Natural Soap: Ginger Lime & Oats
$4.10 - $11.95
- Out Of Stock
Natural Soap: Ginger Lime & Oats
Natural Soap: Ginger Lime & Oats
A fresh, energizing soap scented with ginger and lime essential oils, made with avocado oil, unrefined shea butter, and oat flour. This creamy bar creates a soothing, lotion-like lather, leaving skin feeling refreshed, softly polished, and comfortably moisturized after washing.
$11.95
- Out Of Stock
Product Overview
Good For: All Skin Types
Ginger Lime & Oats is a soap that wakes up both skin and senses. It’s fresh without being sharp, warm without being heavy — a lively bar that feels just as good in the morning as it does after a long day.
The lather is creamy, with finely ground oat flour and wheatgrass providing a light, satisfying texture. As you wash, the exfoliation feels gentle and controlled, more of a soft polish than a scrub. Afterward, skin is left feeling smooth, refreshed, and comfortably moisturized — never tight or overworked.
The aroma is where this soap truly comes alive. Ginger brings a warm, spicy depth that feels grounding and energizing, while lime adds a bright, zesty lift. Together, they create a scent that feels clean, vibrant, and quietly spa-like — fresh enough to invigorate, warm enough to linger.
This is an everyday bar with a little personality — approachable, uplifting, and easy to love.
Ingredients Behind the Feel
Every ingredient in this soap is chosen for a reason. Thoughtfully combined, they work together to create something richer than a simple cleanse — a carefully crafted bar that goes beyond ordinary soap.
Highlights of this recipe:
- Unrefined Avocado Oil — A rich, nourishing oil that contributes to the soap’s creamy feel and smooth glide.
- Unrefined Shea Butter — Adds richness and creaminess to the lather and brings a smooth, moisturizing feel to the bar.
- Oat Flour — Produces a creamy, non-exfoliating lather that calms delicate or sensitive skin.
- Wheatgrass — Adds a mild, conditioning element, a soft green hue, and a fine texture that blends smoothly into the lather.
- Essential Oil Blend — Ginger and lime create a scent that feels warm, fresh, and energizing.
Aroma, Texture & Lather Notes
- Aroma: Bright and zesty with warm, spicy undertones — fresh lime balanced by grounding ginger.
- Texture: Lightly textured due to wheat grass
- Lather: Creamy with fine bubbles that carry the exfoliating wheatgrass evenly across the skin.
- Exfoliation: Mild — a light polish.
👉 Learn more about our Aroma, Texture & Lather notes
Formulation Notes
- Generously superfatted for a mild, creamy cleanse
- Designed for sensitive, reactive skin
- Formulated for the body, it may be suitable for facial skin
- Wheatgrass provides gentle exfoliation
- Naturally scented with certified organic essential oils
Fresh citrus. Warm spice. A gentle exfoliating bar with a bright, energizing lift.
How To Use
What Should I Use With My Natural Soap to Clean My Body?
The purpose of soap is to combine with oil and dirt on the body, which allows water to wash it away. The method you use to cleanse your skin is really a personal preference. We thought we would share just a few examples.
Bar Bathers rub the bar directly on their skin to create a creamy lather. Massaging the velvety lather into your skin before rinsing allows you to experience the best moisturizing properties of the soap. This is definitely the best way to use exfoliating soaps.
Hand Latherers create lather in their clean hands and use the lather to massage and wash the skin. This gentle, mild cleansing method may be good for those with sensitive skin.
Washcloth Washers use a washcloth to lather up. Washcloths are made out of lots of different textile textures, from soft cotton to agave fibers, and can provide very gentle to intense exfoliation. Be sure washcloths are laundered and dried often.
Puff Polishers use a mesh puff that works up a foamy, bubbly lather, even with hard water, to wash and gently exfoliate the skin. Poofs make natural soap last longer but can harbor bacteria, so rinse thoroughly after use and replace every few weeks or clean per manufacturer's instructions.
Loofah Latherers love their loofahs that exfoliate and help increase circulation. Whole loofahs can be breeding grounds for bacteria, so be sure they dry out properly after use and replace them every two months. If you would like something less abrasive, check out our Bath & Body Accessories.
Soap Sackers place their soap into a nylon soap bag. The fibers have a smooth texture for gentle cleansing. Soap sacks can be used for whole bars of soap or scraps that would normally be thrown away.
There is a large variety of bathing accessories available. If using any accessory, never share them with others and replace or clean them often.
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Effective, Feel Good Ingredients
The goal is simple: to Harness the Power & Simplicity of Nature® to cleanse, soothe, heal, and protect your skin and hair!
