Comments for Handmade Soap and Natural Bodycare Blog from Salt Spring Island Soapworks.

Comment on FRESH!!! by Saltspring Soapworks

Saltspring Soapworks — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:28:53 +0000

See reply below…We may put Best Before Dates on some products..like the fresh Body Gelatos….but there virtually is no ‘best before’ date for pure soap. They last for years….I once used a bar of Honey Soap with beeswax that I had made 5-6 years before. It was the best soap I’ve ever used! Body Care products are a whole different world, though! Thanks for the suggestions.

Comment on About Saltspring Soapworks by Saltspring Soapworks

Saltspring Soapworks — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:26:11 +0000

Hi Yixi…looks like you’ve thought a lot about soap…Hurrah! No, we don’t add preservatives to our soaps..nor do we need to. I’ve read there is a 100 yr old bar ofsoap in a British Museum…still fine! If soaps are made with high-quality ingredients, cured properly…they just harden and harden and keep getting better. After decades..the scent may indeed fade…but there will be no ‘rancid’ smell. Pure soap lasts much longer anyway, than the commercial syndets (read synthetic detergent) bars most people use.

Comment on FRESH!!! by Yixi

Yixi — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:39:43 +0000

Good article! As I suggested elsewhere, putting “Best Before Date” on the package may add additional work for you but surely will make your products stand out: it shows how fresh your soaps are and remind people how long they should keep. And it’s so cool to treat soap like quality chocolate or cheese!

Comment on About Saltspring Soapworks by Yixi

Yixi — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:25:04 +0000

After 30 years you guys are still thriving, you must have done it right. Bravo!

I’ve got a little suggestion for you. I assume you don’t add preservatives into your soap and as a result, your soap will have a shorter shelf life than commercial ones. Ever thought about putting “Best Before Date” on the package to a) tell people how fresh your soaps are and b) remind people to use them when they are still nice and fresh? Nothing is sadder to me than seeing beautiful soap going rancid or lose all the natural fragrance due to aging.

Cheers.

Comment on They’re Fibbing!! by Yixi

Yixi — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:05:58 +0000

Enjoyed reading your articles, Linda! I wouldn’t call a person is fibbing if she/he is not intentionally misleading others. I nevertheless impressed by how hard you tried to keep clear and transparent about everything. Everywhere I go people want to be ’strategic’ and they care about the PR more than plain good old fashion truth. To know people like you exist and doing well in this highly competitive world just made my day!

By the way, I bought some soap bars at your Victoria store today and love them! I think I bought my first handmade soap from your company back in the early 90s when I was an undergrad in UBC. I got it at the Student Union Building where there was a few booths selling unique arts and crafts. I told a lot of people how wonderful the soap was and it lasted for a long time. Then the student’s life took its own turn … and nearly 20 years later I’m back to Saltspring Soap again! Not only I’ll be getting more soaps from you, I also want to make my own. I wonder if you’ll offer any classes in near future?
Anyway, thanks for the wonderful work!

Comment on They’re Fibbing!! by Neil

Neil — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:28:40 +0000

Nice blog article! The guidelines on what is considered natural are so vague that the commercial soap companies can say just about anything – or nothing at all. What’s important is that you’re up-front with your customers about what is contained in your products.

Comment on Still Harping! by Saltspring Soapworks

Saltspring Soapworks — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:29:26 +0000

tastouch is 100% correct! Canola can be a great additon to soap…”in a low amount” to keep soap chemistry balanced. I would think something like 5%! My problem is with those who use it as the main ingredient to make a cheaper, quicker soap. I’ve seen canola listed many times as the main ingredient, with just some fragrance added. I prefer it in my salad!

Comment on Still Harping! by tastouch

tastouch — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:26:56 +0000

You can buy organic canola for both cooking and soap making. Canola oil is high in Ricinoleic, a fatty acid that contributes conditioning properties, as well as stable lather to your handmade soap. You should use a low percentage in your soap to keep the soap chemistry balanced. Your statement “it is not really a good oil for soapmaking” is incorrect.

Should you like to do a little further research you could read Kelly bloom’s article (link listed below). Kelly, incase you are not familiar with her or her work, is a well established and highly respected soap maker.

http://www.bloomworksoap.com/ARTICLES/Canola%20vs%20Rapeseed.htm

Comment on An Ounce of Prevention! by JimmyBean

JimmyBean — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:38:23 +0000

I don’t know If I said it already but …Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,

A definite great read..Jim Bean

Comment on FRESH!!! by Computers & Tech

Computers & Tech — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:32:58 +0000

Hey there,
Nice blog, I just stumbled upon it and I am already a fan.