How To Cut A Bar Of Soap Without It Crumbling

Let's take a look at a few different ways you can cut homemade soap without it splintering or crumbling.

With handmade soap, the first and most important step is to cut at the right time: typically within 24–48 hours after pouring. If you followed your recipe correctly and didn't forget to add any oils, then it comes down to your cutting methods to prevent crumbling.

Cutting tools and methods

There are so many different ways to cut a loaf of homemade soap. You can buy soap cutters, or go the DIY-route and use items you have at home.

Soap wire cutter: A store-bought soap wire cutter is the Cadillac of cutting tools and probably worth every penny if you're planning on making lots of soap. Simply place an entire loaf of soap onto the base, line it up properly, and lower the wire top down. Presto-you'll have 9–12 straight cut bars of soap in an instant.

Soap cutting box: This is a wooden box with built-in notches for you to evenly cut your soap with. You'll need a dough scraper to fit through the slots as most knife blades are too thick.

Knife: Sometimes with softer soaps, you need to work with a skinnier, smaller knife to prevent it from sticking. It's important to choose the right knife. The best knives to use are sharp, unserrated, and have a flat surface (with little tapering). Most sharp chef's knives work well. If your soap is crumbling a lot when cutting with a knife, you can try warming up the blade slightly (see the Knife heating method, below).

Cheese wire: If you have cheese wire handy at home, it works well to slice through a loaf of soap as easy as well, cheese.

Sawing miter and dough scraper: If you already have a sawing miter at home, it can double as a soap cutter. To protect the bottom of your soap, place a small piece of cardboard below it which makes it easier to slide.

Microwave method

You'll need:

• Cutting board
• Sharp, unserrated knife
• Soap bar
• Gloves (optional)
• Microwave-safe plate

1. Place your soap bar onto a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 5 seconds. Flip the soap bar over and heat the other side for 5 seconds. Repeat as necessary until your soap bar feels slightly warm to the touch.
2. Place your warmed soap onto a cutting board. Position your knife where you want to cut and press firmly down.
3. Store your cut soap in travel-size containers or small bags.

Knife heating method

You'll need:

• Sharp, unserrated knife
• A kettle with boiling water
• A wide shallow and heat-safe dish to dip your knife in
• Cutting board
• Clean dish towel

1. Boil water in a kettle. Pour hot water into a heat-safe shallow dish.
2. Dip the blade of the knife for several minutes until it's warm.
3. Carefully wipe the blade dry with a clean dish towel (the blade will be hot!).
4. Place the bar of soap onto a cutting board. Position your knife where you want to cut and press firmly down.
5. Store your cut soap in travel-size containers or small bags.