonetheless, the appearance that you will see if your soap or even other similar product is already infected with molds is just the same.

Aside from this, you may also observe a different color on the surface which would often be the color orange. This is rancidity, which is different from having molds or bacteria growing on the surface or other similar products. Just keep in mind that rancidity in soap is somewhat common and not a  rare situation where you should be alarmed.

Rancidity is not just a change in appearance but also a change in the composition of substances in that product. It’s also often called the Dreaded Orange Spots. The cause of these orange spots is the result of fatty acids in soap oxidizing or breaking down from exposure either via heat, light, water, or other forms of contaminants. 

This occurrence is something even the biggest soap manufacturers experience. This is to give you an expectation in case you’re wondering if it only happens on some specific brands. Not only do the soap products have a change in appearance, but the smell from the soap also becomes musty. 

Another thing that you might be concerned about is soap scum; although it is not considered to be a type of mold or mildew, it is still something that requires your attention. Soap scum is basically an accumulation of dirty soap with a bunch of other impurities mixed together. This is mainly composed of dirt, body oils, dead skins, and even bacterias. 

Keep in mind that molds and mildews are mainly developed with the cause of bacterias in your surroundings and if most likely to grow more when it’s on a moist surface. Removing soap scum is relatively easy and you can just scrape these off whenever you are cleaning your bathroom. However, there might be times that you will experience some difficulties in removing them if it’s already been a couple of months cultivating in the corner of your bathroom.

Just simply use borax, baking soda, vinegar, or ammonia in cleaning the area to remove any residues of soap scum. You can also stop the formation of soap scum; aside from the fact that it is mainly formed with real soap and a mixture of oils, you can use liquid soap as an alternative to this. Liquid soaps are made up of detergent and soap scum will not form if this is the type of product that you will be using.

How Do You Remove Mold From Soap?

The presence of molds in the soap surface is oftentimes caused by having an organic component in the mixture of the soap itself. However, this is not always the case. Mold are organisms that can grow and survive with any presence of water in any specific area. In fact, any other form of liquid can be a probable medium where molds can grow and spread.

You even think to yourself that it might be impossible to have mold and bacterias accumulate in your home because you are keeping things clean as much and as often as possible. However, molds are organisms that naturally grow on moist or in areas wherein there’s a presence of water, and other than this, they are fond of growing on organic ingredients where it is best suited for growth.

Now, aside from the procedures and the ingredients used in making the soap, the purpose of the soap is also something that you would want to consider. The more often you use the soap, then the less probability that molds can grow on its surface. However, the less you use the soap or other similar products, it becomes stagnant, and it gives the bacteria to accumulate and grow with any disturbances.

Removing mold from the surface of the soap is fairly easy. You can just scrape off the part where there is a noticeable growth of mold. Although this removes the visible molds on the soap, it does not mean that it is safe to use. Yes, you can still use the soap, but we don’t actually recommend doing this as you will be exposing or risking yourself to any possible skin problems and even infections. 

Aside from the skin problems that you might experience, as irrelevant as it may sound, molds and mildew exposures can lead to some serious problems to your health, and it may even be fatal. Don’t compromise your health and safety just because you feel guilty spending on something you haven’t fully enjoyed or appreciate its value. Worst case scenario, you might even need to spend unimaginable amounts of money just to make yourself better and that often includes medical and hospital bills, so think about it. 

Health Problems Caused by Molds

You might be thinking that having mold around your home or just a minor exposure to this organism isn’t much of a big deal. You can be partially correct with having to think that way but keep in mind that even though it can be a minimal concern, you or some individuals can still experience some health problems being exposed to molds.

Some individuals tend to be more sensitive in terms of being exposed to several types of substances or compounds around us and that is pretty much the same with the exposure to molds. There are people who are more vulnerable and sensitive when they come in contact with any specific bacteria or organism. It would be best to take some precautionary measures when it comes to dealing with these things.

Although there are still no scientific studies that support that being exposed to molds can lead to some serious health conditions or something related to lung cancer, it is still hazardous and may cause some skin problems or other forms of irritation not just externally but also internally. One of the most concerning and rumored health issues is mycotoxicosis or which is commonly called mold poisoning.

There are still no valid supporting researches wherein mycotoxicosis is rumored to have some relevant symptoms relating to pains, changes in the mood, memory loss, headaches, and nosebleeds. But other than this, molds are known to cause some other symptoms such as a runny or blocked nose, watery eyes, dry cough, sore throat, wheezing, and even sinusitis. 

As we have mentioned, these things are most commonly observed in those who are more sensitive to this stuff. Those who also have some pre-existing conditions are known to have worsened problems due to being exposed to a large amount of mold. These conditions mainly include asthma or even persons with lung problems which results in difficulty of breathing. 

