Frequently Asked Questions
Is there lye in your soap?
Yes and no. All my soaps are made using the cold-process method, which uses a combination of liquid, lye, and oils to induce a chemical change resulting in some pretty awesome soap (if I do say so myself). After this chemical change occurs and the soap is cut and cured, no actual lye remains in the bars themselves - just pure soapy goodness.
Are your products all natural?
Honestly? I hate the buzz words "all natural". I consider my products marvelous, wonderful, healthy, and more wholesome than most currently available commercial products.
But "all natural" means drastically different things to different people, and there is currently no governing body as to how this term should even be defined and/or regulated. And that means anyone can slap the words "all natural" across any 'ol item they want to without consequence.
So, simply put - if you have a question or concern about a particular ingredient or product - I urge you to contact me!
I have sensitive skin, can I use your soap? Will your soap cure my....?
While each individual's skin is, well... individual, I strongly urge you to give artisan handmade soap a try if you have sensitive skin.
My handmade soap and other bath products ARE wonderful, but I never make medical claims regarding "cures" from using my products for this or that condition.
Not only does making medical claims on these types of products violate FDA rules, I am not a medical professional and therefore am not qualified to diagnose or treat any medical condition.
It is up to you, the consumer, to use your best judgment when using any product on your skin.
Do you test on animals? Use animal products? Or palm oil?
I do not test on animals (only willing family and friends).
Most of my products are vegan, and contain no animal products of any sort. The only animal products you may find in my products are the occasional addition of honey and/or goat's milk. I do not use palm oil in my soaps.
From time to time, I may offer mixed media art projects or jewelry in my shop featuring taxidermied animals/insects, bone, hair, hide, and/or etc from various animals. The animals used in these projects have all died of natural causes and/or have been ethically sourced.
Does your soap melt? Why is it damp?
My soap will not melt due to heat (not even if you leave it in your car in summer). BUT - you should allow your soap to dry between uses to prolong its life. Lye soap left sitting in water in the shower or tub will tend to dissolve much faster and, if left long enough, will turn into a big gooey pile of nice smelling mush.
If your bar of soap is "sweating", or my soaps are damp whilst at a show, it is due to humidity, not heat. My lye soaps retain all the glycerin created during the chemical processes that occur to make the various ingredients into finished soap. Glycerin attracts moisture from the air around it - and so, you end up some kinda sweaty soap if the humidity is high (welcome to Missouri). Soap "sweat" does not affect the overall awesomeness of the soaps.
Why is my bottle of _______ not all the way full?
All of my bottled products (lotion, body spray, hand sanitizer, etc.) are filled by weight and not volume. Each bottle will contain the nt. wt. listed on the label (sometimes a smidge more, but never less). This intentional space left in the bottle also allows for regular expansion of the liquid due to temperature or altitude.
If I bring you/mail you my used bottle/jar/candle/etc., can you just refill it for me?
No, I'm sorry I do not refill any product containers due to hygiene and safety concerns. Each container used at Farmers Soapery is 100% recyclable though, and I encourage you to do so!
Do you have a retail store front? Can I buy from you in person?
Farmers Soapery does not currently have a retail store front. Everything is handmade in my home, which is not open to shoppers. If you prefer to buy in person, I do attend between 10 - 15 festivals and art shows in the midwest area per year, and all my products (plus some) are available for purchase at those events.
Can you send me free samples?
I'm just a poor girl, from a poor family... but yeah, no. I haven't found a cost effective way for me to offer even low priced samples (except for soaps), let alone free ones. Sorry.
Can you teach me and/or my group how to make soap? Can I come watch you make soap?
No, sorry. I do not teach classes or individuals, and my home is not open to spectators.
I do not share my recipes, nor my supplier lists. Thank you for understanding.
Do you offer wholesale, custom orders, or private labeling?
I am currently accepting wholesale inquiries. I do not offer custom orders or private labeling.
What are your shipping and return policies?
To view my policies, please visit this page.
What is your privacy policy?