Our unique formulas rely on moisturizing oils and butters, healing botanicals, and pure essential oils. We choose every ingredient with one end-result in mind….the BEST possible natural skin care for YOU!
Featured Ingredients
Organic Avocado Oil
Avocado Oil is a rich, plant-based oil that helps moisturize and soften the skin while supporting a smooth, hydrated feel. Naturally high in fatty acids and vitamins, it adds conditioning properties to soaps, balms, and hair care products, leaving skin and hair feeling nourished and well hydrated.
Read More
Avocado Oil is a rich, plant-based oil that helps moisturize and soften the skin while supporting a smooth, hydrated feel. Naturally high in fatty acids and vitamins, it adds conditioning properties to soaps, balms, and hair care products, leaving skin and hair feeling nourished and well hydrated.
Read More
Organic Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a time-honored skin soother that gently calms irritation, relieves itching, and supports the skin’s natural barrier. Rich in natural anti-inflammatory compounds, it helps soften dry, sensitive, or reactive skin while providing mild cleansing and comforting care for all ages.
Read More
Oatmeal is a time-honored skin soother that gently calms irritation, relieves itching, and supports the skin’s natural barrier. Rich in natural anti-inflammatory compounds, it helps soften dry, sensitive, or reactive skin while providing mild cleansing and comforting care for all ages.
Read More
Organic Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is rich in chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support calm, healthy skin and scalp. Used topically, it helps soothe irritation, refresh dull skin, and nourish hair and scalp—while naturally contributing soft green hues to natural soap and shampoo bars.
Read More
Wheatgrass is rich in chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support calm, healthy skin and scalp. Used topically, it helps soothe irritation, refresh dull skin, and nourish hair and scalp—while naturally contributing soft green hues to natural soap and shampoo bars.
Read More
All Ingredients
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*Ingredient is Fair Trade Certified ^Used in the saponification process to turn oil into soap and glycerin. None remains in the finished product.
Made with Organic Avocado Oil, Wheatgrass & Oats
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Overall rating: 4.9054055 / 5 from 74 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This moisturizing soap offers a spa experience with a ginger-lime scent, praised for its lovely aroma and skin-nourishing properties. Customers appreciate its soft and creamy texture, thanks to unrefined avocado oil and virgin shea butter. The oatmeal exfoliates gently, leaving skin feeling soothed and refreshed.
Summary topics
- Aroma (25%): A significant amount of customers expressed satisfaction with the scent, describing it as lovely, delightful, and great.
- Skin Feel (20%): Many customers appreciated how soft and nourishing the Avocado Oatmeal soap feels on their skin.
Review topics: [quality, feels, ingredients, smells, skin, customer service, face, service, soap, combination, lather, website, bar, lotion, experience].
Review highlights
- "The oatmeal gives the bar a nice scrubbing quality while the lather and fresh scent are both amazing!" —
- "The smell alone is a great factor." —
- "The Avocado Oatmeal soap is soooo skin nourishing!" —
Reviews
I love the sweet lime
"I love the sweet lime with the sharp ginger!"
Nice for kitchen odors
"I’ve been using this in the kitchen to wash away cooking smells. I find it’s excellent for this with hint of scrubbiness but I’m not sure this scent combo is something I’d want to smell in a shower - not because it’s bad, but just my personal scent preferences."
Natural ingredients
"A very nice, very subtle smell which feels great on the skin. And the natural ingredients are a plus."
"Great smell 😋 I like this soap a lot"
Good stuff
"All of the bar soap I have tried are really good. Some last longer than others. I wish they were less expensive."
Great Combination
"This is such a great combination of avocado, oatmeal, and more! Just as all Chagrin soaps are. I only want to buy organic soaps, and the quality that goes into making them at Chagrin makes them so special."
"Great soap"
Amazing
"I love the scent of ginger. All of your soaps they never dry my skin, it always leaves them soft ."
I can’t do this
"Great product"
"Gave this one to my mom as a gift."
Q&A
- Can you tell me if the essential oils you use in your soaps from a reputable company such as doTerra? Because I know that not all oils are created equally.... the ones from drugstores/Walmart are mainly synthetic and are potentially harmful ...Thanks ~
- Hi Dee, Thanks so much for your question! We understand your concern! All essential oils used in any of our products are sourced from very reputable companies and are organic and in the purest form we are able to find! They are not synthetic and contain no harmful chemicals, preservatives or fillers. Hope this helps! Thanks again for reaching out and please contact us anytime with additional questions or concerns! -Christina, Chagrin Valley
- Can this be used as facial soap?
