An exploration in ... Suds?
I don’t like writing about myself, so here goes nothing.
Scuttlebutt Soap was born from the need to make something useful and beautiful at the same time. The problem with being a serial crafter is that you can only use so many necklaces, or magnets, or whatever the current project is. Soap is wonderful because it allows creativity in something that is going to be consumed, and then I get to make more!
It was a winding road to get to soap. I always said that it was the one thing I was never interested in exploring. One day I had a casual aquantance mention that they were trying out making their own lotion. Yes, you read that right. Lotion. At home. I was intrigued. All the lotions I’d tried from the store were horribly ineffective or smelled so strongly they were off-putting to me. So I started making lotion at home; just tiny batches for myself. From there it was lip balm. Then shampoo and conditioner. Finally I decided it was time to try cold process soap. And then I was hooked. I could do exactly what I liked! In fragrances that weren’t overwhelming or triggering for my allergies! I made just for myself and my family for years. Finally I decided to take the plunge and try to turn it into a job, so here we are.
Questions? Answers!
Why Soap?
Because it’s useful. Because it smells nice. Because it’s something everyone should be using.
But Lye! Chemicals!
All soap is made with lye, full stop. Lye, usually Sodium Hydroxide (bar soap) or Potassium Hydroxide (liquid soap), is required to cause the chemical reaction that creates soap from oil. There is no free, unreacted lye in finished soap, or at least there shouldn’t be. In order to be sure that there is no excess lye, I use what is called a superfat, which you can read about below. Some manufactures label in such a way that it appears they didn’t use lye in their process, but that’s because they’re naming the final chemical that results from the reaction. Or what you’re using is actually a detergent bar, which is a whole different kettle of fish but does the same thing in the end (clean).
What is superfat?
Superfat means there is excess oils that are not reacted with lye in the bar. This is done for two reasons. One being that it ensures there is no excess lye in the finished bar. The second reason is that it helps ensure that the soap does not strip your skin of too many of the natural oils. All my soaps use a superfat of at least 5%. Most are 6-8%. A few might be higher, like my facial soaps or salt bars.
Can I use it to wash my hair?
You could, but I don’t recommend it. Bar soap is made by reacting oil with a strong base. The final product has a pH of 10+, very basic. Your hair has a pH of about 5.5, slightly acidic. Washing your hair with true* soap can damage your hair, even if you keep it short or use a vinegar rise afterward. People still do it, and still love it, and still recommend it, but none of my soaps are formulated to be used in the hair and I absolutely DO NOT recommend it.
*True soap being oils reacted with lye, as opposed to a detergent bar which uses surfactents created through other chemical processes.
Can I use it to wash my dog?
Nope, see above.
Can I use it in my dishwasher/washing machine?
People do, but your expensive appliances are going to survive much longer if you use products specifically formulated for them.
Do you make lotion/bath bombs/shampoo/conditioner?
Not at this time. Probably never for lotion; lotion is HARD. Lotion is an emulsification of oil and water. Making sure it’s stable long term, at a variety of temperatures, and doesn’t grow bacteria is a job for a lab, not for a small maker. Bath bombs, solid shampoo (with detergents rather than true soap), and conditioner bars are all on the list for further expansion, but are not offered at this time.
You wrap all your soap in plastic wrap! I want to be plastic free!
Yep, they’re all shrink wrapped. I do use Biolefin, which is plastic produced from plants, but it is still plastic at the end of the day. I hope to be able to offer a plastic free option in the future, but for now I felt this was the best choice.