About Our Soap

What makes FLX Soap different from store-bought soap?

I make FLX Soap in small batches using the cold process method, and most of my bars start with beef tallow from a herd of Black Angus cattle raised right here in Palmyra, NY.

Tallow makes a really nice bar of soap: hard, long-lasting, and creamy without feeling fussy about it. After each batch is made, the bars cure for several weeks before they're ready to sell. That cure time lets excess water evaporate and gives you the hard, dense bar I'm looking for.

Is tallow good for sensitive skin?

A lot of people love tallow soap because it makes a mild, creamy, long-lasting bar, but everyone's skin is different. Fragrance, botanicals, essential oils, and other ingredients can also make a difference depending on your own sensitivities.

If you know you're sensitive to a particular ingredient, check the full ingredient list on the product page before ordering. And if you'd rather skip fragrance altogether, I usually have an unscented option available too.

Do you have vegan options?

Yes. Not every FLX Soap bar is made with tallow, and I do make plant-based soaps as well. Vegan bars are clearly labeled in the product listing, so you won't have to investigate the ingredient list like you're solving a tiny soap mystery.

Are your fragrances safe?

I use phthalate-free fragrance oils that are made for use in bath and body products, and I stay within the recommended usage rate for each fragrance.

That said, fragrance sensitivity is very individual. If fragrance isn't your thing, I also make unscented soap.

Why isn't every bar exactly the same size or color?

Each batch is made and cut by hand, so there will always be some variation in size, shape, and color. I aim for about 4.5 oz per bar, but batches can look a little different depending on the ingredients, clays, botanicals, and even how the soap behaves that day.

That's just part of making soap in small batches.

Using and Caring for Your Soap

Why does my bar feel so hard when it arrives?

That's a good thing.

Cold process soap needs time to cure, and I let every batch sit for several weeks before it goes up for sale. During that time, excess water evaporates and the bars get harder. A properly cured bar lasts much longer in the shower than one that's still soft and fresh.

How do I make my soap last longer?

The biggest thing is to let it dry between uses.

Don't leave your soap sitting in a puddle of water or on a solid shower shelf where it stays wet. A draining soap dish works great, and a sisal soap saver is another easy option. It gives you some extra lather and keeps those little end pieces useful instead of sending them down the drain.

How should I store bars I'm not using yet?

Just keep them somewhere dry with a little airflow and out of direct sunlight.

Soap actually continues to harden as it ages, so if your favorite seasonal bar is available and you want to stock up, go right ahead. I support this decision.

Wax Melts and Fire Starters

How do I use a wax melt?

Place a piece of wax in a wax warmer designed for melts. You can use an electric warmer or one made for a tea light underneath.

The wax itself should never be placed directly over an open flame.

What if my wax melt arrives a little soft or misshapen?

Summer shipping happens.

Wax can soften when it's sitting in a hot mail truck or mailbox. It may not look quite as pretty when it arrives, but it doesn't hurt the fragrance or the way the melt works.

Let it firm back up at room temperature, or pop it in the refrigerator for a few minutes.

How do I use the cedar fire starters?

Place one or two underneath your kindling when you're building a fire. They're made with cedar shavings and soy wax and are meant to burn long enough to help get the kindling going.

They're fire starters, though—not candles—so use them only in fireplaces, woodstoves, fire pits, or other places where you'd normally build a fire.

Ordering, Shipping, and Returns

How long does it take for my order to ship?

I usually have orders packed and on their way within 2–3 business days.

Weekends, holidays, markets, and the occasional week when I apparently think I have six arms can add a little time, but I try to get orders out as quickly as I can.

How much is shipping?

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the weight of your order and where it's going. I compare available carriers and use the option that makes the most sense, which is usually USPS and occasionally UPS.

There is currently no additional handling fee, and I ship within the United States only.

Can I pick up my order locally?

Yes.

Local pickup is available at our farm stand at 93 Stafford Road, Palmyra, NY, while the stand is open from late June through October.

If you're planning to see me at a market or festival, you can also contact me ahead of time and arrange to pick up your order there.

Do you accept returns?

Because soap and other body-care products can't be resold once they've left my hands, I don't accept returns on shipped orders and sales are final.

If there's actually a problem with your order, though, that's different. Please contact me.

What if my order arrives damaged or I received the wrong thing?

Send me a message as soon as you notice the problem and include a photo if something arrived damaged.

I'll take a look and figure out the best way to make it right, whether that's a replacement or a refund.

My tracking says delivered, but I don't have my package. What should I do?

Sometimes packages are marked delivered a little before they actually show up, so first check around your property, with anyone else in the household, and with nearby neighbors. If it still hasn’t turned up, contact your local post office or carrier. They can usually access more detailed delivery information than I can.

Once a package has been confirmed as delivered by the carrier, FLX Soap is not responsible for packages that are lost or stolen after delivery and cannot guarantee a replacement or refund.

Custom and Bulk Orders

Do you take custom or bulk orders for weddings, showers, or gifts?

Yes, but soap needs a little planning ahead.

Cold process soap has to cure for about 4–6 weeks before it's ready, so I recommend contacting me at least 6–8 weeks before your event. If you're looking for a large quantity, custom fragrance, special label, or particular packaging, even earlier is better.

If your event is coming up quickly, I may still be able to help, but we'll probably need to work with soaps that are already made and cured.

What do you need from me to get started?

Your event date, an approximate quantity, and any ideas you already have about fragrance, labels, or packaging.

You absolutely do not need to have everything figured out before you contact me. Even a date and rough headcount gives us somewhere to start.

Where to Find Us

Can I buy FLX Soap in person?

Absolutely.

Our farm stand at 93 Stafford Road in Palmyra, NY is open seasonally from late June through October, and I also do farmers markets, festivals, and other events around the Finger Lakes.

Check the Festivals & Markets page or follow FLX Soap on social media for wherever I've hauled the soap table off to next.

Do you sell wholesale?

Yes. I work with a small number of retail shops that are a good fit for FLX Soap.

You can see current stockists on the Retail Partners page. If you own a shop and you're interested in carrying FLX Soap, send me a message and tell me a little about your store.