- Hi HP, Thanks so much for your question! You can certainly use the Avocado Oatmeal soap as a facial soap. Whenever trying a new product on your skin, we recommend doing a patch test on a small area just to see how your skin reacts to the new product. Everyone's skin is so different and what may work for one person will not necessarily work for the next. Hope this helps! Thanks again for reaching out and please feel free to contact us at any time with additional questions!
- Can you use your soap bars as shampoo? Specifically the avocado, oatmeal & shea one?
- Good Day! We don't recommend using our soap bars as shampoo. The quantity of fats and oils in the bars are different, and for most hair types our shampoo bars are too rich and heavy. If you are looking for a one bar for hair and body solution, it is best to choose a shampoo bar that is best for your hair type, as use the shampoo bar as your body soap as well. (Again, our body bars are richer in moisture etc. so it will not be as moisturizing for your skin). Here is a little more info on the difference: https://www.chagrinvalleysoapandsalve.life/blog/posts/what-is-the-difference-between-soap-bars-and-shampoo-bars/ Thanks so much for asking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are All Handmade Soaps the Same? Why Choose Chagrin Valley?
Aren't all handmade natural soaps the same? . . .
The answer is NO!
Saying a soap is "handmade" says nothing about the quality of the ingredients or the knowledge and skill of the soapmaker!
Chagrin Valley is not just another soap and skincare company. We are committed to healthy skin, healthy people, and a healthy planet.
We are a USDA Certified Organic Company specializing in luxurious, organic, handmade natural soaps and shampoo bars rich in natural glycerin for healthier skin and hair.
It's all about the ingredients! Inspired by our love of nature, we use organic herbs, seeds, flowers, vegetables, fragrant spices, fruits, pure essential oils and purifying clays for their exceptional skincare benefits and to provide natural color, aromatherapy, texture, or gentle exfoliation. Nothing artificial, nothing synthetic, no GMO’s, just natural wholesome ingredients.
Chagrin Valley's Natural Soap & Shampoo Bars Are...
- all natural
- made with USDA Certified Organic ingredients
- handcrafted in small batches using the old-fashioned Cold Process Method
- made with sustainable and fair trade ingredients
- certified cruelty-free
- free of detergents
- free of synthetic fragrances
- free of synthetic colors
- free of artificial preservatives
- free of artificial foam boosters
- free of alcohol and petroleum products
- free of synthetic additives
- free of GMOs
- biodegradable
- mild and nourishing
- rich in natural glycerin
- magnificent long-lasting lather
- cured for 8 to 10 weeks
Our soapmaking process uses only natural and organic ingredients. Why add artificial ingredients to a handmade product?
"Are All Handmade Soaps The Same?"
"12 Reasons to Use Natural Soap"
View Answer Page
Why Customers Choose Chagrin Valley Soap
Why Use Chagrin Valley Natural Soap?
People choose Chagrin Valley Soap for many reasons, but they all begin with one simple belief: a soap can only be as good as the ingredients, knowledge, and care that go into creating it.
Here are twelve reasons our customers choose our handmade natural soap:
It's Real Soap
Every bar is made through the traditional process of saponification using organic plant oils and butters—not synthetic detergents.
We Begin with Exceptional Ingredients
We use certified organic plant oils, botanicals, clays, herbs, and pure essential oils chosen for their unique benefits.
We Leave Out Ingredients Your Skin Doesn't Need
No synthetic detergents, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, filler ingredients, or unnecessary additives.
Our Soap Helps Keep Skin Naturally Moisturized
High-quality oils, generous superfatting, and naturally retained glycerin help create a mild, conditioning bar.
The Scents Come from Real Plants
Every scent begins with a real plant—not a synthetic fragrance oil.
At Chagrin Valley, we scent our soaps only with pure botanical essential oils. Many of our recipes also include aromatic herbs, spices, flowers, and other plant ingredients that contribute their own subtle, authentic aromas.
We believe the scent of a soap should reflect the integrity of the ingredients that go into every bar.
Our Recipes Support Healthy Skin
Gentle cleansing and thoughtfully selected ingredients help respect your skin's natural balance.
Our Soaps Create Rich, Creamy Lather Naturally
Beautiful lather comes from carefully balanced plant oils—not synthetic foam boosters.
Quality Is Worth the Investment
An extraordinary bar of soap isn't made by accident. It begins with exceptional ingredients, expert formulation, and the patience to let every bar fully cure—creating a bar that does far more than simply cleanse your skin.
Our Soaps Are Kinder to the Environment
Organic ingredients, minimal packaging, and concentrated bar soap help reduce environmental impact.
Every Recipe Has a Purpose
Each bar is formulated to achieve a specific balance of cleansing, lather, conditioning, and skin feel.
