FAQs

Is there lye in the soap?

Yes. There is lye (sodium hydroxide) in all soap. No lye is in the finished product, however. By the time you come to use this soap, all lye will have been turned into soap.

Why isn’t lye listed on the ingredients label?

The soap label lists the ingredients that are in the finished product, not what's used to make the soap (although you can list the ingredients that way if preferred). Because there's no lye in the finished soap bar it’s not listed in the ingredients, even though it is used to make the soap. 

On a similar note, you’ll notice on our soap labels that glycerin is included in the list of ingredients but glycerin isn’t something that’s used to make soap, it’s a natural by-product of the soap-making process.

The ingredients have to be listed by their INCI* (International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients) names but on the 90g soap bar labels I also include the ingredients' ‘regular names’ in brackets to make it easier to understand what's in the soap.

*Standardised and systematic naming convention to identify ingredients used in cosmetics.

Why does some soap have what looks like white powder on the bar?

This is soda ash and it forms when unsaponified lye comes into contact with carbon dioxide in the air (usually when the soap is first poured into its mould). Soda ash is completely harmless and washes away on first use of the soap. It’s possible to steam it off but some soap makers leave it on as it’s one of the hallmarks of handmade soap, a characteristic that sets handmade soap apart from commercially produced soap.

Why does handmade soap go soft?

Handmade soap usually goes soft because it is left to sit in water between use. If you want to make your soap stay hard and last longer, then try to keep it away from water when not using it. If your bathroom is particularly humid, you may find that your soap softens a little. Putting it to one side for a few days somewhere where it’s not so humid should help harden it up.

Why isn’t the fragrance in the soap very strong?

When first opening your soap you may find that the fragrance isn’t quite as strong as you thought it would be. However, once you start using the soap you will find that the fragrance usually ‘wakes up’ and will be just right.

How soon should I use the soap after buying it?

There's no rush to use the soap after buying it. Soap improves as it ages as the water continues to evaporate making the bar harder which means it will last longer when you come to use it (i.e. there’s less chance of it going soft). I also find that an older bar of soap produces a creamier lather which I think is connected with the age of the soap. If you do want to keep your soap bar for a while before using it, it’s best to store it in a cool dark place away from extreme temperatures and sunlight.

Why aren’t my soap bars the same size/weight?

All soap is cut by hand using a soap cutter 24 hours after it’s made. We cut a little over the sold weight to allow for water evaporation during the curing process. It could therefore be that some bars have been curing for longer so have lost more water. We always ensure that each bar is the minimum weight stated on the label when it’s wrapped: if it’s more, then that’s on us!

What are surfactants?

We use surfactants in our shampoo and conditioner bars. These surfactants are derived from plant sources to keep our products vegan-friendly and sustainable. Although these surfactants are obtained from plants, they undergo a chemical process in the lab to stabilise, enhance or preserve their properties. This makes them safe and more effective in the final product.

We use these ingredients in our shampoo and conditioner bars to produce two great products that clean and condition hair and leave it soft, manageable and healthy.

What are your processing times?

We aim to despatch your order withing 3 working days of your payment being cleared, although most times we're able to despatch it within 24 hours. If your order includes body oil it may take a day longer as we like to make this up fresh as that way it stays good for longer.

Do you offer free shipping?

All orders over £25 are eligible for free shipping. Simple type Freeship25 in the ‘Gift or Discount Code’ box at checkout then click ‘Apply’. Please note that free shipping isn't automatically applied and you will need to follow these simple instructions to apply it to your order.

Can I send my order directly to someone as a gift?

Yes, you can! Simply complete the checkout form with the recipient’s name and delivery address and add any message you’d like to include in the space provided. We will include a small notecard with your message to the recipient.

Do you sell your products in any shops?

Yes, we do. Products are sold in the following shops on the Isle of Wight:

Sea~room, Bembridge Village

Isle of Wight Candles, Cross Street, Ryde

Magpie Blu, Ventnor

Fox & Robin, Yarmouth

Nervous Wreck Designs, Cowes

Jane Crofts, Bembridge Marina (St. Helen’s Duver)

Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown