Ask the Soapman

Why can’t I find organic shampoo?

February 21, 2013

Hi Larry, I’ve been a hair stylist for 30 years and struggle with finding the purist haircare possible. I don’t see any hair cleansers in your lineup (?) Lisa! If I could figure out how to make a truly organic shampoo I would be emailing you from a sailboat in the South Pacific. Here is what I have learned from working on this for the past 20 years: 1) Hair does not like essential oils esp when used over time. 2) Fine hair does real well with the Butter Bar (I have been using it for over 10 years with…

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Are all ingredients and packaging made in USA?

February 21, 2013

Are all ingredients and packaging made in USA? Hi Kamilla, We use a lot of certified organic palm and coconut oils. These are not grown on the continental US in any marketable amount. We buy these ingredients from an organic cooperative in Brazil that is recognized world wide for having the smallest carbon footprint of all the palm oil producer world wide. For every acre under production they put 3 acres into a Nature Preserve. We get our famous organic shea butter from Ghana, the result of 10 years of volunteer efforts in West Africa to improve the shelf life…

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What do I add to your raw shea butter to make my own soap?

February 21, 2013

I am interested in your shea butter to make soap in different shapes to sell in my store. Besides fragrance, do I have to add anything else. I have made some in the past with some molds I have, but have not worked with raw shea butter. Please advise. I am interested in 55 lbs to start. Hi Donna, A good soap base starts with palm oil, coconut oil and olive oil. Exotic oils like shea butter might be 10% or less of the total oils used. We also sell shea butter in 20lb and 4lb sizes to get you…

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Can I purchase your products without labels?

February 19, 2013

Can I purchase all of your products without labels or are there some which are not sold that way? Thanks! Good Question Linda: First, you can buy everything we make in bulk. We sell 1 gal bottles, 5 gal self dispensing cubes, 50gal drums and 275gal totes. We also sell the bottles and caps you need. Look for our new packaging and bottle section in the Private Label side of the website on or about March 1, 2013. Vermont Soap also has a 336* Program. Here, we will put your label on our product with a 336 minimum at our…

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Liquid Sunshine Gallon Pricing

February 19, 2013

Hey whats up with these gallon pricing for foaming hand soap? I have never paid $49 a gallon, around $25 each at a discount. Sounds like we have been seeing you at some of the Organic Conventions we do around the region. Our NOFA Show Special for years has been $25 for gallons of Liquid Sunshine (which is basically wholesale pricing). You can still pay around $25/gal when you buy a 5gal self dispensing cube. Or come on down to our Discount Factory Outlet in Middlebury, VT where we sell gallons for $35 every day. Vermont Soap is a sponsor…

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What is your best product for hand washing dishes?

February 19, 2013

What is your best product for hand washing dishes? Thank you! I like Liquid Sunshine, Lemongrass and Unscented; in that order. Most liquid castile soaps including Unscented will do a good job for you without the chemical detergents and residues. Most of us Americans have gotten used to lots and lots of long lasting foam when we wash our dishes. Synthetic detergents can be formulated to foam better and last longer than most soap products ever could so natural soap is used a little bit differently. Rather than squirting the liquid into a basin and washing from there, you will…

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Can you use Liquid Sunshine in the dishwasher?

February 19, 2013

Can I use the liquid sunshine in the dishwasher as a detergent? If so, would I use the amount recommended by the dishwasher or would I need to dilute it? Can you dilute the liquid sunshine to use as a foaming handsoap? If so, what would the ratio be? Thanks Hi Jess, You can indeed use Liquid Sunshine in your dishwasher. Use about the same amount as with any concentrate, about 1/3 cup. To refill your foamer bottle first rinse the bottle thoroughly, then fill about ½ with warm water. Slowly add another ½ bottle of Liquid Sunshine. Screw the…

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Could you tell me a little bit about your bi-products/waste?

February 16, 2013

Could you tell me a little bit about your bi-products/waste? I am in the manure and organic waste to energy field. The bi-product from soap making can be a great asset to this type of system, and I have a farm in your area that is looking at the possibility of one. So a few questions…. How much waste do you create? Would you be willing to divert this waste to a local farm for energy production purposes? What type s of waste do you have to possibly contribute? Thank you for your time! Chantal Beliveau, P.E. What a terrific…

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Do your products keep our ph balance and are they safe for the immune system?

February 16, 2013

I know that ph Balance is vital for the oxygenation of our cells, mineral absorption, enzymatic processes and metabolic processes. So my question is, do your shampoos keep our ph Balance and are they safe for the immune system? Hi Cristy, While we do not currently make shampoos, we do make a lot of products for your skin. Soap is the hygienic cleanser out bodies evolved to use. It washes away germs but does not harm our skin. Poorly made soap has excess alkali in it, and thus would have a pH that is harsh and drying on your skin.…

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Effects of eating and cooking with dishes washed in detergent? Are the chemicals getting transferred into our bodies?

February 13, 2013

I’ve read lots of your posts about the effect of detergents on skin when used in body cleaning products and laundry products. Another detergent I’ve been thinking about in my house is the one I use in my dishwasher. Is there any research into the effects of eating and cooking with dishes washed in detergent? Are the chemicals getting transferred into our bodies or do they always rinse off completely? Thanks for all the great information you provide on your website. ~Amanda What a great question. Back when I was a hippy I lived in a co-operative household. One of…

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