Our Company Values Are Built into Every Bar
Organic certification, ethical sourcing, cruelty-free practices, and sustainable choices reflect our commitment to doing things the right way.
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
You are supporting a family-owned business committed to craftsmanship, transparency, and educating customers about natural skincare.
We do it all ourselves--from start to finish--from our hands to your hands--from our family to yours! Thank you!
🌿Want to learn more? Read our complete guide: Why Use Natural Soap? 12 Reasons to Choose Chagrin Valley Soap.
View Answer Page
How To Wash Your Hands To Help Stay Healthy
Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says that for good hand hygiene all you need is plain soap and water.
Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community.
Five simple and effective steps can help reduce the spread of illness so you, your family, your friends and the general public can stay healthy.
Hand washing is a win for everyone . . . except for the germs!
CDC recommends cleaning hands in a specific way to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. The guidance for effective hand washing was developed based on data from a number of studies.
Wash often and follow these five steps every time you wash your hands!
1. Wet your hands with clean, warm running water and apply soap.
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When dealing with cold and flu viruses, as you wash your hands the soap molecule burrows its way into the fatty envelope of a virus and literally pulls the virus apart.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
- Soap and friction help lift dirt, grease, and microbes—including disease-causing germs—from the skin so they can be rinsed down the drain.
- Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Lathering and scrubbing hands creates friction, which helps lift dirt, grease, and microbes from skin.
- The entire hand should be scrubbed. Microbes are present on all of the wrinkly surfaces of the hand, especially under the nails.
- How long are 20 seconds? About the amount of time it takes to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- The ideal length of time for handwashing can depend on other factors for example, if hands are very dirty or if you are caring for someone is ill.
- Evidence suggests that washing hands for about 15-30 seconds removes more germs from hands than washing for shorter periods.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- If you are using a public restroom use a paper towel to turn off the faucet after hands have been rinsed.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
To date, studies have shown that there is no added health benefit for consumers (this does not include professionals in the healthcare setting) using soaps containing antibacterial ingredients compared with using plain soap.
Information is taken from the CDC.gov website
Read our blog "Simple Soap Can Help Decrease the Spread Of Viruses"
View Answer Page
Why We Use Stutzman Farms' Oat Products
Our Local Grain Partner
Stutzman Farms
Nestled in the heart of Ohio’s Amish country, Stutzman Farms is located in Millersburg, within the rolling farmland of Holmes County. The farm is run by Monroe Stutzman, who grows and mills organic grains using traditional, time-honored methods that prioritize quality, integrity, and care.
Stutzman Farms focuses on local, organic farming and operates an on-site stone mill. Their grains are never bleached and never treated with bromate or preservatives—just clean, thoughtfully grown food processed with respect for the ingredient and the people who use it.
Many of their customers follow gluten-free or alternative grain diets, and the farm is well known for its sprouted rolled oats and spelt flour. Monroe also uses a fascinating piece of equipment called a “puffer,” which gently puffs grains like rice and corn—products that are then lightly sweetened and sold throughout Ohio.
The Stutzman family’s commitment to craftsmanship extends beyond grains. Monroe’s brother, Arlie Stutzman, operates "Ice Shanty Cheese", producing cheese made from 100% grass-fed cow’s milk—another example of the family’s dedication to traditional methods and responsible agriculture.
Why This Matters to Us
At Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve, we believe small businesses are the backbone of our communities. Local farmers and makers bring deep expertise to their craft, take pride in their work, and understand the value of doing things right—even when it takes more time and effort.
By sourcing our organic oats from Stutzman Farms, we support a farming family that shares our values: transparency, sustainability, and respect for both people and the land. It’s one more way we stay connected to our ingredients—and to the community that helps make our products possible.
View Answer Page
How Long Will A Bar of Natural Soap Last?
Short Answer
How long a natural soap bar will last depends on:
- how many people are using it
- how often you bathe or shower
- how you use the bar
For one person showering every day, a well-drained bar should last for about one month.
Longer Answer
Natural soaps are normally softer than commercial soaps because they retain their natural glycerin (which is removed in commercial soap production) and contain no artificial hardening chemicals, synthetic waxes or free alkali.
We also superfat our soaps (add extra oils or butters) and use "softer" oils so that Chagrin Valley natural soaps are more emollient and leave skin feeling moisturized.
Different oils impart different qualities to soap. Some add lathering qualities, some moisturizing, some hardness, and so on. Compared to other natural bars, we use a larger percentage of extra moisturizing and conditioning oils in our soaps and shampoo bars. These oils produce a bar that may not be as hard as bars with less conditioning oils.