Mold and fungal infections are very common for individuals with a weakened immune system. Some patients and even those who are undergoing cancer treatments are very likely to be infected by these things. As concerning as it may seem, infections and other toxic effects from being exposed to molds are more likely related to ingesting a large amount of mold or fungus in the body.

There are also some researches that were conducted leading to a conclusion that there are types of molds that can deliberately lead to problems on the central nervous system. Black molds are the most dangerous types of mold that you need to be wary of. There were reported instances that exposure to mold particulates lead to the individual having problems with impulses and even memory problems.

This is not even limited to just simple symptoms and minor irritations. There were reports of several infants in the mid-1990s that died from lung damage. Findings indicate that their lungs were bleeding and were believed to be done by something toxic that was found in their homes. The culprit in that scenario was the black mold, and it was just regrettably ignored by some which lead to some fatal results.

According to some studies which were conducted by a research team at Brown University, people living in damp and moldy areas tend to suffer from depression. This is most likely caused by the health issues they are experiencing that further affected their mental processes. These are just a sample of situations that you might want to be aware of just in case you are exposed to these kinds of environments. 

Knowing these things, it would be best to take into consideration that long-term exposure to mold in the home or even to any type of product may lead to some health issues. Keep in mind that infants and children, older adults, individuals with allergies, and those with weakened immune systems are the most at risk when exposed to moldy areas and may develop some concerning symptoms.

How to Prevent Molds and Mildews

Preventing the growth and accumulation of molds and bacterias is always difficult, but it’s not impossible. Eliminating the possibilities and checking areas wherein molds and bacterias may accumulate in your home should be your top priority. You can start by inspecting places where there are signs of visible mold growth and also if there are any water leaks, condensation, or even areas prone to flooding. 

Mold growth can definitely be controlled as it is mainly dependent on just a few variables. Controlling humidity is one of the major factors that will help you in preventing any unnecessary growth of molds in different areas in your home. To add to this, you may also want to fix any leaky roofs, windows, and pipes. This gives you ease without having to think about any possible problems whenever it rains. 

Whenever there’s a case such as floods and any other similar events in your area, make sure that you thoroughly clean and dry every area in your home, this will not just result in the growth of molds but also other bacterias which can lead to some serious illnesses. Of course, all of these areas are worth mentioning, but in relevance to what we are talking about, you need to be extra in your bathroom.

Now, you must be thinking about how does, cleaning your home helps in preventing any molds from growing to your soap products. Actually, a lot, it helps prevent any possible growth of molds on other parts of your home, and that includes your items as well. Remember that molds are organisms that can grow on other surfaces and can easily reproduce on other areas with just their pores.

Although these steps don’t generally mean that your products won’t have any molds growing on them even though it’s already several months. It is a great way to prevent or even delay the proliferation of bacterias and molds in your home. If you happen to have a serious case of mold infection in your home, you would want to consult a professional in cleaning and eliminating them for you. 

One specific way on how you can prevent molds from growing in your bathroom is to simply use the exhaust fan. This eliminates the excess moisture from your bathroom that can accumulate into corners and hard-to-reach areas. If you don’t have any exhaust fans or windows in your bathroom, you can just leave the door open to expel the humidity. 

Another thing is to clean your shower curtains; as simple as it may seem, it is best to still mention this to avoid having any soap residues that molds and mildews can feed on to grow and proliferate. You can either clean the curtains as often as you can or just replace them for you to properly clean the old ones. This can be done at least every two weeks or even weekly if you’re feeling diligent.

Another thing is to use a squeegee every after a shower to quickly dry the tiles and the tub. This removes the water buildups that can puddle and attract the inhibition of molds and mildew. It may be a bit of a hassle if you are in a hurry, but this is really worth doing if you want to prevent those organisms from growing around your bathroom. 

You might also want to keep your other products clean. This includes your shampoo bottles and other stuff that you commonly use in the bathroom. Just remember that mildews and mold will not grow if moistures in other areas are not present. You just need to be thorough in checking every nooks and corner of your home and especially in your bathroom.

There’s actually no way that we can totally prevent the growth of mold on your soap, especially if it’s already been sitting in a humid area in your home. This goes without saying that all of the organic ingredients that are used in making some soap products cannot be fully preserved. However, this varies mainly on the processes and procedures used in making the actual product.

Keep in mind that all organic and fresh ingredients and compounds are bound to decompose regardless of the stated duration on the label of the products. The best way to make use of your soap or even any other similar products is to use them as soon and as often as you can. This prevents the bacterias to actually attach themselves to the soap.