To view my privacy policy, please visit this page.
Yes and no. All my soaps are made using the cold-process method, which uses a combination of liquid, lye, and oils to induce a chemical change resulting in some pretty awesome soap (if I do say so myself). After this chemical change occurs and the soap is cut and cured, no actual lye remains in the bars themselves - just pure soapy goodness.
Are your products all natural?
Honestly? I hate the buzz words "all natural". I consider my products marvelous, wonderful, healthy, and more wholesome than most currently available commercial products.
But "all natural" means drastically different things to different people, and there is currently no governing body as to how this term should even be defined and/or regulated. And that means anyone can slap the words "all natural" across any 'ol item they want to without consequence.
So, simply put - if you have a question or concern about a particular ingredient or product - I urge you to contact me!
I have sensitive skin, can I use your soap? Will your soap cure my....?
While each individual's skin is, well... individual, I strongly urge you to give artisan handmade soap a try if you have sensitive skin.
My handmade soap and other bath products ARE wonderful, but I never make medical claims regarding "cures" from using my products for this or that condition.
Not only does making medical claims on these types of products violate FDA rules, I am not a medical professional and therefore am not qualified to diagnose or treat any medical condition.
It is up to you, the consumer, to use your best judgment when using any product on your skin.
Do you test on animals? Use animal products? Or palm oil?
I do not test on animals (only willing family and friends).
Most of my products are vegan, and contain no animal products of any sort. The only animal products you may find in my products are the occasional addition of honey and/or goat's milk. I do not use palm oil in my soaps.
From time to time, I may offer mixed media art projects or jewelry in my shop featuring taxidermied animals/insects, bone, hair, hide, and/or etc from various animals. The animals used in these projects have all died of natural causes and/or have been ethically sourced.
Does your soap melt? Why is it damp?
My soap will not melt due to heat (not even if you leave it in your car in summer). BUT - you should allow your soap to dry between uses to prolong its life. Lye soap left sitting in water in the shower or tub will tend to dissolve much faster and, if left long enough, will turn into a big gooey pile of nice smelling mush.
If your bar of soap is "sweating", or my soaps are damp whilst at a show, it is due to humidity, not heat. My lye soaps retain all the glycerin created during the chemical processes that occur to make the various ingredients into finished soap. Glycerin attracts moisture from the air around it - and so, you end up some kinda sweaty soap if the humidity is high (welcome to Missouri). Soap "sweat" does not affect the overall awesomeness of the soaps.
Why is my bottle of _______ not all the way full?
All of my bottled products (lotion, body spray, hand sanitizer, etc.) are filled by weight and not volume. Each bottle will contain the nt. wt. listed on the label (sometimes a smidge more, but never less). This intentional space left in the bottle also allows for regular expansion of the liquid due to temperature or altitude.
If I bring you/mail you my used bottle/jar/candle/etc., can you just refill it for me?
No, I'm sorry I do not refill any product containers due to hygiene and safety concerns. Each container used at Farmers Soapery is 100% recyclable though, and I encourage you to do so!
Do you have a retail store front? Can I buy from you in person?
Farmers Soapery does not currently have a retail store front. Everything is handmade in my home, which is not open to shoppers. If you prefer to buy in person, I do attend between 10 - 15 festivals and art shows in the midwest area per year, and all my products (plus some) are available for purchase at those events.
Can you send me free samples?
I'm just a poor girl, from a poor family... but yeah, no. I haven't found a cost effective way for me to offer even low priced samples (except for soaps), let alone free ones. Sorry.
Can you teach me and/or my group how to make soap? Can I come watch you make soap?
No, sorry. I do not teach classes or individuals, and my home is not open to spectators.
I do not share my recipes, nor my supplier lists. Thank you for understanding.
Do you offer wholesale, custom orders, or private labeling?
I am currently accepting wholesale inquiries. I do not offer custom orders or private labeling.
What are your shipping and return policies?
To view my policies, please visit this page.
What is your privacy policy?
To view my privacy policy, please visit this page.