Gold Coast Soapworks
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1-866-814-5554
Redefining Clean with Natural, Handmade Soaps
© 2008-2010 Gold Coast Soapworks is a wholly owned subsidiary of JP Enterprises.
Lighthouse Point, FL. All rights reserved. JPEnterprisesOnline@comcast.net
Lighthouse Point, FL. All rights reserved. JPEnterprisesOnline@comcast.net
Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Soap
Best Sellers
Vegan Soaps
Aromatherapy
Unscented
Classics
What is the difference between handmade soap and the stuff sold in stores?
Commercial bars, also known as beauty bars or bath bars, usually contain detergents, degreasers and petroleum derived chemicals that can be harsh to the skin. Commercially made, mass produced soaps have the glycerin removed because it gums up the machinery which is then sold for use in other skin care products. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin. Real, handmade soap retains that glycerin which makes the soap much less drying than the detergent bar.
How long does the soap last?
I have been asked this quite often from my customers. Because this seemed to be a concern back when I first started selling, I increased the percentage of the harder oils to make sure the soap was a good value. The bars are quite large and thick and will last quite a while if kept dry when not in use. We recommend and sell soap savers for use with our soaps.
Is this melt and pour soap?
Absolutely not! Real soap makers make each batch from scratch. The oils are carefully weighed and the ingredients are mixed together. When the soap starts to thicken or trace, it is cooked until the process is complete. Next the scent, botanicals and any other ingredients are added and the soap is poured into the mold. When it hardens, it is hand cut into bars and allowed to dry. When the soap is ready, it is labeled and shipped.
Melt and pour soaps are much softer and don't last as long. They are often made into logs and sold by weight of the piece as it is cut off. The ingredients in melt and pour soap are the very same ones found in commercial bars that we learned how to make real soap so we could avoid them.
Is the soap made with lye?
Of course it is! All soaps including commercial brands and melt and pour "bases" are made with lye or it would not be soap. The lye is consumed during the soap making process so the final product does not contain lye when made properly. Our soap is cooked until the lye is fully neutralized and each and every batch is thoroughly tested. The recipe contains additional fats above and beyond the amount of lye needed and this also insures a mild soap. Natural, handmade soap is very gentle on the skin.
When can I use the soap?
Immediately! We would not sell soap that wasn't ready for immediate use.
Does your soap contain animal products?
The majority of our recipes are made with 100% food grade vegetable oils and are suitable for vegans. A few recipes do contain animal products such as milk, honey or beeswax. Grandma's Old Fashioned Soap contains lard. All ingredients are marked so the customer can decide which product is suitable for them.
Is ph important?
Not really, though commercial soap companies want you to think so. Real soap is alkaline which is why the ph is fairly high, usually between 8.5 to 10. Detergent bars have a lower ph because of the detergents like sodium laurel sulfate. Detergent bars need chemicals to be called antibacterial. Real soap is naturally antibacterial without the addition of chemicals.
How about soap scum?
Real soap will react with minerals in water to produce soap scum. Soap scum is not much worse than detergent residue and easily removed with a scrub brush. It is much harder to remove when sprayed with chemicals, remember natural soap is the best cleaner in the world.
Commercial bars, also known as beauty bars or bath bars, usually contain detergents, degreasers and petroleum derived chemicals that can be harsh to the skin. Commercially made, mass produced soaps have the glycerin removed because it gums up the machinery which is then sold for use in other skin care products. Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin. Real, handmade soap retains that glycerin which makes the soap much less drying than the detergent bar.
How long does the soap last?
I have been asked this quite often from my customers. Because this seemed to be a concern back when I first started selling, I increased the percentage of the harder oils to make sure the soap was a good value. The bars are quite large and thick and will last quite a while if kept dry when not in use. We recommend and sell soap savers for use with our soaps.
Is this melt and pour soap?
Absolutely not! Real soap makers make each batch from scratch. The oils are carefully weighed and the ingredients are mixed together. When the soap starts to thicken or trace, it is cooked until the process is complete. Next the scent, botanicals and any other ingredients are added and the soap is poured into the mold. When it hardens, it is hand cut into bars and allowed to dry. When the soap is ready, it is labeled and shipped.
Melt and pour soaps are much softer and don't last as long. They are often made into logs and sold by weight of the piece as it is cut off. The ingredients in melt and pour soap are the very same ones found in commercial bars that we learned how to make real soap so we could avoid them.
Is the soap made with lye?
Of course it is! All soaps including commercial brands and melt and pour "bases" are made with lye or it would not be soap. The lye is consumed during the soap making process so the final product does not contain lye when made properly. Our soap is cooked until the lye is fully neutralized and each and every batch is thoroughly tested. The recipe contains additional fats above and beyond the amount of lye needed and this also insures a mild soap. Natural, handmade soap is very gentle on the skin.
When can I use the soap?
Immediately! We would not sell soap that wasn't ready for immediate use.
Does your soap contain animal products?
The majority of our recipes are made with 100% food grade vegetable oils and are suitable for vegans. A few recipes do contain animal products such as milk, honey or beeswax. Grandma's Old Fashioned Soap contains lard. All ingredients are marked so the customer can decide which product is suitable for them.
Is ph important?
Not really, though commercial soap companies want you to think so. Real soap is alkaline which is why the ph is fairly high, usually between 8.5 to 10. Detergent bars have a lower ph because of the detergents like sodium laurel sulfate. Detergent bars need chemicals to be called antibacterial. Real soap is naturally antibacterial without the addition of chemicals.
How about soap scum?
Real soap will react with minerals in water to produce soap scum. Soap scum is not much worse than detergent residue and easily removed with a scrub brush. It is much harder to remove when sprayed with chemicals, remember natural soap is the best cleaner in the world.
What does saponification mean?
The name saponification literally means soap making and it describes the chemical reaction that occurs when a vegetable oil or animal fat is mixed with a strong alkali such as sodium or potassium hydroxide.
