What does “true” soap, cold processed, and saponification mean?
Excerpts for the definition of soap, according to Wikipedia Encyclopedia are as follows: “Soap, consisting of sodium (soda ash) or potassium (potash) salts of fatty acids is obtained by reacting fat with lye in a process known as saponification. The fats are hydrolyzed by the base, yielding alkali salts of fatty acids (crude soap) and glycerol. Many cleaning agents today are technically not soaps, but detergents, which are less expensive and easier to manufacture.”
What this all means in layman’s terms, is that the cold processed method of making “true” soap is to mix a strong alkali (typically lye) with fats. Water serves as the vehicle causing a chemical reaction called saponification. After saponification takes place, the end result is crude soap (“true soap”) and glycerol/glycerin. It is important to note that once saponification, or the chemical reaction has occurred, there is no lye present in the final product.
The majority of commercial products available on the market today are made by large conglomerates, mass produced in huge batches using a manufacturing process that removes the glycerin, and adds fillers such as synthetic detergents, hardeners, colors, and other various additives. Why do they remove the glycerin? Because they can use it to make other things to be sold separately - basically, they make more money by removing it and using it elsewhere. But what they’ve really done is remove one of the soap’s moisturizing components. By definition, these products are not soap at all. The detergents contained in them are what typically causes very dry skin and the removal of the glycerin with its moisturizing properties doesn‘t help either. Detergents along with other additives can also cause irritations in some. True soaps such as ours, made using the cold process method, retain their glycerin and have no detergent fillers or other such additives. We actually add a little additional glycerin to our soaps.
A customer extremely sensitive to cleansing products writes:
"Enjoyed talking with you. I would like to submit my order. I was very relieved to see you on TV. I thought I would have to start using only water to wash with. Thank the Lord for you!”
-- Mary Sampson
For more information check out the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Cosmetics and Colors Fact Sheet dated February 3, 1995. Contained on that same USFDA Fact Sheet is an interesting article written by Harold Hopkins, editorial director of FDA Consumer, entitled “All That Lathers Is Not Soap”. This is worth reading.
What is melt & pour soap?
This is another important thing for you, the consumer, to be aware of. Melt and pour soap products are created using commercial soapmaking kits. Producers of these soaps often mislead the public with their advertising or labeling, by claiming that their products are “handmade”, or that their product contains “no lye”. In reality they are simply pre-made, commercial soap product kits, melted down, colored, scented, etc. and then poured into molds. These products are by no means handmade or made from scratch. The statement of “no lye” that some make, is extremely misleading. No “true” soap contains lye. As mentioned previously, after saponification occurs, there is no lye in the final soap product. Don’t be fooled or mislead.
#3 - Product Quality & Sound Business Practices
AMS places a huge emphasis on the quality of our natural soap products, the ingredients, and the processes involved in producing them. We take great pride in our personalized customer service, and in always operating our business in a responsible and helpful manner.
“Yes, I did receive the soap, and my son and everyone I gave it to is very pleased. Thank you so much for your concern. It is so nice to see that you take that kind of time out of your busy day to drop me a note. I really appreciate it. I will definitely order again. Thank you again!
-- Mary Ann Kirkland
For over a decade now, The Appalachian Milk Soap Company has realized revenue gains in each and every year of it’s existence. This doesn’t just happen by accident. This has come about through a combination of good ‘ol hard work, the offering of a wonderful product, and by treating others as we would like to be treated ourselves. We feel confident that these key factors have, and will continue to, set us apart from the rest. As mentioned previously - Simply try a bar!
“Thank you for completing my order. I enjoyed reading the company history and I am confident you will be very successful. I wish you well. Personally I think your traditional and personal values are going to set you apart and above the mere ordinary.”
-- Margie Babylon
