Natural Handmade Soap is our thing.

Natural versus “Over the Counter” Soap. What is the Difference?
The technical definition of soap is "the result of a chemical reaction between a fatty acid and an alkali solution." Fatty acids are the actual fat content of animal or vegetable oils; there are many different fatty acids which combine to make up different oils. The alkali solution is commonly known as lye and is usually sodium or potassium hydroxide. (sodium hydroxide creates bar soap, potassium hydroxide creates liquid soap) By this definition, soap must be made from animal or vegetable fats/oils and lye. However, note that in the finished product there is no free lye - it is all combined into the resulting soap.

Homemade soap
Homemade soap means different things to different people – mainly defined by those who actually make home made soap.

For some soap makers, it means exactly what it says – it is a small batch of soap made in the home for personal use.

But I think it can mean much more than that. To me, homemade soap is a soap that is artisan crafted in small batches where careful attention is given to each recipe. To me, it must be made by hand – not by large machines where the ingredients are poured into giant drums.  That is definitely NOT home made!

SHOP OUR HOMEMADE SOAPS HERE – OVER 25 KINDS

So, does the soap have to made inside someone’s house to be called homemade?  Not necessarily. While it is true that our soap making operation moved out of our personal kitchen many years ago, it didn’t go that far. Around 2006 we purchased a soap making shop – one of those quaint barns that most people use for storing bicycles, old furniture, and Christmas ornaments. We then proceeded to insulate the entire barn, install drywall, counter tops, flooring, and electricity. In the picture below, our soap shop may not look very large but it is very well organized with work stations on either side, drying racks for the soaps, an oil melting station, and a shipping area. The barn lofts are great for store bottling and packaging.

My point is, our soap shop is still located at our home, just 15 feet from our back door right beyond our studio and the goldfish pond.  In front of the shop is our herb garden where there is: oregano, thyme, sage, Asiatic lilies, lavender, catmint, beebalm, yarrow, and green peppers.

To the side, you will see my hydrangea bushes on either side of the door. (see pic to right of page) In the summer months, there are hanging baskets of petunias and impatients. An old elm tree shades the soap shop, helping to keep in cooler during the summer months.  But, yes, there is air conditioning in the shop.  Soap needs the humidity pulled out of the air in order for it to dry and cure properly.

Now, back to homemade soap. Just being made on our property isn’t the only factor in calling our soap homemade. It also has to do with the fact that it is made in small quantities – only 36 bars at a time, sometimes only 12 bars at a time. True, we may have to make soap more often than our competition but this attention to detail and quality makes me secure in the notion of calling our soap homemade.
Aromagregory soaps are completely vegetable-based with no animal fats added. Our own recipe consists of olive oil, coconut oil and soybean with a little shea butter added.

Frequently Asked Questions about handmade soap:
Q: Does your soap contain lye?
A: soaps, both handmade and store-bought are initially made by using lye (sodium hydroxide) or a similar caustic agent. The process of soapmaking is a chemical reaction. When made properly, no lye remains in the finished product; it is simply the catalyst needed for turning oils into soap.

Q: Will your soap help my eczema?
A: Soaps are not allowed to be promoted as having curative or medicinal properties unless they are treated as, and get tested and certified as, medicines. So, we are not allowed to answer with a “yes” or a “no”. But we have had several regular customers who have stated that the soap has helped with problem skin. This may possibly be attributed to the relatively natural ingredients in our soaps. It may be preservatives, colorants or fragrances in commercial soaps that cause unpleasant reactions. Our suggestion is for an eczema sufferer to try our mildest bar, Oatmeal-Milk-and-Honey, and see how it
works for their skin.

Q: How long does a bar last?
A: Most couples tell us that a bar of soap lasts four to six weeks. This is based on using it according to directions, by not letting it stand in water; always use a vented or ribbed soap dish or shower caddy to allow the bar to dry between uses and last longer.

Bulk wholesale soap for private label
Have a bath business and want to include good, handmade soap in your product line?  Our website www.soapbytheloaf.com offers the same great soaps we make for retail in bulk loaves or blocks, ready for you to cut into bars and wrap in your own company label.

Loaves approximately 4 pounds each. Blocks around 12 pounds each. Prices begin at only $19.99 per loaf. Made with real essential oils, each batch is made especially for you at the time you order it.  To learn all about our bulk soap, visit our FAQ page found at: www.soapbytheloaf.com/information.htm .