Welcome to Good Ol' Soap!
Good Ol' Soap is a Colorado based soap company that specializes in handmade goat's milk soap.
GOAL: The goal of Good Ol’ Soap is to make a quality product that is an affordable alternative to the commercial detergents labeled as “soap” on the market today. My soap isn't fancy, just a wonderfully gentle soap that can be used on even the most sensitive skin.
HISTORY: I started looking into natural soap alternatives 19 years ago when my daughter started reacting to every know soap product on the market. At first I purchased products from health food stores at extraordinary prices, and my daughter’s eczema did clear up. When we moved out to the country and got our first goats, I knew I needed to try making my own soap. It was very different from the recipe I use now as I branched out into different oil/fat bases. I’ve also added ingredients to enhance the product, and my daughter is my official tester since she still reacts to most commercial soap and beauty products.
ESSENTIAL OILS VS. FRAGRANCE OILS: Natural doesn’t mean much these days – sugar is natural, and so is anything in its natural state, but that doesn’t mean I want it in my soap! Many people prefer essential oils because they’re more “natural.” However, some essential oils are pretty caustic and wouldn’t be good rubbed into your skin in their “natural” state, some may cause allergic reactions, and some aren’t recommended during pregnancy. Fragrance oils are artificial chemical aromas in carrier oils. Fragrance oils are supposed to be nontoxic, but just as with essential oils, some may cause allergic reactions. My scents are made for soap and shouldn’t cause adverse reactions, though as with my daughter (see History), anyone can react to just about anything. I also react to perfumes, so I tend to keep my scents pretty mild – just a touch is enough for me.
INGREDIENTS: My soap is made from lard, olive oil, coconut oil, goat’s milk, lye, water, and essential oil or fragrance. I use lard because I think it’s a great moisturizing fat for your skin. It also helps keep my soap inexpensive. Next comes olive oil – about 32 oz. per batch. Coconut oil is added for lather, but not too much because it can dry your skin. Fresh, unpasteurized (lye kills any germs) goat’s milk is also a big part of my soap because it’s also great for the skin. One note: I do use commercial lard because rendering my own lard for the amount of soap I make would be very time consuming, and results aren’t always consistent. Commercial lard has trace amounts of BHT and BHA as preservatives, but once again, my daughter tests all my products (see History) for purity. I don’t feel either these additives causes problems externally, especially in the trace amounts in my soap. Any soap maker out there who uses lard and doesn’t render her own uses commercial lard, but none will tell you that fact. Some don’t even seem to realize that fact, and yes, I’ve searched everywhere for a truly natural lard but have found none anywhere. I’ve found worse though, and I won’t use them!
AVAILABILITY: I make soap several times a week, but I like my soap to “cure” for 6 weeks (this allows the lye to mellow and the soap to harden). Because of this curing time, I may have the scent you want but not be willing to sell it yet, so I list an availability date. You may preorder, but I will not send it to you until the date listed when curing will be finished to my satisfaction (it will be pulled from inventory though to assure that you get priority). Orders will be held until all the particular scents you ordered become available, so if you need soap quickly, please put it two separate orders (one for soap listed as currently available that will be shipped immediately; one that will be on hold until the soap you want becomes available). Preorders are a good idea before Christmas because I do run out of many scents.
GIFT WRAPPING: I can package my soap attractively in seasonal, food-grade cellophane bags for only $1 per soap gift package. Just check the gift wrap option when placing your order. Each designated address must be a separate order to cover shipping costs. If you prefer a specific design rather than the current seasonal design (birthday, wedding, etc. / packaging for a guy), email me at the time of order (I ship daily). Each gift package will include an attached tag listing the recipient and your name. If you’d like me to include a few words more, I’ll be happy to – just let me know in your email.
HISTORY: I started looking into natural soap alternatives 19 years ago when my daughter started reacting to every know soap product on the market. At first I purchased products from health food stores at extraordinary prices, and my daughter’s eczema did clear up. When we moved out to the country and got our first goats, I knew I needed to try making my own soap. It was very different from the recipe I use now as I branched out into different oil/fat bases. I’ve also added ingredients to enhance the product, and my daughter is my official tester since she still reacts to most commercial soap and beauty products.
ESSENTIAL OILS VS. FRAGRANCE OILS: Natural doesn’t mean much these days – sugar is natural, and so is anything in its natural state, but that doesn’t mean I want it in my soap! Many people prefer essential oils because they’re more “natural.” However, some essential oils are pretty caustic and wouldn’t be good rubbed into your skin in their “natural” state, some may cause allergic reactions, and some aren’t recommended during pregnancy. Fragrance oils are artificial chemical aromas in carrier oils. Fragrance oils are supposed to be nontoxic, but just as with essential oils, some may cause allergic reactions. My scents are made for soap and shouldn’t cause adverse reactions, though as with my daughter (see History), anyone can react to just about anything. I also react to perfumes, so I tend to keep my scents pretty mild – just a touch is enough for me.
INGREDIENTS: My soap is made from lard, olive oil, coconut oil, goat’s milk, lye, water, and essential oil or fragrance. I use lard because I think it’s a great moisturizing fat for your skin. It also helps keep my soap inexpensive. Next comes olive oil – about 32 oz. per batch. Coconut oil is added for lather, but not too much because it can dry your skin. Fresh, unpasteurized (lye kills any germs) goat’s milk is also a big part of my soap because it’s also great for the skin. One note: I do use commercial lard because rendering my own lard for the amount of soap I make would be very time consuming, and results aren’t always consistent. Commercial lard has trace amounts of BHT and BHA as preservatives, but once again, my daughter tests all my products (see History) for purity. I don’t feel either these additives causes problems externally, especially in the trace amounts in my soap. Any soap maker out there who uses lard and doesn’t render her own uses commercial lard, but none will tell you that fact. Some don’t even seem to realize that fact, and yes, I’ve searched everywhere for a truly natural lard but have found none anywhere. I’ve found worse though, and I won’t use them!
AVAILABILITY: I make soap several times a week, but I like my soap to “cure” for 6 weeks (this allows the lye to mellow and the soap to harden). Because of this curing time, I may have the scent you want but not be willing to sell it yet, so I list an availability date. You may preorder, but I will not send it to you until the date listed when curing will be finished to my satisfaction (it will be pulled from inventory though to assure that you get priority). Orders will be held until all the particular scents you ordered become available, so if you need soap quickly, please put it two separate orders (one for soap listed as currently available that will be shipped immediately; one that will be on hold until the soap you want becomes available). Preorders are a good idea before Christmas because I do run out of many scents.
GIFT WRAPPING: I can package my soap attractively in seasonal, food-grade cellophane bags for only $1 per soap gift package. Just check the gift wrap option when placing your order. Each designated address must be a separate order to cover shipping costs. If you prefer a specific design rather than the current seasonal design (birthday, wedding, etc. / packaging for a guy), email me at the time of order (I ship daily). Each gift package will include an attached tag listing the recipient and your name. If you’d like me to include a few words more, I’ll be happy to – just let me know in your email.
SPECIAL EVENTS SOAP: Occasionally I’m asked to make smaller, personal sized soap to give out as wedding or party favors. I need to know two months in advance to make and package the soap you want. We can also theme and design your particular label in your particular colors if you desire, or just use one of our templates. Email me for prices and designs.
