Orange Mint Goat Milk Soap
My soap has to meet many standards. These are my personal preferences:
- Mildness – The soap must not irritate the skin. Each new recipe is people tested. Other than washing with the soap, it is tongue tested. Touch a sliver of the soap to the tip of the tongue. Even the slightest zap means the soap is not mild.
- Hardness – I do not like super hard soaps because they seem to lack in other necessary qualities, however, I do not accept a soft bar of soap either. I expect a bar of soap to last more than a handful of rounds in the shower!
- Scent – First, I follow the safety guidelines that are established (by the IFRA, International Fragrance Association). Secondly, human comfort is priority. Do I want skin irritation caused by the dumping of excessive fragrance in a product? No. On the other hand, I want the product to correctly reflect the description that is depicted.
- Color – I lean towards natural color, provided by essential oils, herbs, and clays. I use colorants when necessary, with safety in mind. Color varies when creating natural products.
- Lather – I expect lather, but not tons of bubbles. Loads of bubbles tend to dry the skin out. I want a smooth lather, with a slick glycerin glide that leaves the skin feeling silky.
- Milk – I handle the milk with care from collection to the time it is used in a product. I taste test all of the milk before it goes into products. The milk must fit into the nearly-organic category.
- Size – A full-sized bar must meet a weight average (at the 4th and 6th week) of 4.2-4.5 ounces. Some soaps will continue to shrink as they lose moisture and harden, but they must remain within the correct weight range.
- Ingredients – I purchase from reliable suppliers that are quality, safety, non-animal cruelty, and regulation minded. All ingredients are stored in proper conditions, kept fresh in my shop.
If a soap does not fit into my quality standards, it goes to the discount section of my online store. I then clearly state why the soap is discounted.
If a batch of soap is not good enough for the store, it goes to the trash can, myself, willing friends, or someone in need.
That wraps it up for now…now you know my picky side. I don’t just make soap, I make soap that reflects my brand!
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
I know your soaps have come from high standards. 🙂 Thanks for being picky!
Thank you, Joanna.
One day this week I realized, as I checked the soaps on the curing rack, and as I tested the new wine soap, there is an unwritten method to my madness. So, I put it in print.
And your commitment to quality in all aspects of soap making and marketing, shows.
I love your wonderful soap and all the tender loving care you put into it.
XO
~ Alix
Thank you, Alix. I appreciate your thoughtful support.
Very interesting and enlightening! I think you are very, very passionate about your soap and it shows, thank-you Mary, love your soap!
Yes, Kathy, extremely passionate about it.
I wish everyone could do what they have always dreamed of doing.
When I was 7, and fell in love with my first piece of handcrafted soap, I never dreamed I would be such a nut about it!
Just placed an order for my Christmas stockings! I am so excited to be able to give my kids these “natural” soaps. Thanks, Susan
Susan, I received your order. Wow! I think your kids are going to love their stocking stuffers!!
I appreciate your commitment too!! The soaps are wonderful, a testament, from your shop to our showers. 🙂
Lynnanne, have you had it with your patches of ice and snow that have moved through this week?
There is something to say about handcrafted soap…and I appreciate your thoughts and support!
I believe I’m north of you, but we haven’t had the ice or snow that you speak of… thank goodness!! I’m thinking the winter weather can hold off until around March 1… then we’ll be sure it won’t last too much longer. 🙂
Can you get that plan in place? Ha!
Yeah, I’m workin’ on it as we speak. lol Not sure that I’ve quite convinced the powers that be, though…
Keep trying…
And that will be what sets you apart from the others. I try to live by the old saying, “If you are going to do something, do it well”.
That could apply as you have set your standards.
Becky, absolutely.
A soaper asked, “How do you feel when a customer tells you how much they love your product?” I appreciate the feedback. Honestly, though, I stick with wanting to see the products that much better.