Ida's Soap Box

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.

Although no one really knows when soap was discovered, there are various legends surrounding its beginning. According to Roman legend, soap was named after Mount Sapo, an ancient site of animal sacrifices. After an animal sacrifice, rain would wash animal fat and ash, that collected under the ceremonial altars, down to the banks of the Tiber River where women would wash clothes.