Stupid question regarding wooden soap bowls

[Kevan]

I just pulled the trigger on my first Trumper product, the coconut oil soap in the bowl. I got the bowl because I thought it looked cool and I didn't know if the puck would fit in my small Old Spice mug.

Anyway, here's the stupid question: do I have to worry about water warping the wood or something? We all know what happens to soaps after we finish the shave. Lather is everywhere and the dish is damp, and there might be water swishing around in the bottom (at least there is with my Cella and Tabac). So how do I deal with this? Does the bowl have water-seal on it or something along those lines? Do I leave it out with the top off to let it dry?

Thanks, guys. As you can tell, I'm mainly a cream guy.

 

[DaveAri]

I just pulled the trigger on my first Trumper product, the coconut oil soap in the bowl. I got the bowl because I thought it looked cool and I didn't know if the puck would fit in my small Old Spice mug.

Anyway, here's the stupid question: do I have to worry about water warping the wood or something? We all know what happens to soaps after we finish the shave. Lather is everywhere and the dish is damp, and there might be water swishing around in the bottom (at least there is with my Cella and Tabac). So how do I deal with this? Does the bowl have water-seal on it or something along those lines? Do I leave it out with the top off to let it dry?

Thanks, guys. As you can tell, I'm mainly a cream guy.

I have a few AOS bowls for years now, and look brand new. I also have two C&E bowls and those are not made of the same quality and the lids are slightly off. I haven't used either of the C&E soaps in over six months since I'm think AOS, Tabac, MWF and L'Occitane are so much better.

 

[mparker762]

The wood is fairly well sealed, though some minor warpage may occur. Within a couple of uses the soap will expand to fill the bowl so you don't have to worry about water sloshing around underneath the soap.

 

[Kevan]

Ah. So it's pretty safe right? No wood chips will break off?

 

[Luc]

I also have a wooden bowl for my soap, mine was homemade for something else, probably jewellery or something... The wood expanded a bit now, I would need to sand the lid a bit to make it fit. Otherwise, nah, everything's fine, I usually put the wooden bowl in water to soften the soap.

 

[mdunn]

i dont do anything special for wooden bowls - just let the soap dry out on its own, cap it, and put it back in the cupboard

 

[Kevan]

Ok, thanks. With my Tabac I don't even leave it open to dry; I just cap it. I suppose I should let my hard pucks dry first before putting them away.

 

[dpm802]

Ok, thanks. With my Tabac I don't even leave it open to dry; I just cap it. I suppose I should let my hard pucks dry first before putting them away.

Unless you're putting it away for an extended length of time, I don't think it matters whether it dries out completely or not.

I usually cover my Tabac after use, but of course, the lid doesn't fit very tightly. By the next day, it is dry to the touch. I still like to prime it with a Tbsp or two of water before I load the brush.

Several weeks ago, I wanted to put the Tabac away until winter, so I left the top off for a week, and set it in the dining room, away from the humidity in the bathroom. It got very dry, and the surface was all cracked and crinkly.

It went in the closet for about a month, but then I dug it out again and restored it to its place of honor in my rotation. The dormant period doesn't seem to have hurt it any ... but I will probably buy a brand new puck for this winter and PIF what remains of this one. Even after six months of use, its still about 85% there.

 

[Kevan]

My Tabac is the exact same way. I keep it on my dresser away from the bathroom and the surface of the soap gets wrinkly. My concerns were mainly for the wooden bowl of the Trumpers though. The Tabac dish is glass and water gets under the puck constantly; I just didn't know if wood bowls warp when that happens. But from responses here, I guess not.

 

[jonnyt]

I've been using DR Harris Arlington soap for a while now, I used to leave the lid off for a day after using it but don't bother any more as it doesn't seem to make any difference. My bowl hasn't warped at all and it gets plenty wet every time I use it.

 

[Suzuki]

So long as you don't soak the bowls, they dry out just fine.

If you ever have a bowl where the finish wears off, all you need to do is give it a very light sanding (you can use fine steel wool or a scotchbright pad, as well as very find sandpaper) wipe all the dust off carefully and then give it a few light coats of marine varnish from a spray bomb - you'll be good for a couple more years at least.

FYI, I've not had to do this with any of my bowls - but this is what I would do if I noticed the finish failing.