Posts Tagged ‘Savon de Marseille’

Natural French soap bars, perfect for that holiday getaway
April 28, 2021

frence gift soapsThe weather this April has been lovely, albeit a little on the chilly side! I’m sitting in my garden in the gorgeous spring sunshine today, with my eyes closed dreaming about being on holiday back in Avignon, France. Here we’d be sipping wine, taking in the lively atmosphere, walking into the charming shops and losing ourselves in the hidden hideaways, great for postcard writing or just to collect our thoughts. It was lovely while it lasted and has got me in the holiday mood. Are you thinking of getting away on holiday too?

Natural French soap bars, perfect for that holiday getaway

At the French Soap Store, we have the perfect size soaps for a weekend getaway! Our 30g gift soaps are ideal, with twelve different scents to choose Natural french soap barsfrom. Or if you are going away for longer, then our 125g French Market soap bars, with 32 different fragrances are perfect.

Our new 60g soap bars come in thirteen different fragrances making them the perfect travel companion for any holiday at home or abroad. Each bar is made with nourishing plant oils, organic Shea butter and fragrances from Grasse. They last for ages and are wonderfully moisturising, while the all-natural formula will keep your body and conscience clean.

Extend the life of your soap with our organic hemp soap bag

To make your natural French soap last even longer why not buy our organic hemp soap bag? This bag is 100% natural, hygienic and odourless. It is Natural Hemp-soap-bagsuitable for washing, mild skin removal, massage and stimulating blood circulation. By placing your soap in the hemp bag you prevent slipping and wastage. When finished with just hang it up to dry. This bag helps save your soap from excess wear and tear and the very last bit can be used.

We also have some more great new products coming to the store soon and we are so excited to share these with you! Call Katie now on 07867 486402 or email info@frenchsoapstore.co.uk and she will be delighted to help.

 

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Step into spring with our natural French soaps
April 9, 2021

At the French Soap Store we are getting into the spirit of spring! Blow those winter cobwebs away and embrace all this time of year has to offer with the natural vibrancy and richness of our wonderful fragrances available in our luxurious natural French soaps.

Natural-french-soapsGive your skin that much needed boost

During the long winter months our skin has had to endure harsh, freezing temperatures and dry, hot central heating and now needs some much deserved TLC. So why not treat yourself or a loved one to one of our range of cruelty-free, vegetal, organic donkey milk soap bars? Our Cherry blossom soap bar combines the scent of cherry blossom with soothing donkey milk creating the best combination to heal dry and cracked skin.

For hundreds of years, donkey milk soaps have been used to help those with skin conditions such as eczema, so if your skin is feeling a little sore from the cold winter months then this will help you to feel rejuvenated ready for getting out and about this spring.

French Soap on a Rope Lemon Rotating Wall-MountedUse our natural French soaps for a spring ‘makeover’

For a fresh scented room and a way of supporting the environment, use our citrus infused lemon soap on a rope and step towards a plastic free household this Spring. This handmade Savon écolier (school soap) complements any bathroom and makes the room smell wonderful too. The rope sits comfortably around your wrist making it easy to use and helps the soap to dry between uses, which makes it last much longer.

Spring, with Easter just past, is a time of the year that focuses on rebirth, so why not use this as an opportunity for change and start using one of our solid shampoo soap bars? Not only will your hair feel amazing, but these shampoo soap bars are plastic-free and a zero-waste alternative to bottled liquid shampoo which will help reduce your impact on the environment.

Bamboo-soap-dishWhy not upgrade your bathroom with more natural accessories such as our natural bamboo soap dish holder? The bamboo allows this unique design to create an optimum environment for your soap helping it to dry quickly after use. And makes it easier to clean too.

So step into spring with our wonderful range of natural French soaps that can be for everyday use and we also have a wide variety of gift boxes for any occasion. Why not take a look and get 15% off your first order!

If you can’t find what you are looking for or you want a special personalised spring selection of French soaps made up from our French soap range then please call Katie on 07867 486402 or email info@frenchsoapstore.co.uk, she will be delighted to help.

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Uses for Savon de Marseille French soap
March 31, 2021

Savon-de-Marseille-natural french soapAfter our last blog so many of you have been asking about Savon de Marseille French soap and its uses. So here are some top tips for getting the most from this great versatile French market soap.

Savon de Marseille soap is a firm favourite in our house, due to it being so pure and gentle, and it has natural anti-bacterial properties, which is also a bonus! We have found it lasts twice as long as ordinary soaps. It can be grated, shredded or blended to be used in different ways around the home, so is great value too.

