I get lots of questions about releases and soap in general…

So let’s get those out of the way in one easy-to-digest page! :)
 

HOW CAN I BUY YOUR SOAP?

Come to a local show, I keep a list of my shows on our FB page so you can see where we will be each weekend. Or you can check out our online shop and buy what we have available on our website. I will say I get behind on updating the website often and will try to be better about that.

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OH NO! I CHECKED OUT TOO FAST, AND CLICKED LOCAL PICKUP, NOW WHAT?

Don’t fret, this happens all the time, You will just get an invoice from me as we are packing up orders. If you catch it before I do, just shoot me an email. It happens, and it’s nothing to worry about!

 

I DIDN’T GET THE SOAP I WANTED, WILL YOU MAKE IT AGAIN?

The short answer is, maybe.

The long answer is… I tend to remake good sellers, but that doesn't mean each batch will look the same!

HOW MUCH DO YOUR BARS OF SOAP WEIGH?

On average, all soap that leaves here weighs at Least 4.5 ounces, often a little more. If a particular design/soap is under or over that, I usually note it in the description as that usually comes with a price differential also.

WHAT IS HAND MADE SOAP?

Soap is made from a combination of water(milk in our case), lye (sodium hydroxide), and oils. When these ingredients are combined, a chemical reaction takes place called saponification. During the saponification reaction, the triglycerides (fats and oils) react with the lye producing glycerol and soap. When hand-made soap is properly prepared, mixed, and cured there is no lye remaining in the soap after saponification.

WHY SHOULD I USE HANDMADE SOAP INSTEAD OF COMMERCIAL SOAP?

Generally speaking, handmade soap does not include any additives, synthetic preservatives, or other chemicals unnecessary to the saponification reaction. Commercial soap typically isn’t “soap” at all, and instead is made from synthetic detergents. These detergents are popular as they form suds easily when mixed with water, however, they may strip the natural oils from your skin as they clean, leaving your skin feeling dry and tight after use. All of the additives found in commercial soap may cause your skin to become dry, irritated, or otherwise damaged. Hand made soap is crafted from primarily natural products and fats and does not include any detergents, phthalates, or parabens. It is 100% biodegradable, and many ingredients are often organic.

Today, there are very few true soaps available on the commercial market. As soap is such an important part of everyone’s daily routine, choosing soap that is handmade reduces the amount of synthetics and chemicals you are exposed to. Choosing soap from The Home & The Herd also helps reduce waste and reduce the chemicals we release into the environment. We pride ourselves on being hand-made, detergent-free, palm-free, and having a low carbon footprint. Our breathable wrapping is biodegradable!!!

CAN I USE HANDMADE SOAP IF I HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN?

Handmade soap is typically very gentle on the skin and does not include any detergents or synthetic ingredients like those found in commercial soap. We cannot guarantee that you will not have irritation or a skin reaction to handmade soap, and encourage you to test it in a small area of your skin if you are prone to skin reactions. We also offer fragrance-free soaps, which are recommended for those with more sensitive skin. 

DO YOU TEST YOUR PRODUCTS ON ANIMALS?

While all of our products contain animal products we do not test them on animals. But our pet shampoo has been tested by our pets and it worked awesome. They are sad they have never gotten a bath bomb bath but I saved those for my two-legged animals aka my kids!!!

DO YOU USE ANIMAL PRODUCTS IN YOUR SOAP?

We have two main recipes, Both of which contain animal products! Our standard recipe includes lard in the oils used for saponification. Our 2nd recipe includes Shea and cocoa butter so no lard but both recipes contain milk, yogurt, or honey. All our soaps contain fresh raw goat milk from our Herd goats. All of our products contain milk either in liquid form or freeze-dried.

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HOW LONG WILL A BAR OF HANDMADE SOAP LAST?

The life expectancy of your bar of soap will vary depending on how often you use it, and how it is stored. The typical life-span of a bar of handmade soap that has been cured is around 2-4 weeks or longer, assuming daily use! You can help extend the life of your bar of soap by ensuring that it is stored in a soap dish or other well-drained location where it is not sitting in standing water, allowing the bar to dry completely between uses, and using a washcloth or shower puff to apply soap to your body instead of rubbing the bar of soap directly on your skin. The longer soap has been allowed to ‘cure’, meaning the older the bar of soap is, the longer it tends to last! Soap does not “go bad” or expire (arguably, it actually improves with age), so there’s no reason to throw away those old bars!

DO YOU ALLOW REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES?

Unfortunately, due to the nature of our products, we do not offer (typically) refunds, and we never can offer returns or exchanges. If there is a problem with your order or you feel like a mistake was made, please reach out to us immediately and we will do our best to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY SHIPMENT?

Domestic orders ship using US Priority Mail or First Class Mail. Our orders are generally processed and mailed out within 1-5 business days. If multiple orders are placed, we will make efforts to combine orders to reduce shipping costs.

You will be provided with a tracking number once your order ships. Please use the tracking number to check for updates as to when you can expect your package. The Home & The Herd is not responsible for packages that are missing, stolen, or otherwise misplaced by USPS. Please make sure your address is up to date and correct when completing your order. If you notice an error in your address or information after you have placed an order, please reach out to us using the “Contact” link immediately.

CAN I BUY YOUR SOAP IF I DON’T LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES?

At this time… no. 🥺 The Stringent cosmetic laws in other countries are such that even selling/shipping to them could land the company, and me, in serious trouble.

IS HANDMADE SOAP CONSIDERED A COSMETIC PRODUCT?

All soap produced by The Home & The Herd is not considered to be a cosmetic product. Our soap is intended to be used to superficially cleanse the skin, however does not claim to be moisturizing, antibacterial, or to leave behind a residual fragrance on the body. While users of handmade soap may prefer how their skin feels after using it versus commercial soap or may feel that they experience a benefit from using handmade soap, we do not make any claims that our product is intended for use other than as soap.

To determine whether or not soap is considered a cosmetic product by the Food and Drug Administration depends on a few factors, namely what it’s made of, what ingredients cause it to clean, and how it is intended to be used. Per the FDA’s definition (per 21 CFR 701.20):

To meet the definition of soap in FDA’s regulations, a product has to meet three conditions: 

1. What it’s made of: To be regulated as “soap,” the product must be composed mainly of the “alkali salts of fatty acids,” that is, the material you get when you combine fats or oils with an alkali, such as lye.

2. What ingredients cause its cleaning action: To be regulated as “soap,” “alkali salts of fatty acids” must be the only material that results in the product’s cleaning action. If the product contains synthetic detergents, it’s a cosmetic, not a soap. You still can use the word “soap” on the label.

3. How it's intended to be used: To be regulated as soap, it must be labeled and marketed only for use as soap. If it is intended for purposes such as moisturizing the skin, making the user smell nice, or deodorizing the user’s body, it’s a cosmetic. Or, if the product is intended to treat or prevent disease, such as by killing germs, or treating skin conditions, such as acne or eczema, it’s a drug. You still can use the word “soap” on the label.