FAQs

General FAQs

Do you make everything?
Yes! All of my products are made and packaged by me in my home studio. I also partner with my sister-in-law Nicole, who hand makes the washcloths, scrunchies, scrubbies, and soap saver bags you'll find on my site!

Where can I read product reviews?
I started my business on Etsy - please feel free to check out my Etsy shop where I have over 2,000 reviews!

How long does cold process soap last?
Handmade soap lasts for a long time, up to a year or more. Some scents do fade, but most remain strong for at least 4-6 months (and once wet in the shower you'll smell the scents even stronger). It really depends on how often you wash, but soap will last an average of 3-4 weeks in the shower and 5-6 weeks as hand soap.

How should I store my soap?
To ensure your handmade soaps last as long as possible, always keep them on a well-drained soap dish and allow the soap to dry between uses. Soap left in standing water can become soft and will not last as long. Store unused soap in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight if possible.

Are your products vegan?
All soaps are vegan except for Goatmeal (goat's milk and honey), as well as Honeybee (contains honey). Confetti and Mosaic are made with shavings/chunks from all of my soaps so might contain honey. Lip balms and lotion bars are made with local beeswax. All bee products are locally & responsibly sourced.

Are your products nut free?
No, all Botany Barn Canada products are produced in a facility that uses almond and other nut oils, so please be aware of this for those with severe nut allergies.

What is sodium hydroxide & why do you use it?
Sodium hydroxide (also known as lye) is a key ingredient in producing soap - you can't make soap without it! Saponification is the process of converting fats, oils, or butters into soap by mixing them with lye. Once your soaps have been cut and cured, the lye that was present at the start of the saponification process is not present in the final product.

Soap Favour FAQs

How far in advance should I order my soap favours?
My standard turnaround time for soap favours is 4-6 weeks. Traditional cold process soap needs to "cure" before it is ready to use. During the curing process, water slowly evaporates from the bars allowing the soaps to harden. 4-6 weeks is the minimum amount of time required to complete your order and ensure it ships to you on time :) You're welcome to order further in advance if you prefer!

My wedding is in 2 weeks! Can you help?
Maybe! Send me a message to let me know how many soaps you need and where you're located so I can estimate shipping time. If I have the time and extra stock then the answer is yes! You will typically receive an assortment of the soaps I currently have in stock, rather than one variety. Please note it is unlikely I can fulfill a last minute order if you are located outside of Canada.

More guests are coming than I thought - can I add more soaps to my order?
If you give me enough notice (preferably 2 or more weeks before your dispatch date) then it shouldn't be a problem. However, if your order was for a custom batch (custom scent/colour) I may not have any extras. If you've ordered something from my main product line then there is a good chance I can add more to your order.

Can you match the soaps with my wedding colours?
Absolutely! Keep in mind I only use natural colourants in my soaps (e.g. clays & botanicals), so you can expect earthy, natural colours rather than neons or very bright colours. For example think cream rather than bright white, or mint green rather than lime green. Feel free to send me a picture of your colour palette and I can help you pick out your soaps.

Can I design my own label?
Yes! If you have something extra special in mind for your custom labels, you're welcome to design them yourself! Let me know if you'd like to go this route and I can send you the label dimensions. I use Adobe Illustrator to design your labels.

Can I pick up my order?
For sure! I'm located in Kincardine, Ontario. Send me a message to arrange for local pickup :)

Where can I see more photos of your work?
You can find photos & full descriptions of each type of soap in the Bar Soap section of my shop. You can also view the photo gallery on my website, or check out my Instagram account where I post photos of custom orders each week! If you have something particular in mind you'd like to see, just ask!

How should I store my soaps until my event date?
Store unused soap in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight if possible. If you live in a very humid environment, it may be best to store your soaps in an air conditioned room.