Homemade laundry soap

To make homemade laundry soap*, grate a cup of Savon de Marseille French soap and melt this into about 3 to 4 litres of boiling water. Take it off the heat to cool slightly then add about half a cup of bicarbonate of soda, stirring well until the soap is dissolved. It should look milk-like in colour. Pour the milky liquid into an empty bottle and it’s ready to use. We recommend shaking the bottle before use. The bicarbonate of soda will act as a softening agent in the water and fight help get rid of odours. You can also add half a cup of vinegar to the mix as this will act as a fabric softener too.

Savon-de-Marseille-french-soap*Quantities are approximate and for guidance only as can be adjusted to personal preference.

For stains, you can use the Anti Stain Savon de Marseille soap (Savon Detachant) which is specifically for removing stubborn stains. Or you can use the traditional Savon de Marseille soap just by rubbing the cube when slightly damp onto the affected area. Let the garment dry and then wash it as normal. This artisan French soap can be used for most stains, and with four children this gets used a lot in my household!

Cleaning art brushes

For the artists out there Savon de Marseille Artisan French soap is great for cleaning your brushes! Add warm water to the circular indent in the soap cube and rub the brushes, et voilà, beautifully clean! It also works on make-up brushes using the same technique.

Pest control for your summer plants

artisan-french-soapI love this one! I am not very green-fingered in the garden but this tip is great to know as it can be used on all plants including edible ones such as fruit trees and grapevines as once they are rinsed the fruit is safe to eat. It has saved our lime tree many times! In a spray bottle pop in 2 tablespoons of grated Savon de Marseille Natural French soap and fill up with hot but not boiling water. Shake the bottle until you can see all the grated soap has dissolved, and you have a great safe eco-friendly anti-pest spray. The soapy liquid is best stored in a spray bottle rather than a watering can.

So our luxury French soaps, made in Marseille, Provence, can be used in a variety of ways other than washing your hands and body.

We have a wonderful range of natural French soaps that can be for everyday use and we also have a wide variety of gift boxes for any occasion. Why not take a look and get 15% off your first order!

If you can’t find what you are looking for or you want a personalised selection of French soaps made up from our French soap range then please call Katie on 07867 486402 or email info@frenchsoapstore.co.uk, she will be delighted to help.

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The History of Savon de Marseille
March 18, 2021

Savon-de-MarseilleSavon de Marseille, also known as Marseille soap, has been around for over 600 years and is a staple in many households. It is known as the world’s best soap and contains many incredible cleaning capabilities while using all-natural ingredients.

First produced in Marseille, France, this solid soap is made entirely from natural ingredients using vegetable oils as the primary substance. It is documented to have been first made in 1370 by soap maker Crescas Davin. In 1593, Georges Prunemoyr opened the first soap factory producing Savon de Marseille when the soap demand was growing. By the 17th century, seven factories produced around 20,000 tonnes of soap every year.

The element that made this unique to the region was the Mediterranean seawater, as the salt content helped proceed the correct consistency for the soap bar.

A variety of oils were used in the production of Savon de Marseille soap

As Marseille is a large port town in France, many oils and fats were traded, which influenced the soap’s critical ingredients. It was no longer just the locally produced olive oil, but oils such as sesame, peanut, and copra became popular ingredients. Soda ash was used as a binder and sometimes sea salt too.

Savon de Marseille Olive 300gKing Louis XIV valued this ancient soap so much that in the late 17th century, he introduced regulations in the Edict of Colbert, stating that any soaps named Savon de Marseille must only use olive oil and had to be made in the region of Marseille. This made a name for the soap and has given the soap its prestigious reputation across the globe. However, in more recent years, the ruling for production has changed, and other vegetable oils are allowed to be used in production. The soap has still kept to its name; however, allowing the introduction of other oils allows for more experimentation and varied products.

By the early 1900s, around 132 soap makers produced Savon de Marseille in France. François Merklen is known for creating the formula that makes the soap we know today. His recipe was 63% copra oil or a substitute, 9% soda ash or sea salt, and 28% water. This recipe became the basis of forming the Savon de Marseille soap that is world-famous today.

Sadly after World War II, production didn’t pick up, as more synthetic detergents and household soaps were being manufactured for a lower price. As a result of the decline in demand, as of 2000, there are only five soap producers left in Marseille.

Environmentally friendly

Although there are fewer producers of Savon de Marseille, the global demand still exists. With more understanding of the environment, we have become aware of our waters’ pollution. As a result, natural soaps like Savon de Marseille are becoming increasingly popular as an environmentally friendly option.

The French Soap Store has a variety of Savon de Marseille soaps, all are handmade with a minimum of 72% olive or vegetable oil, this iconic natural block of soap can be used to clean everything from stone floors to sensitive faces. Shop now>.

Written by Becca Marsh

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