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APPLE LEEF FARM'S all natural Hand Made Soaps
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We have been making hand made soaps
for 15 years. We have learned a LOT in the process as to what makes a
most excellent soap, and we are eager to share that information! First of all, great soap comes from the finest and most natural of ingredients. We use all natural ingredients from the highest quality natural oils on down. They are safe, mild and good for your skin. We base a lot of our soaps on goat's milk. Goat's milk is easily absorbed into the skin, bringing moisture and restorative proteins. It has been called "nature's liposomes". Even more important, is the caprylic acid found in goat's milk.
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Caprylic acid helps to reduce the alkalinity of
soap to the level that more closely matches your skin, aiding in maintaining
the slightly acid condition necessary to prevent bacterial invasion.
Caprylic acid is also an anti-fungal as well as exhibiting a high fungicidal
activity against yeasts. Another property inherent in hand made soap is the natural glycerin. Most commercial soap makers skim this valuable product and sell it separately. During the saponification process, each molecule of oil is broken down into 3 molecules of soap and one of glycerin. Therefore, each bar of hand made soap is naturally 1/4 glycerin. Glycerin is one of nature's humectants, meaning that it has the ability to trap and hold moisture to the skin. |
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My soap is made by a process called “cold process”. High quality natural oils are combined with water and sodium hydroxide (the alkali). This mixture is stirred for hours until it “traces”, or thickens. At this point, extra oils (such as Cocoa Butter, Sweet Almond Oil or Castor Oil) are added, along with pure essential or fragrance oils for scent. The mixture is then poured into a large mold, covered and wrapped for insulation, and left to rest for 24 hours. During this time the mixture heats up, then cools down again. When it has cooled completely, saponification has taken place and the soap is no longer caustic or harsh. It is turned out of the mold, cut into bars, and allowed to sit uncovered for at least 3 weeks to “cure” - this hardens the bars and makes them last longer |
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Our soap inventory varies throughout the year.
Below is a list of the soaps we make 1.
ALF Apple Blossum Goat's Milk Soap The bars are priced by weight and usually cost between $1.80 and $4.50. |
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We make hand knit bathing cloths out of 100% natural certified organic colored cotton from FoxFibres. These gorgeous cotton cloths come in green and brown cotton (see photo above). An amazing feat of natural colored cottons is that with use, the colors get darker and richer with age. We always have a nice selection of these cloths in a variety of beautiful patterns. They are $5.00 each. Nylon scrubbies are a wonderfully sudsy treat in the bath. Our orange nylon scrubbies in the photo above are $2.00 each. |
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| One of the things I get asked frequently is, "Does this soap last like store bought soap". Then answer to that is a resounding YES, but it is also up to you. Hand made soap does not contain the chemical hardeners that commercial soap contains. And YES, it will eventually melt if left in standing water. BUT, it WILL last every bit as long as commercial soap, if you do not allow it to sit in water or moisture! We looked for a long time to find an all natural product to go with our natural soaps and cloths, and found these beautiful wood cut soap dishes. The water drains right away, and your soap is safe and solid! The natural wood, compliments the texture of our hand made soaps. They sell for $4.25. |  |
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Let us put
one of our gift baskets together for you. Choose a variety of our
soaps, scents (eau fraîche), lip balm, or bath salt, cloths, scrubbies and
natural wood soap dish. And for only $3.00 more, you get a very nice
woven basket filled with recyclable aspen shavings, plus a scented tea
candle of your choice and a natural raffia bow. Makes a wonderful anytime, anywhere, any occasion gift for that someone special. Call or email for discussing your special basket! |
TO PLACE AN ORDER:
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CLICK on the mailbox icon on the left and send us an email for current stock and prices. We ship USPS Priority mail, so be sure and send your mailing address with zip code. If the link does not work with your software, send an email to: leef@appleleeffarm.com |