Saponification Sunday. How much is that Soap in the Window?

 

 

I recently completed another special order for my 100% Castile Soap which means it's made with Olive Oil, Lye and Water. Nothing else. It came out lovely. Simple. Easy to make which made me feel, guilty. Because I charge the same price for my 5 plus oz of castile soap as I do my 5 oz bar of soap loaded with fantastic smelling (and very expensive) essential oils, that's why. Just $4 if you travel to my farm store and $5 if I have to mail it to you plus shipping.

But the way I figure it, it all evens out. Some bars with less ingredients leave me with a bigger profit while others a bit less.

I've been noticing though, a trend in the opposite direction. Soapers are not only charging more for their soap but charging different prices based on the ingredients. I'm seeing 4 oz bars going for $6.50 and even $7.

Soaps made with Shea Butter or other luxury butters/oils are now most expensive. I don't blame these soapers, not all all. It takes time and effort to make soap and the base oils, butters, and especially essential oils are all escalating in price.

I'd rather have soap makers keep the same quality ingredients while increasing their price than what I've been seeing occur too often. Soapers keeping the same prices but cutting back on their ingredients, using cheaper oils or using less essential oils. Decreasing both so much their soap quality suffers.

I love buying other peoples soap as it helps me improve my skills, and last week I bought a small bar of soap in Chicago, in a plain wax wrapper that claimed to have been "Farm Fresh" There were no ingredients listed on the label or a contact phone number (two big no-nos in my book) The packaging said it was "Citrus" but it had no scent. It also had virtually no lather and it was tiny. And it left my skin tight and dry. Just 3 oz for $5.99

So I have to encourage you soap consumers out there. If buying at the farmers market or soap shop, ask for a small sample to use first, or if buying through the mail ask the same. Don't expect a full size bar as a "sample" and please, please don't ask for samples of 10 bars, one or two seems fair does it not? The soapmaker can drop it in an envelope and for less than $1.00 she'll probably get another customer and you'll have piece of mind that you are getting a quality product.