Soaping with Salt

One of my new spring seasonal soaps is the Sea Salt soap. Which probably sounds weird if you haven't ever heard of salt soaps before. If you have heard of them, or even tried them, then you'll want to just head over and grab a bar of this heavenly scented lovely version, because mmmmmm, it's swoonie.

So the rest of you, you're thinking, what?! Why put salt into my soap? Isn't that crunchy? and what's with all the food in my shower?

Have you ever had a little tropical vacation and spent some time bobbing in the ocean waves? Surfing and sunning all day, and then when you get back to the casa and showered off, realized that your skin felt silky smooth and actually pretty great looking? That's not the mai tai's  talking. It's a real thing. The salt content in sea water is a pretty nice thing. Just by getting wet, it dissolves off dry and dead cells, leaving your skin a little smoother and fresher.

If you've only been in the pool, you know that the chlorine totally dries you out. You can't slather enough lotion on yourself while your skin cracks like the desert and your hair turns green. But splashing in the real waves? It's actually hydrating instead of drying. Our human bodies are made of up something crazy like 60% water and salt is the only mineral we digest, even absorbing it through our skin while we're floating away our stress.

Salt water has the added benefit of cleansing and rinsing off debris, bacteria, foreign toxins and the like, curing acne, cuts and wounds (even if a big one stings a little). No matter what you've got, sea salt water is going to heal your irritations. 

So how do we get this fabulousness at home? Well, if you're a soaker, then the Dead Sea Bath Salts are a great way to surf for beauty in your bath tub. If you're like most people, you've only got the shower. THAT'S why we stuff the salt into your soap. A bit of sudsing with a salt bar gives you all the spa-like benefits of an ocean dip or a long soak in the mineral bath salts, just in the time it takes to belt out your favorite song in the shower.

February is as good a time as any to get salting yourself. Dry, pasty white, winter skin could use a little healthy glow right about now. Am I right? 

And this one soap bar smells as good as it feels. Essential oils of lavender, rosemary, mint and thyme give it that irresistible luxury spa fragrance you can’t stop sniffing.

Just a couple more notes about this one, since it will be just a tad different from the other bars you're used to: 1) it is definitely smooth and not crunchy or scrubby feeling. The salt already dissolved in the soap recipe, and any residue will also dissolve immediately when it hits the water. 2) The suds will be salty tasting, in case you happen to lick some, or your kids start swearing like sailors. 3) It might not be my first choice for a leg-shaving soap, especially if you're prone to nicking your ankles. 4) It's still got great lather and lasts just as long, but sometimes the last little sliver will crumble apart as it gets down to the last salt crystals. 

If you've had one of my previous salt bars and have comments, suggestions, tips, feel free to leave a comment. And if there is anything else I didn't cover, or you've got more questions, also drop it in the comment box below. I'd love to hear what you think of the salt soap craze!

Soap Mitts are back in stock!

The scrubby soapy mitts are back in stock and ready for sudsing. They've been on back order for awhile, but finally arrived. Get 'em while they're hot! These are really great washcloths that fit your hand like a mitten with a wonderful texture that exfoliates too. And only $4 each!!

New: Oats & Goats!

I know you've been waiting anxiously for the new spring products to arrive already. They are coming later this week. Really. Just putting the finishing touches on everything and making sure we've crossed all the tees. But to tide you over til Friday, here's a sneak peek at one of the new items. It's actually an old item that we've amped up a bit and given a fresh make-over, because sometimes you just have to kick that old 80's hairstyle to the curb, even if it's as comfy as an old ratty sweatshirt. Ouch, right? Just keeping it real.

Previously called "Oatmeal, Buttermilk & Honey" soap - we've taken this very popular bar up a notch!
Goat Milk has so many skin benefits, it seemed silly not to incorporate it into our recipe. Its creamy feel actually comes from the cream - fat molecules that are extra moisturizing and gentle for dry or sensitive skin. It's helpful for eczema and psoriasis conditions too, with higher levels of vitamins and minerals that protect from harm, repair damage, and boost skin health. Alpha-hydroxy acids, which you can find in expensive skin treatments, naturally occur in milk, removing dead skin cells while leaving the surface skin smoother, younger looking and more radiant - without any harsh chemicals or peels. 


