Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, what you're seeing is the white kaolin clay that is used in most of our artisan bars. In other cases, it could be any number of other additives (honey, turmeric, etc...) that you're seeing.
How do I know that your soap is safe for me to use?
The list of ingredients used in our artisan soaps is included with each listing. We want you to be assured that there is nothing 'hidden' or 'undisclosed,' and encourage you to do due diligence when selecting the soap that's right for you and that contains nothing that would be harmful to you. As always, if any irritation occurs discontinue use!
My soap looks different from when I bought it last time...
or
This soap looks different from the picture on the website. What happened?
All of our soaps are handmade products created in small batches. They will vary slightly in weight, color, and design from one batch to another. If, however, we decide to change the basics of a soap's design, we will do our best to update the website photo as soon as possible.
Hey, I had stuff in my cart but when I went to check out, it was gone!
We are so sorry! Let us explain! If there are multiple people shopping our products at the same time and quantities are too low to fill all of the orders, whoever checks out first will get the items. Everyone else will, unfortunately, be told we're sold out.
Do I really have to use these amazing soaps? Can't I just sit and smell and look at them?
Our products are at their absolute best when used within six months of purchase. After that, the color(s) and scent will begin to fade. It will still get you clean, but there won't be much to sit, smell, or look at if you wait! Go ahead and use it—we have more!
Your soaps look and smell SO amazing — like yummy dessert!
We know.
However, nothing we sell is for consumption. DO NOT EAT THE SOAP! Allow children to use the soap under close supervision.
Besides, The US Consumer Product Safety Commission states 'Do not eat soap.' For more information, click this link.
Why is it taking so long for you to stock more of (insert name of artisan soap here)?
We cure most of our artisan bars, handpoured in small batches, for a minimum of four weeks before being sold. This makes them different from the glycerin soaps that can be made and sold almost immediately. The exceptions to the four-week rule for artisan bars are soaps — such as the 100% Olive Oil bar — that we cure for a minimum of six months before they are offered for sale.
What does cure mean?
In shortened layman's terms, it means the time it takes to produce a harder bar of soap. While we could sell artisan bars within days of being made, those bars still contain enough moisture to pretty much guarantee that they wouldn't last as long, even if you used a draining soap dish.
Also, when a batch of soap is freshly made, 10-15% of the weight is comprised of whatever liquid was used in the ingredients. It makes it a heavier bar, which also makes it somewhat deceptive. We don't want you to pay an additional 10-15% per bar in shipping costs, only to have the product become lighter within weeks of being used once all of the liquid has evaporated.
But (insert site name here) only has a one-week turnaround time for their artisan soaps! Do you really need to wait four weeks?
The short answer is no, we don't need to.
There are artisan soapmakers who will sell freshly-made soap within days of production. In most cases, though, there'll be a disclaimer or note with your order asking that you leave the bar(s) in a well-ventilated area for an additional 2-3 weeks before use, in order to achieve a harder and longer-lasting bar.
That additional time is the same as our in-house cure. What we do is cure the soaps before they get to you, so that you can use them right away and not have to wait an extra few weeks unless you truly want to.
Our bars are also closer to what their true finished weight will be because curing is completed. We find that this is preferable to shipping out a fresh bar that feels heavier (and likely cost more to ship) but will lose weight as curing takes place and the liquid has evaporated.
Your Shipping Policy mentioned that you also ship via First Class Mail, but I didn’t see the option when checking out. Why is that?
Our system automatically presents shipping options to you based upon the total weight of your order. First Class shipping increases exponentially if the weight exceeds a certain amount and can be much more expensive than Priority Mail in such cases. If yours is such an order, the system will choose Priority Mail for you to save money.