Ida's Soap Box

Saying a soap is "handmade" says nothing about the quality of the ingredients or the knowledge and skill of the soapmaker! Also, handmade soap does not always mean natural soap. Chagrin Valley is not just another soap company. We are committed to healthy skin, healthy people, and a healthy planet.

People often ask, "Do you make glycerin soap?" or "What is the difference between your soap and glycerin soap?" The term "glycerin soap" is a misleading term. All true soap made from scratch is glycerin soap.

I was introduced to Chagrin Valley shampoo bars in the summer of 2006. I couldn't believe the difference in my hair after just one use. It definitely felt odd while I was washing (but I knew that was going to occur after reading tips on the site---thanks Ida!). Once my hair dried it had so much more body...

Canola oil has an oleic acid content similar to olive oil but also has a higher linoleic acid content. This produces an extremely conditioning and moisturizing bar with a creamy lather. We have received numerous emails over the years questioning our use of Canola Oil in our natural soap and shampoo bars. All Canola is not created equal. So, let’s clear up some misconceptions about the canola oil we use at Chagrin Valley.