Health and Wellness
Q1. What are essential oils?
Q2. Why do you use lye for soapmaking?
Q3. Are your products suitable for people with sensitive skin?
Downside of Commercially Manufactured Products
Q4. Why should I use natural bath and body products?
Q5. Why should I use handmade soap?
Questions About Ordering
Q6. How do I place an order?
Q7. I don't live in Calgary, can I still place an order?
Q8. How long will it take to receive my order?
Q9. What methods of payment do you accept?
Q1. What are essential oils?
A1. Essential oils are completely natural substances which have been distilled or expressed from plants. Many people find these scents a refreshing change from the synthetic perfumes found in many products. Used for aromatherapy, they can influence both mood and health.
Q2. Why do you use lye for soapmaking?
A2. Many people are worried when they see that sodium hydroxide (lye) is an ingredient of soap.
Well, it’s not as bad as it sounds! ALL soap (even store-bought) is made using lye. If it wasn’t made
with lye, it’s not really soap. Some “soap” is actually detergent!
The process of making soap involves a chemical reaction between an acid
(in this case the fatty acids in vegetable oils) and a base (in this case sodium hydroxide, or lye).
This reaction is called saponification, and its products are soap and glycerin.
OILS + LYE = SOAP & GLYCERIN
In all our handmade soap, we include slightly more oils than are required to react with the lye.
This ensures that all the lye is consumed in the chemical reaction.
When saponification is complete, you have a soap that is enriched by the extra oils we included
and by the natural glycerin formed during the reaction.
So, even though lye is used to make soap, our finished soap does not contain lye.
Q3. Are your products suitable for people with sensitive skin?
A3. Absolutely! All our products are free of artificial preservatives. Many are scented with only natural essential oils and coloured naturally using spices, herbs, plant powders, or mineral pigments. Our Castile Soap is especially suited to people with sensitive skin, or other chemical sensitivities.
Q4. Why should I use natural bath and body products?
A4. We absorb many things into our bodies through our skin. Knowing this, we can try to limit our exposure to unknown and possibly harmful chemicals that may be found in commercial soap and other cosmetics.
Q5. Why should I use handmade soap?
A5. Glycerin is a naturally occurring product of soapmaking. Large manufacturers extract it so they can sell it as a valuable byproduct. In handmade soapmaking, this glycerin remains in the soap where it can benefit your skin.
Q6. How do I place an order?
A6. To place an order, simply visit the "Place An Order" page on this site. It will guide you through the steps of placing an order either by e-mail, telephone, or through regular mail.
Q7. How long will it take to receive my order?
A7. For local delivery (within Calgary city limits) we deliver on the third Thursday evening of each month.
If you need your order sooner, please call us to arrange for pickup, or to have your order sent by parcel post.
Q8. I don't live in Calgary, can I still place an order?
A8. Absolutely!
For Canadian Deliveries, we ship via Canada Post Expedited Parcel Service. We will provide a shipping quote with your order.
For International Deliveries, we ship via Canada Post International Parcel Service. We will provide a shipping quote with your order.
Q9. What methods of payment do you accept?
A9. We accept cash, certified cheques, or money orders. Make certified cheques or money orders payable to Scentsible Soapworks.
We accept personal cheques from Preferred Clients.
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