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Frequently Asked Questions about Handcrafted Soap

What is the difference between your Glycerin Soap and your All Natural Soap?

        My Glycerin Soap is made from a base, commonly referred to as "Melt and Pour," among soap crafters.  I use an all vegetable oil base to which I add fragrance oils (some people are allergic to fragrance oils), mica and/or liquid colorants, and/or non-toxic soap paint.

        My All Natural Soap is handmade by me using various oils, butters, water, lye, botanicals, and essential oils.  This soap is 100% all natural.

        The reason I make two different types of soaps - Some people prefer Glycerin Soap for its high glycerin content, variety of fragrances, color, or the decorative possibilities.  My All Natural Soap is preferred by those seeking a natural alternative to what is manufactured and sold by "large corporations."  I make Glycerin Soap because I enjoy creating new designs and custom-blending new scents.  I make All Natural Soap because I receive great satisfaction from creating a loaf of soap from scratch, watching the ingredients go through saponification (the chemical reaction which causes soap to be created), and knowing that what I've made is gentle, mild, and won't irritate my skin.

Is hand painted soap okay to use on my skin?

        Yes it is!  The paint I use on my decorative soap is non-toxic and water-based.  I have personally tested all of the hand painted soap and have not had any adverse reactions.  However, all skin types are different and you may have a reaction even though I didn't.  Most people who purchase my hand painted soap use it for decorative purposes only.  Take care with any towels or wash clothes used with hand painted soap as it may stain.

The soap I received doesn't look like the soap in the picture.  Why is that?

        This is one of the unique characteristics of handcrafted soap.  The glycerin bath bars are made using individual molds - meaning that I make each bath bar one at a time.  I try to make each bar look as close to the one in the picture as I can, but each bar will be a unique, one-of-a-kind bar made just for the customer!

Why does my glycerin soap look wet, or have sweat beads on it?

        Because I use an all natural soap base to make the glycerin bath bars, they contain a lot of glycerin.  Glycerin is a humectant, it attracts moisture from the air, pulling the moisture to the soap.  It may not be attractive, but it shows that the soap is high in glycerin!  The soap is still perfectly good to use, just make sure you place it on a well draining soap dish between uses.

The scent doesn't smell the same in this bar as it did in the last bar I ordered.  Why?

        Sometimes it is necessary for me to order my fragrance oils from another supplier/manufacturer due to availability, etc.  I pre-blend all of my custom-blended scents, but if I run out and need to make a new batch I can't guarantee that I will always be exact.  I also may need to change one of the fragrance oils in the blend due to availability, and not all supplier's oils are going to smell the same.  I try to keep my scents as consistent as possible, and have succeeded so far!

What do you mean by "All Natural Soap"?

        The ingredients I use in these bars are all natural, the soap contains no detergents, alcohol, or fragrance oils.  I use the Cold Process method for making this type of soap.  I use an online lye calculator to determine the correct amount of lye and water to mix together, based on the amount of different oils and butters I am using in a particular recipe.  The lye and water mixture is combined with the oils/butters to create a chemical reaction (saponification) which produces soap.  When this occurs, the soap is poured into molds for 24-48 hours.  After this time period I unmold the soap, cut it into bars, and then it needs to cure for approximately 4 weeks (sometimes longer).

        There is no lye left in the finished soap product.  The lye/water mixture is used for the saponification process, and if the steps are followed correctly the end result is a wonderful bar of handmade soap!

        The soap made by this process must cure for so long because it is very soft when it is unmolded.  It must air dry, or cure, so that the water can evaporate out of it and the bars can get harder.  The longer the cure time, the harder and longer-lasting the soap will be.

Can my children use your soap?

        They sure can!  My soaps are gentle enough for all skin types, both young and old.  Do remember that some people are allergic to all natural ingredients and fragrance oils, and this goes for children too.

        Test the soap on the inside of the arm before using all over the body.  If a reaction occurs, discontinue use immediately!

What if I'm allergic to ingredients used in your soap?

        Discontinue use immediately!  Just because a product is all natural, it does not mean that it contains ingredients that won't cause an allergic reaction.  Many people are allergic to all natural products.  It is for this reason that I list all ingredients used in my soaps.  Please check this information first to see if you have any known allergies to the ingredients used.

        Your skin is the largest organ on your body.  Some people find that after they have used commercial skin products, and then begin using handmade soap, they have a reaction.  However, most find that the ingredients used in handmade soap are much gentler than those used in commercial products.

Is your soap better than what I buy in the store?

        I think so!  Most of the "soap" made by commercial manufacturers isn't really soap at all.  Have you noticed that most of them are labeled "cleansing bar" or "beauty bar?"  This is because they use detergents and remove the glycerin.  Ever notice that store-bought "soap" dries your skin and you need to use an expensive lotion afterwards?  This is because they take the glycerin from the "soap" and put it in their expensive lotions!  That's why their "soap" is so cheap - You get what you pay for!

        My soaps contain ingredients which are good for your skin.  They have moisturizing and conditioning ingredients, are mild on your skin, and don't contain harsh ingredients that will harm or dry out your skin.  Most of my customers have told me that they don't even need to use a lotion after bathing with my soap!

Can I get a discount if I buy a large quantity?

        I have a wholesale program for those customers who wish to purchase my products for resale, or those ordering large quantities.  For more information you can email me at wholesale@countrymeadowcreations.com

        Please note that not all products are available at wholesale pricing, and not all customer requests can be honored.

Can I get a free sample before I place an order?

        Sorry, but I do not offer free samples.  Being a home-based business it is not cost effective for me to offer free samples without a customer order.  I always include free samples with customer orders as a special thank you for purchasing from Country Meadow Creations!

How long does it take to receive my order?

        I make all glycerin soaps when they are ordered.  I do not keep a pre-made stock of these soaps.  Glycerin soap orders typically ship within one week after ordered.  The one exception to this is large orders.  If you purchase a large quantity of product, you will receive an email notification with a shipment date for your approval.

        I do keep a small stock of all natural soap because it does take 4-6 weeks for the soap to cure.  The quantity of bars in stock can be found on the All Natural Soap page.  If you order more than the quantity listed, you will receive an email notification with a shipment date for your approval.

        When ordering soap for holiday gift-giving, please order at least 2 weeks before you will need the product.  Holiday seasons create a higher quantity of orders and typically USPS shipping delays.

Do you ship international orders?

       At this time Country Meadow Creations only ships their products within the continental United States.  All international orders will be cancelled without notice.  We are sorry for this inconvenience.

What types of payments do you accept?

        For customer convenience I accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express via a secure server, PayPal, money order, or personal check (order ships when check clears.)

What is your return policy?

        Due to the personal nature of my products I do not accept product returns.  Please note that I have listed the ingredients to all of my products so that those with sensitive or allergic skin will know ahead of time what is in my products.  If you have a problem with my products, please do not hesitate to contact me to resolve the matter!

What is your privacy policy?

        Country Meadow Creations will never share, or sell, your personal information or order history with any other individual or company.  I also have a no-spam policy.  After you place your first order you will be sent an invitation to join my email list.  If you choose not to join the list, I won't contact you again.  I value your privacy as much as you do!  ***View the full Privacy Policy page for more information***

I have a question that wasn't listed here.  What do I do?

        Email me with any other questions you may have here - info@countrymeadowcreations.com