Our new recipe still has the soothing ground oatmeal and fresh, raw, organic honey - revered for their luscious moisturizing and skin softening abilities.  These particular ingredients have been used for centuries to soften and calm skin.  From Cleopatra's bath to now, it's the most luxurious combination for pampering your skin, and the perfect complexion bar.

We haven't changed a thing with the fragrance either! It's the same warm, sweet scent you've loved all along, a blend of oatmeal, milk and honey yumminess. This is a comforting, calming and all around nourishing bar of soap for face, bath or showers.


Ingredients: Olive oil, organic coconut oil, sustainably-grown palm oil, organic shea butter, ground oatmeal, whole fresh organic goat milk, fresh raw organic honey, fragrance oil.

Soap Mitts - Almost Gone

These scrubby shower mitts are almost out of stock.  I have just a few left and by the time the weekend is over, I expect to be empty handed.

The word from the manufacturer is that they are in production now, but will not be ready for shipment until January. So if you were thinking about them for the holidays, put in an order asap.

I will update here, fb and on the site as soon as they come back in.  Just a heads up . . .

Show Boat - It Happened!

You know that amazing order I got last week? Soap bars to go to the cast and crew of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra's Show Boat production this past weekend?

It happened! My little bars arrived in the nick of time. And got wrapped up in such lovely wrappings by the fabulous Valerie Whitney, who made the labels herself at the very last minute.  They are so pretty in their red fabric poufs, with the cigar band label inside. Adorable theme too - Cotton Blossom Soap. They even included my name and website information!! Which wasn't actually part of the deal, but so much appreciated.

She was kind enough to share a couple of photos of them at the big event, and thought you'd like to see them too. Great stuff all around. Happy dance :)

Sneak Peek . .

The finishing touches are happening on the big Winter Holiday newsletter which will arrive in email inboxes early Saturday morning, and snail mail boxes probably Monday or so. The website will be updated and ready for early birds on Sat too, so stop by and check out all the new goodies. Just a sneak peek . . .

Tips for Keeping and Storing Soaps for Holiday Gifts

Buying handmade soap for the holidays? I probably haven’t shared this for awhile, but there are a couple of things to know about handmade soap and how to store it for future gifting. 

The bars are constantly “curing” meaning they are continuing to harden and evaporate moisture as they age. This is good, because it means that your bar will last longer if it has aged a bit more. But it also means that the bar may shrink a bit in size.  

More importantly, they should never be stored in something that is airtight – like a ziplock plastic bag. If moisture is accumulated in the bag or tight space, it may cause the soap to transform – changing the scent, creating spots, causing any of the fresh ingredients to “turn” or make the oils go rancid. You will notice this as an “off” smell or the bar itself will be oily or oozing. At that point, it’s still usable and not harmful, but it won’t be pleasant smelling either. 

Since my bars have so many fresh ingredients and extra emollient oils, the best rule of thumb is to give it and use it within a 6-month window. Many will last a year, but to be safe, go fresh. And tuck it into a drawer or linen closet shelf while it waits – that way you get nicely scented linens (or undies!) as a bonus. Nothing too warm, no direct heat or light, just a bit of air and quiet resting time.

If you ever have questions or concerns about the products, please don't hesitate to contact us! And our new-ish FAQ page has all kinds of answers to a pretty awesome list of questions too.

Which soap dish works the best?

Oh yeah, I’ve heard this one a bunch. Standing over the pile of soap dishes, picking up one, then another, turning it over, staring at the bottom, holding it up, looking some more. Then turning to me, completely bewildered as to which one to buy, they ask, “which one is the best?” – hoping that I will stop the madness and just hand over the perfect one. It’s not hard. And basically they all work the same. But I don’t know where you keep your soap, so we have to do a little back and forth. I’ll cut the guessing game short and cover all the basics here.

Why this kind of dish

I have two styles on the web site, but often have one or two more styles at any given show. All of the dishes are either draining, with slats or holes, or ridged, allowing the soap to dry out between uses. This is helpful in adding longevity to your soap bar. Kind of obvious, but soap sitting in water tends to get soggy, slimy and melt more quickly.  Nobody wants to grab that mucky pile of goo to clean up with. So little cupped dishes or bowls that hold water are not the best place to store your soap at the side of the sink, or in the shower.  Look for something that allows the water to drain out, or holds your bar up and out of any little puddles. My soap bars are hard, and they last approximately three times longer than commercial soaps, but still – if you’re going to pay a little extra for the soap, you want to get the most out of it, amiright?

