have a hard time selling lard soap?

[beautifulbay]

Ok, I admit it, I like using lard in my soap....because there is no better way to get a nice hard bar of white soap.

However, I find it hard to sell....it seems to be a taboo thing lately. Everyone wants non-animal fat in their soap.

So, I see myself pulling it out of all of my soaps, completely. Only, now, I seem less satisfied with the feel of some of my soaps....
So I guess I need to either get used to it....OR....find a way to market soaps made with lard...

Anyone else having a hard time getting people to buy it? What works for you???

 

[MikeInPdx]

I think it depends on your customer base, the area you live in and the like.

A soaping friend of mine sells in the midwest, makes her soaps with mostly lard, and no one quibbles about animal fat. I doubt it would go as well here in Portland, with all the vegan friendly places and the like.

Personally, lard still makes lovely soap, it's my favorite base hard oil.

 

[Saltysteele]

I agree, Mike

I'm in Michigan, and of my friends and co-workers, none has made a stink of my soap being made with lard (I have not sold any, only given samples)

 

[Gramma Judy]

I also agree about locale. We are a farming state, so I think it might be more acceptable here, at least in my region of the state. Also, after I explain to them about sodium tallowate on their storebought soap labels and what it is, they don't seem to mind.

 

[TheSoapyEwe]

I'm live in the Ozarks(Missouri) and I don't have one bit of problem selling my lye soaps, in fact, when people do read the label on the few I make without lard the want to know "where's the lard?"

I agree with the part of the country you're in might having a bit to do with it but don't let that deter you.
I'd take the approach,"Lye Soaps....just like Grandma used to make, only better!"

I've had a few balk, but not many.....after I ask them if they eat meat and when they say yes, I mention that lard on the skin couldn't be as bad as lard in the body and go on to mention the wonderful moisturizing properties etc it has.

 

[Sunkawakan]

Could you rename, so to speak, the lard and call it something else that isn't so... I don't know, perhaps "annyoying"?? to those who are against animal fat. I looked it up in the thesarus and didn't come up with anything. I suppose you could call it "lārdum" [Latin] but some how I think they'd figure it out pretty quick.

Also, perhaps another way of explaining it to them is that using lard is respectful to the animal, because otherwise the fat would be thrown away and this way its being turned into something useful.

I'm not all thrilled with using animal fats, but I prefer to use products that contain names I can easily pronounce and identify and that do not contain harmful chemicals. Lard is hardly harmful, and lye becomes isnt harmful when its turned into soap. You might remind them that your soap is all natural and doesn't (I'm assuming) have any of the nasty preservatives and other chemicals you find in store bought soap.

Good luck.

 

[fireweed]

Sodium Lardate

 

[TessC]

I personally wouldn't try to skirt naming it on the label, some of the people who love my soaps (I don't sell, only give it away to family and friends) don't care about the lard in the least, others don't want the lard soaps and only take the all-vegetable ones. I'm fine with that, something for everyone and nobody's being mislead.

 

[kittywings]

Could you rename, so to speak, the lard and call it something else that isn't so... I don't know, perhaps "annyoying"?? to those who are against animal fat. I looked it up in the thesarus and didn't come up with anything. I suppose you could call it "lārdum" [Latin] but some how I think they'd figure it out pretty quick.

Ummm... that's illegal.

You're supposed to use the INCI names, you can further clarify them, but you can't completely rename something, especially if it's to trick people.

 

[dagmar88]

as kittywings said; and thereby it is up to you to inform your customers well and rightfully. Let them make the choice to use lard, animal fats, palm, soy or any other ingredient. For them the ingredient might be contoversial or they could have allergic reactions...
And for your info; soap isn't all natural. But that's another discussion.

 

[IrishLass]

One of the positive things one can mention about lard is that it is much closer in structure to the natural oils found in human skin- much closer than most veggie oils. Also, hospitals use piggy parts in certain surgical procedures because of their high compatability with the human body.

As for re-naming lard- I know how tempting it can be to want to do so, but I wouldn't go there. The Jewish faith and the Muslim faith both reject piggy products as being un-kosher, and also- there's always the possibility that some of your potential customers might have allergies or sensitivities to lard. It's much better to be honest and let the chips fall where they may.

IrishLass

 

[fireweed]

Those are some really good points-- what a great forum this is

I did come across an online soap seller whose soaps I loved, and it did irritate me that she used all of the latin terms (and I had to look them all up). She wasn't using animal fats, so I think she was trying to get away from listing lye. But I'm in the UK so maybe the rules are different, though all sellers need certification for each and every product... I am surprised that the labeling rules aren't more strict!

 

[dagmar88]

INCI= International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients
and it does apply to the UK. So really, the woman should not use latin terms and labeling rules are very strict.

 

[Saltysteele]

I've only made lard soaps, and I tell my friends that I've given soap to or while telling them about what's in them, that I prefer lard soaps and how it leaves my skin. Upon trying the soaps (I've usually got some trim pieces for trying - which are perfect hand washing sized, to me), they're all fans, too.


my sister, while making soap with the nuns in Norway, used all ostrich oil, which is supposed to be the closest to human oil. why people would look at ostrich oil as being okay, and lard being bad/crude, is beyond me. Especially when you consider ostrich oil is to ostriches, as lard is to pigs. :roll:

maybe instead of "lard," i'll tell them there are swine oils in it, instead

maybe "manteca"

 

[beautifulbay]

Thank you for so many replies.

Tempting as it could be, I would not rename anything either, makes it look like you are trying to trick people, or skirt around the truth. Lard is just an ugly sounding name, because we know what it is.

You all had some great ideas, and I appreciate that. I will remember some of this when it comes up.

Swine oils! ..LOL!!

 

[Deda]

INCI incorporates scientific names

Olea Europaea Oil = Olive oil
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil = Castor oil
Cocos Nucifera Oil = Coconut oil

oftentimes it is Latin

 

[beautifulbay]

yes, I've noticed that too

 

[kittywings]

INCI incorporates scientific names

Olea Europaea Oil = Olive oil
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil = Castor oil
Cocos Nucifera Oil = Coconut oil

oftentimes it is Latin

I was going to say the same thing! I think that the lady fireweed was referring to probably WAS using INCI terms when she said that the ingredients were in Latin.

 

[madpiano]

Those are some really good points-- what a great forum this is

I did come across an online soap seller whose soaps I loved, and it did irritate me that she used all of the latin terms (and I had to look them all up). She wasn't using animal fats, so I think she was trying to get away from listing lye. But I'm in the UK so maybe the rules are different, though all sellers need certification for each and every product... I am surprised that the labeling rules aren't more strict!

It's the law to use those. You can add the english terms if you like, but it makes for some very long labels. It's not her being awkward, it's the INCI labelling rules

 

[fireweed]

Right, so I guess you can use either the scientific name or not in the UK (she did).

Here's her website-- she has some really cool products:

http://lomondsoap.com/page4.htm