I recently received a sample of facial soap, which I ended up liking, but it was in bar form, and it seemed to deplete rather quickly. This got me to thinking about how to make bar soap last longer, besides the rather obvious advice of "just use less." So let me stand on my soapbox (sorry), and present you with some tips on keeping your bar soaps longer:

• High and dry: Keep soap out of water, away from the direct shower stream to avoid "melting." Soap-saving products come in all shapes and sizes to drain water out and keep your bar soap protected. Try a Wooden Slatted Soap Saver ($2), a vertical Soap Holder ($2), or the slanted angle Soap Saver ($6).
• The harder the better: I'm still talking soap, people. Look for the French milled or triple milled variety, which is made at high pressure, resulting in a harder, dense soap that has less air, and lasts much longer.
• Use a washcloth: Limit the amount of soap usage by busting out a washcloth. A shower sponge or mesh sponge will also do the trick.
• Nothing but net: The Container Store's Netted Soap Saver ($2.50) allows you to drop small scraps of soap into the netted pouch for an exfoliating effect. You can also make your own by putting those little soap remnants in the cut-out foot portion of old nylons or tights, hanging them in your shower where the water wouldn't hit.
• DIY: Unwrap empty soaps and place them in a drawer or between layers of linens. This helps "cure" the soap (dry it out), making for a harder, longer-lasting bar.

Source