Getting sudsy with locally made soap
July 21, 2008 by Haidee
I previously wrote about some very talented local Etsy sellers, one of which is the Primitive Earth Soap Company. Soon after the post, the soap maker herself sent me some samples to try.
They arrived adorably packaged and smelled fantastic. In all honestly, though, I expected the homemade soaps to disappoint. In my experience, natural soaps haven’t been sudsy enough and, therefore, feel ineffective as compared to super sudsy mass market body washes. But, I always like to try something new, especially something natural. And I was very pleasantly surprised!
I tried the Just Oatmeal and the Sassafras Cowboy Soap, and both were quite sudsy. The Just Oatmeal was particularly enjoyable. It made my skin feel luxuriously smooth and squeaky clean. I was amazed that a concoction of a few natural products could legitimately rival the presumed effectiveness of something with a laundry list of chemicals I can’t even pronounce.
I recommend you try a bar out yourself, available in the Primitive Earth Soap Company Etsy store. Even if you are stuck on a certain soap for yourself, I think this is perfect for the guest bathroom. It is local, natural, and useful!
Hey Haidee, those suds you look for of are usually from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a harsh industrial cleanser that dries out your skin. So ditch the suds!
Thanks, Shannon! I’m also a big fan of Lush (http://www.lush.com/). Such a cool store and fun products, and all good for you (I think). But I always go local if I can.
Their bath melts are incredible. Don’t buy the pink bath bombs though- the tub will fill with what looks like Pepto Bismol and it’s just too weird to bathe in.
Shannon,
I am looking for some of the body cleaning products that are as industrial cleanser free as possible, “Green”, to sell in EcoDry Cleaners on Main Street as a bonus for our customers to pick up while they are picking up their dry cleaning. Personally changing my anti-green habits as well as trying to conduct green business is definitely an everyday learning experience. We decided to discontinue future printing of glossy flyers because of the fact that they are not recycled stock, so now we are printing on recycled paper. We are now looking for lighting fixtures in the store because of our track lighting. change, change, change… If you would be kind enough to give more recommendations on which cleaning products a person like yourself would come into our store to purchase, we would be much appreciative. Also, if you know who sells them locally. Our preference is local, but if there is not much out there then we will buy non-local, so just let me know. Thanks…
Ty, thanks for reading! You might also consider chatting w/ the nice folks at the Blue Ridge Eco Shop. They are super knowledgeable and have several lines of cleaning products.
http://www.cvillestyle.com/2008/07/15/cvillestyle-spotlight-blue-ridge-eco-shop-eco-giveaway/
I thought of them, but did not know how they will feel with us selling what they are selling. I wouldn’t care if it were me, but everyone is different. I will give it a shot though.
Ty, I’m not familiar with local cleaning products but I do love Bronner’s Castile Soaps in Lavender and Peppermint. Nothing but the good stuff in those and they smell awesome.
I will do an internet search of the Bronner’s name and check out the prices. Thanks to you and Haidee for the suggestions. Hopefully, within the next month or two, the “Green Wall” (the store within the store) will be stocked with the items you appreciate.
If your into locally made natural bodycare, you should check out Brigit True Organics. Brigitte, the owner, makes a large variety by hand right on E. Market Street. Ciao.