Handmade Soaps

Natural soap, what we’re famous for….
good, handmade soap makes an amazing difference in the feel of your skin, experienced right away. Green Pergola soaps are made from scratch by talented artists in our Tennessee workshop; a large majority of it still manufactured by the Green Pergola owners. Daily, vegetable oils are blended together with herbs and flowers and real essential oils and stirred in pots to create fragrant batches of luxurious, good soap.

Green Pergola soaps are completely vegetable-based with no animal fats added. Our own recipe consists of olive oil, coconut oil and soybean. (NEW - now includes shea butter) Since 1998, this unique and balanced blend has created a long list of satisfied customers who have seen a definite difference in the health of their skin. Many of our avid soap customers have reported they now have little or no need for lotions.

LAVENDERS, MILDS AND COMFORTING SOAPS  soaps:  Baby Soap, Chamomile Face Bar, Lavender, Lavender Lime, Lavender Orange, Lavender Rosemary, Oatmeal and Honey, Shea Butter Bar or Tea Tree Lime.	MINTS, UPLIFTING AND RENEWING SOAPS  soaps:  Eucalyptus, Garden Gate, Lavender Spearmint, Lemongrass & Clary Sage or Orange Spearmint.
SPICES, PATCHOULI AND EXOTIC SOAPS  soaps:  Lavender Patchouli, Pomander, Patchouli, Patchouli Mint, Spice Tea or Clove.	SPECIALTY, SHAVING AND MOSQUITO SOAPS  soaps:  oatmeal mint Shaving Bar,  Hikers & Campers or Solid Shampoo.
SOAP SAMPLERS, SOAP SETS  check out our 5-set soap sampler and our 3/4 pound bag of WHOOPS soap.	SOAP GIFT SETS  check out the different ways to give gifts of soap.

Additional Information:

Handmade versus “Over the Counter” Soap. What is the Difference?
The technical definition of soap is "the result of a chemical reaction between a fatty acid and an alkali solution." Fatty acids are the actual fat content of animal or vegetable oils; there are many different fatty acids which combine to make up different oils. The alkali solution is commonly known as lye and is usually sodium or potassium hydroxide. (sodium hydroxide creates bar soap, potassium hydroxide creates liquid soap) By this definition, soap must be made from animal or vegetable fats/oils and lye. However, note that in the finished product there is no free lye - it is all combined into the resulting soap.

In the 1940's chemists discovered how to change the molecular structure of some naturally occurring substances and also how to synthesize necessary components. What they discovered was called "detergent" (to differentiate it from soap). The big advantage to detergents then and now is that they work well in cold or hard water and can be formulated to clean specific types of dirt and stains. Modern detergents (known as syn-dets, or synthetic detergents) have become quite sophisticated and are seen in many, many forms. In fact, the majority of the cleaning products on the market are actually
detergents of some type or another. Even commercial bar soaps commonly contain all or part detergents. As a result of these developments, a common definition of soap has emerged. The common definition of soap refers to any product that bubbles and cleans, particularly if it is in a bar form. In our opinion, this is what has created the confusion over what good, real soap actual is. Hardeners, whiteners, lather boosters, chemical fragrances (sometimes with as many as 500 separate chemical components to create their unique scent) are often found in “over the counter” store-bought, “soap” or detergent bars. Sodium tallowate, a common ingredient in many manufactured soaps, is in fact derived from rendered beef fat.

Green Pergola soaps are completely vegetable-based with no animal fats added. Our own recipe consists of olive oil, coconut oil and soybean.

Coconuts (the source of coconut oil) are grown in tropical regions where they grow wild, but they are also cultivated in Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. The coconut comes from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), which is grown primarily in Malaysia as well as Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, and parts of India and South America.
Olives (the source of olive oil) is primarily a crop that comes from Mediterranean countries. While some olives are grown in California, 95% of olives and the manufacturing of olive oil is still a business centered around Italy, Greece and Spain.
Soybeans (the source of soybean oil) have been a crucial crop in Asian countries since before written records were kept. However, today, 45% of the soybean growing area and 55% of soybean production is done in the United States. The addition of soybean to our main soap recipe creates a stable, consistent lather and helps to support American Farmers.

BENEFITS OF PURCHASING HANDMADE SOAP – OVERVIEW
• artisan made by hand, not machine manufactured
• includes American-grown soybean product
• all vegetable oils, contains no animal fats
• most soap selections are vegan friendly
• less likely to trigger allergies
• scented with real essential oils derived from plants
• colored with mineral oxides (same substance as mineral makeup)

Frequently Asked Questions about handmade soap:
Q: Does your soap contain lye?
A: soaps, both handmade and store-bought are initially made by using lye (sodium hydroxide) or a similar caustic agent. The process of soapmaking is a chemical reaction. When made properly, no lye remains in the finished product; it is simply the catalyst needed for turning oils into soap.
Q: Will your soap help my eczema?
A: Soaps are not allowed to be promoted as having curative or medicinal properties unless they are treated as, and get tested and certified as, medicines. So, we are not allowed to answer with a “yes” or a “no”. But we have had several regular customers who have stated that the soap has helped with problem skin. This may possibly be attributed to the relatively natural ingredients in our soaps. It may be preservatives, colorants or fragrances in commercial soaps that cause unpleasant reactions. Our suggestion is for an eczema sufferer to try our mildest bar, Oatmeal-Milk-and-Honey, and see how it
works for their skin.
Q: Why do your soaps cost more than store-bought soap?
A: Simply, our soaps are created from expensive, luxury ingredients.
Q: How long does a bar of soap last?
A: Most couples tell us that a bar of soap lasts four to six weeks. This is based on using the soap according to directions, by not letting it stand in water; always use a vented or ribbed soap dish or shower caddy to allow the soap to dry between uses and last longer.