What it’s made of

These are made of beechwood, which is a pretty darn tough wood, used for furniture and flooring too, similar to oak. It’s attractive in that natural, organic, non-fussy way that we’re pretty fond of here in the Pacific Northwest. It won’t break like a glass or ceramic dish, becoming dangerous in a wet, slippery bathroom. And contrary to expectation, it really will last a long time too. They are all coated with a tough, durable poly finish, making it waterproof and resistant to mold, mildew and fungus. They are easily cleaned of excess soap residue with a little warm water. No, they will not last forever (nothing does). Yes, wood will eventually break down in a wet environment. But we’re talking years, not weeks. And at the super cheap price of $4 each, can be easily replaced when your old one begins to look a little tired.

How to choose which one

When it's time to pick a new soap dish for yourself,  there are a couple of factors to consider. First, size. Lots of people seem to be looking for something to set the soap on inside a little built in compartment in their shower wall. I guess you need to eyeball that. If your space is more open, then size isn't an issue, but where it is located and who is using it makes a bigger difference.

Tub sides, shower shelves and countertops are different spaces for dishes. If you have issues with water draining through the bottom onto a surface, then choose the ridged style instead of the ones with holes or slats. You know your own family best – if there’s usually a lot of water splashing, suds ahoy, and you want to keep your counters less messy, take this into account. All of them will work well, so consider your own cleaning preferences, your family’s habits, the surface you are placing it on, and it will be clear (hopefully) which one will suit you best. And if you still have questions, I can still talk you through it, just give me a holler.

Need a new soap dish?  Head over HERE.

Jetted Tub?

Ok, so more on the Dead Sea Bath Salts. I missed an important bit in my blog post yesterday. So I've edited it to add in the answer to the jetted tub question . . . 

(here in case you missed it: http://randomsuds.blogspot.com/2014/07/dead-sea-salts-they-are-not-dead.html)

Top question - can they be used in a jetted tub? The answer is a very definitive, um, "maybe." First and foremost, it's important to check with your spa manufacturer since the internal working of each one can be different. You want to make sure that using the salt in your jetted tub will not void your warranty or get you in "hot water" so to speak. But having said that, the salt is all-natural, unrefined, with no additives and goes through an extra inspection process to remove any little rocks or foreign bits. They dissolve so quickly and easily that by the time you can drop your towel, the water will be silky smooth, and with a quick swish, you will be able to tell if there is a tiny little pebble on the bottom somewhere before turning on the jets. If you've used bath salts in your tub before, these will be no more risky. You are probably the bigger expert on how your particular spa works, way more than I am. But I've been assured that for most circumstances they will be perfectly fine.

Dead Sea Salts. They are not dead.

I’ve gotten so many questions over the years about the Dead Sea salts, but probably my favorite is “why are they dead?” So let’s start there. The salts are not dead.  They come from the Dead Sea and when you’re talking about the good stuff, these soaking salts are truly unique.

What It Is

For over two thousand years (dude, that’s biblical times) the Dead Sea has been revered for it’s therapeutic, beautifying, miracle-working waters. Located between the countries of Jordan and Israel, the Dead Sea is the deepest hyper-saline lake in the world, having a total salt concentration that is 10 times higher than ocean water. Situated 1280 feet below sea level, it’s actually the lowest place on earth.  The Dead Sea also has a unique composition of brine, comprising magnesium, potassium and calcium chlorides in addition to a high concentration of bromides.  Its rich, briny water is so thick with mineral salts that it actually feels like oil. People float effortlessly in its dense waters, bobbing like corks, making it difficult to even swim in. If you're headed there, bring a book.  You can float on your back and read as if you've got the best air mattress in the world.

What It's For

Dead Sea salt is beneficial in so many ways, alleviating skin problems, joint problems, pain, and much more.  Skin, being the largest organ of the body, absorbs the salts, minerals and compounds into the body, having a positive effect on circulation and metabolism. Arthritis, eczema, muscular pain, rheumatism, and psoriasis are just some of the conditions that are benefited by long soaks in these rejuvenating salts. As it has for centuries, the Dead Sea continues to attract tens of thousands of visitors every year to its many resorts and treatment spas.

Physiological benefits:

•      Detoxification of metals, toxins and impurities trapped in the skin.

