FAQ'S

Is this lye soap? Yes it is what is called lye cold process soap.

What makes this soap different? First the ingredients, I use the very best sorts of oils, I do not cheap out, that is the first place others cut costs. And all recipes are carefully planned and made to have extra moisturizing & nourishing qualities. This takes allot of knowledge and skill, that is the science & art of soap making. With continued use, I expect you will experience the real & wonderful difference for your self.

Does it last long? Yes, we find with normal cleaning use, using a cloth or poly scrub for single coverage. Do not let the bar soak or set in water or use it directly as the cleaning instrument. One bar should last one person as the only cleanser, about one month, (shampoo & shaving bars are lots longer, see their pages for those details) some recipes do wear a little differently and of course some times the smell is just such a nice thing, it is quite possible, to just really get into it. But aside from all that, we do not use any hardeners, and do properly cure them. Most importunately we want your skin to be greatly nourished as well as rightly cleaned, we believe we have made the best of a healthy and natural balance of the two.

I have sensitivity concerns, what would be best? Most sensitivity issues arise from synthetic ingredients, largely fragrance oil and or detergents. Low end quality ones do add to the potential for irritations. However any ingredient including totally natural, has the possible potential to have sensitivity issues. It is some times hard to isolate accurately the culprit. It takes patience and clear & careful reasoning to sort out. However the sensitive bars area is a good place to start. But I suspect that a broad range of choices will work fine as the base ingredients help in numerous ways to help your skin cope and boost resilience. Lots of persons who otherwise have fragrance sensitivity issues In mainstream products, can use even the ones I make with fragrance oils in them. If you have particular questions. Please do ask, and I will try my best to help. This is the link to the sensitive section. Very Sensitive Bars and this is my (nova) direct email link hevnsent@fidnet.com

Can I use these in laundry?

Yes: Shampoo bar Whispering woods is what I recommend when spot treatment is desired. Other wise, here are two suggested processes. Of course ugly soap bags are a great choice for this, as would the shampoo ugly bags.

1 pound, very dry, grated cold process soap (that is any bars I make)
8 oz. washing soda - sodium carbonate ( Arm & Hammer Washing Soda - not baking soda)
8 oz. borax (20 mule Team )

can add 1/2 oz lavender essential oil or some other fragrance

Mix dry ingredients in large bowl with gloved hand.
Add essential oil by sprinkling on top. Mix again
and dispense into containers. Ball Jars work well if you are giving these as gifts. Tie off with raffia at lid and attach a handmade tag with these instructions:

For light loads, use 2 tablespoons; for sheets or heavy laundry, use 1/4 cup.

Another way
2 cups soap shavings
1 cup borax (20 mule Team )
1 cup washing soda - sodium carbonate ( Arm & Hammer Washing Soda - not baking soda)
make it in a crock pot because it is quicker.
Put 4 quarts water on high in crock pot and add soap shavings.
Shavings will dissolve as water heats. Stir every 20-30 minutes
until all soap is dissolved and water is quite hot. NOT BOILING.
Turn off crock pot and add borax and washing soda. Stir well. Let
sit stirring occasionally. When cool you can add more water if it
is too thick. You can add 1 ounce orange EO and 0.5 ounce
lavender EO. You can pour right into an old detergent bottle and perhaps use about 1/2 cup .

Are they organic or eco aware?

I value the importance of organic farming and ingredients are chosen based on organic origins wherever possible and reasonable, however the scope of my work uses a vast array of natural materials, a large number of which have in no way become available in organic. I am also aware and concerned and secure only renewable source on all ingredients that are in someway endangered or have possible questionable harvesting such as sandalwood, rosewood and agar wood (Oud) and others. I work with very reliable sources for all of the ingredients I use.

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