We use it every day. But most of us can't put our finger on what it is. As a child, I collected soaps in a little boxy suitcase. My favourite was a cream coloured round Moroccan rose soap wrapped in red paper. My fascination with soap continues to this day.

First off, soap IS NOT DETERGENT!!! Real soap does not lather well in cold water -detergents do. They also destroy your skin and are responsible for hair loss, "dandruff" and most cases of "dry" skin. Read Why I Don't Use Sodium Lauryl/th Sulfates http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/1316

SOAP 101

Strictly speaking, soap is a substance that dissolves in water, forms a lather, and is used as a cleansing agent. Soap is produced by combining fats or oils with alkalies (like lye, or sodium hydroxide) or alkaline earths, in the "hot process" by boiling, and consists of salts of sodium, potassium, etc., with the fatty acids (oleic, stearic, palmitic, etc.). The process of "shocking" fats or oils with lye is called saponification. Soaps made without animal fats rinse clean and leave no soapy film behind.

By extension, anything that we use as a cleaning agent can be called soap.

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/words/so/soap221215.html#ixzz1omYmD7Ci

They say soap is cheap, but that's only because it didn't used to be before the industrialization. Soapmaking is a skilled, fine craft. The most ancient way of making soap we can call "hot process". African Black Soap is hot process soap made from charred plantain peels and cacao pods, forming a weak lye solution, then boiled with palm oil. With pure lye, we can make "cold process" soap by preparing the lye solution, then adding it to precisely measured oils. "Liquid" soaps are produced in industrial settings. Vegetable glycerine comes from saponified vegetable oils while "glycerin" is usually a by-product of petroleum processing. "Glycerin" is a sweet honey-like substance that attracts moisture to the skin, and mixes with both oils and waters. It is made into melt and pour glycerine soap bases and is used as a liquid in cosmetics. Hand made soaps have "retained glycerine" because the glycerine is folded back into the soap. Glycerine is removed from commercials soaps, leaving them harsh and drying, which is why these soaps have "creams" added! There are plants that naturally contain saponins. Of the saponifying plants, soap nuts are the most convenient for us to use because they are light, dry and store well. The soapnut shell contains a moderately sticky natural substance called saponin, which acts like a natural soap when it comes in contact with water.

I carry so many soaps!

HOT PROCESSED SOAPS

AFRICAN BLACK SOAP is an excellent gentle skin conditioner that is traditionally used to treat all manner of skin problems from acne to eczema. It is high in vitamines A & E and iron. Unlike other so-called "black soap" on the market, this one is made from a few ingredients - plantain skins, cocoa pods, water and palm oil - and no dyes, scents, preservatives or detergents are added. You can form the soap into balls, press into molds or containers, or create a liquid soap with water, as you like. Learn all about my Authentic African Black Soap, Horizontally traded, from my supplier's family in Ghana: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/soap-african-black-ghana-gram

SAPONIFYING PLANTS!

Soapnuts Sapindus mukorrosi, an inedible natural soap berry that grows in trees and is a natural source of laundry detergents and cleaning soaps. Soapnuts have been in use in India, Nepal, Indonesia and many other tropical and sub-tropical countries for centuries. You can use soapnuts every time you need a soap! I sell soapnuts by the jute bag, or by the 100g - no plastic! Learn all about my soap nuts here: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/product/soap-soapnuts-aka-soap-berries-sold-...

VEGETABLE GLYCERINE SOAPS AND MELT-AND-POUR SOAP BASE

UK Certified Organic Vegetable Glycerine in Soap Base and Cupcake Bar forms:
Anarres' Organic Soaps are free from any foam boosters or preservatives. Made from 100% Certified Organic Vegetable Oils, the base contains no alcohol or harmful products to dry your skin! The soap is produced from the highest quality double distilled and deodorized clear coconut oil, forming luxurious lather and sparkling clarity.
Learn More: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/515
Crystal Soap Base: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/256
Cupcake Bars: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/55

LIQUID SOAPS

Liquid Organic Castile Soap Base Made and certified in England, this is a natural soap base made from saponified GMO-free organic oils of coconut and sunflower. This organic base has a mild pH that will not dry out the skin and can be used as a shampoo, body cleanser, hand wash or even as a mild laundry detergent. It provides a nice gentle cleaning action good for individuals with sensitive skin. http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/1170

Liquid Organic Fair Trade This is the best soap on the planet. Why?
It's...
1. Certified Organically Grown
2. Certified Fair Trade
3. All-in-One: hand soap, ingredient, shampoo, household cleaner
4. More local than my previous supplier in England, and packaged to me new plastic-free in North America's only 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/694

HAND SANITIZERS

Hand Sanitizer: All Natural, Sanitize without Water!

Safe for everyone including babies! The essential oils I use in my hand sanitizers are anti biotic, anti viral and anti fungal. Aloe vera is a gentle, healing ingredient on the skin. I make a variety of anti viral hand sanitizers - when you order, I'll email you for your preferences. Alcohol containing hand sanitizer meets the requirements for institutional settings and is gelled with natural, skin soothing xanthan gum. Alcohol-free hand sanitizer is gelled with guar gum. http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/601

Stainless Steel "WISE" Antimicrobial Soap

Perfect for camping, boating and porta-pottying! The technology behind the wise stainless steel soap is based on the natural physical properties of bound silver ions with Shield Guard, which is contained in the stainless steel surface. These non-releasable silver ions are toxic free, and conduct a wide range of anti-bacterial activities. Learn more about Wise soap here: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/1374

FANCY WASHES

Mamalicious Baby Wash This all-in-one healing baby wash cleanses and soothes hair and skin from head to toe without detergents using all-natural baby-safe ingredients. NOW gluten-free! http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/676

Custom Organic Liquid Golden liquid soap is made from organically grown saponified oils with 5 ml of your choice of citrus essential oil. If you ask for peppermint, you'll get a shower gel! http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/121

CLEANSING LOTIONS

As much as I am fascinated by soap, cleanser is best for the face. My cleansers are made from a simple lotion base of filtered water, flower water, fractionated coconut oil, vegetable emulsifying wax and preserved with care and grapefruit seed extract. The varieties below incorporate essential oils and other skin cleansing botanicals. The gentle cream washes are very effective in removing dirt, pollution, makeup and emulsifying oils without drying and stripping the natural barrier from the the skin. Great for sensitive skin.

Raindance Cream Face Wash http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/662

Raindance Balancing Face Wash http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/601

EcoGear Day Lotion and Cleanser http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/492

EcoGear Night Lotion and Cleanser http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/493

HOME CLEANING

All Purpose Cleaner, Hypoallergenic This All Purpose Cleaner is the ultimate eco-friendly cleanser for your household. Using a blend of 100 % botanical actives, it safely and effectively cleans any water washable surface in your home. http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/506

And because you made it all the way to the end of this post, I'll give you a special reward! When you order any soap on this page, I'll give you a bonus gift. The secret password is "Soap is cheap!" Thanks!