•      Stimulation of the circulatory system.

•      Relief of various forms of arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle, joint and back pain.

•      Relief of skin irritations and increase new skin growth.

•      Deep cleansing and moisture restoration.

•      Promotion of elasticity in aging skin.

•      Relaxation of nerves and reduction of stress levels.

Benefits of Dead Sea minerals and trace elements

Dead Sea salts contain more than 21 beneficial minerals proven to have significant physiological benefits. Some Dermatologists recommend Dead Sea salt baths for patients with psoriasis, eczema, and other dry skin conditions.

Sulfur: Plays a huge role in health of the body, including liver function, digestion and absorption of nutrients, plus maintenance of hair, skin and nails. Aids in conversion of toxins into non-toxins. Necessary for synthesizing collagen and allowing cells to breathe.

Magnesium: Important for combating both stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Essential for cell metabolism. Accelerates cell regeneration, tightens, tones, and retains moisture in skin.

Iodine: Maintains body's energy level. Vital for strong, healthy hair, skin, teeth and nails. Destroys toxins and aids in the property utilization of calcium and silicone.

Potassium: Energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Antibacterial and astringent properties. Aids in regulating water balance, assists skin in absorption and expulsion of waste products. Aids in regeneration and skin cell growth. Also regulates muscle contractions and the nervous system.

Sodium chloride: Promotes skin's proper pH balance. Protects against fluid loss and is a natural antiseptic. Sodium, like potassium, plays an important role in assisting cells absorb nourishment and expel waste. Sodium is also important for the lymphatic fluid balance, aiding immune system function.

Calcium chloride: Effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Alkaline and necessary for strengthening cell membranes and cleansing pores. Considered a building block for the corrective tissue under the skin's surface.

Bromine: Bromides ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Soothes and treats skin ailments. Contains antiseptic and purifying qualities and is also a natural antibiotic.

Chlorine:  Necessary to maintain correct balance of alkaline and acid in the body.  Vital for cell metabolism.

Bitumen: Natural tar that acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Zinc: Promotes collagen creation and aids in wound healing and protein synthesis. Beneficial for rosacea patients.

Other minerals and trace elements include: Strontium, silica, silicon, rubidium, selenium, molybdenum, phosphorus, manganese, lithium, copper, iron and sodium bicarbonate.

Soapworks Studio Dead Sea Bath Salts

Soapworks Studio uses 100% pure Dead Sea salt -- unrefined, solar evaporated and harvested from the Southern Dead Sea in Israel where the mineral content is the highest. They are packaged in 16 oz plastic bottles for ease of transport and safety in the bathroom - meaning they are lighter to carry or ship, plus no fear of breakage. At $8 per bottle, these are some of the most reasonably priced Dead Sea salts you will find anywhere. Period. Because I want people to use them. Often. And not have them just gathering dust on the bathroom counter because they are too precious or pricey. (Go grab yourself some of them here.)

How To Use Them

Since these are so concentrated, you don't need to toss in the entire bottle for one bath. A small handful or quarter cup works fine, especially for foot baths or a "regular" size bath tub. A half cup when you need a little extra pampering or you've got a great big soaker tub. And if you are treating a skin condition, use half a bottle and spend at least 20 minutes in the bath - repeating this several times a week (your dermatologist probably has a recommendation). Swish around to dissolve and dive in. Come out glowing and silky smooth.

Top question - can they be used in a jetted tub? The answer is a very definitive, um, "maybe." First and foremost, it's important to check with your spa manufacturer since the internal working of each one can be different. You want to make sure that using the salt in your jetted tub will not void your warranty or get you in "hot water" so to speak. But having said that, the salt is all-natural, unrefined, with no additives and goes through an extra inspection process to remove any little rocks or foreign bits. They dissolve so quickly and easily that by the time you can drop your towel, the water will be silky smooth, and with a quick swish, you will be able to tell if there is a tiny little pebble on the bottom somewhere before turning on the jets. If you've used bath salts in your tub before, these will be no more risky. You are probably the bigger expert on how your particular spa works, way more than I am. But I've been assured that for most circumstances they will be perfectly fine.

Hop in and spend some time soaking in a Dead Sea bath to relax, relieve stress and muscle tension, detoxify and increase circulation, soothe skin irritations, and enhance your skin’s own natural radiance.

Splash. Soak. Glow.