How you use the bar will also affect its lifespan. For example, do you use a washcloth, an exfoliating accessory, or only the bar? Although exfoliating loofahs and sponges are great they will use up the soap much faster than a washcloth or the "only the bar" purists.
Our Natural Soap Will Last A Long Time With Proper Care
- Don't let your soap sit in water
- Store soap on a well-drained soap dish
- Allow soap plenty of fresh air to dry between uses
- Never place soap where shower water can continuously hit it
- If your bar ever gets waterlogged and becomes gooey, simply set it on a draining soap dish or stand it on its edge for a few days and let it dry out thoroughly
Cute Story: A customer called to say she loved our soaps but could not buy them anymore because they did not last as long as other soaps. A week later she called to place an order and apologize. Her husband, who would NEVER use her natural soaps before, fell in love with her new Juniper soap . . . and he showered twice a day!
To maximize the life of your soap, keep it in a well-drained soap dish so it can dry between uses.
We sell a handcrafted solid white oak soap dish. The deep ridges are perfect for keeping your all natural handcrafted soap dry between uses. White Oak is the wood used in shipbuilding.
A tip passed on by one of our customers whose kids always leave the soap in a water puddle: cut the large bars in halves. Then alternate the halves, allowing a longer drying time between uses.
View Answer Page
Why Does the Smell of Natural Soap and Shampoo Bars Made with Essential Oils Change?
My natural soap bar doesn't smell the same as the last one
We sometimes receive emails that go like this:
-
I just reordered [some soap]. It is my favorite bar but it does not smell the same. Did you change the recipe?
- This name of this bar is "lavender . . . " but I smell more of the other essential oils than lavender. Why do you call it lavender?
The good news is that when you purchase natural soap from an organic skincare company, it is scented with only pure essential oils.
The bad news is that when you purchase natural soap from an organic skincare company, it is scented with only pure essential oil.
The scent of an essential in any totally natural product can and will change over time and from batch to batch.
Essential Oils are a Natural Ingredient
Essential oils come from nature. The quality and scent of essential oils are affected by yearly weather conditions and varies from crop to crop and region to region.
This makes it very difficult to produce finished products in which the scents are always exactly the same.
Most commercial soaps (and skincare products), even some of the "natural" ones that contain some essential oils, are made with at least some synthetic fragrances oils, nature identical oil, or natural fragrance oil. Using any synthetic fragrance ensures a more consistent scent.
Essential oils are temperamental to work under any circumstance. But while a natural essential oil scent blend may change a bit in a cream or oil, these blends are especially unpredictable when making cold processed natural soap.
After all my years of soap making in never ceases to amaze me just how much the actual soap making process changes the scent of an essential oil blend.
Natural Soap and Essential Oils
Why We Use Only Real Plant Essential Oils?
Natural Fragrance Oil? . . . Really?
Why Are Synthetic Fragrance Oils So Popular?
View Answer Page
Don't I need to use antibacterial soap to protect my family from germs?
The Short Answer
NO! Adding antibacterial chemicals to soap does not keep your family safe from germs.
I understand why folks (especially those with children) are choosing products labeled “Antibacterial,” hoping to keep their family safe in the war against germs.
According to Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).
"Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water.
In fact, some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term.”
Simply washing your hands with old-fashioned natural soap and water rids your skin of most fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Soap does not kill germs, it surrounds them and carries them away.
The Long Answer
Please read our blog: Antibacterials: More Harm Than Good!
View Answer Page
Do Your Natural Soap And Shampoo Bars Have An Expiration Date?
The Short Answer
Yes And No!
Although handmade natural soaps usually get better with age, we recommend using our soaps within 12 months of purchase. Our scented soaps should be used within 3 months after removing them from the box.
Although the soaps will not be "spoiled" after that time, you may notice some changes as natural soap ages.
- some natural colors may fade over time
- the scents from pure natural essential oil scents will fade over time
The changes in color and scent happen even more quickly in our sample size bars.
These small natural soap bars have a much greater surface area to volume ratio which allows essential oils to evaporate from the surface more quickly. However, the scent may still be there when you lather up.
I have found some ancient bars hiding in my closet that years old. The scents were gone, but the lather was incredible!
The Long Answer
For a more detailed discussion please read our blog, "The Shelf Life, Color & Scent of an All Natural Soap."
How You Can Help Prolong Shelf-Life
-
Natural soaps need to breathe. Exposure to air promotes hardening of your soap and contributes to longer-lasting quality. Soap should be left unwrapped in their boxes or wrapped with breathable materials. Tight wrappers cause humid conditions by preventing evaporation of moisture.
- Our soaps are packaged in breathable, recyclable, sustainable packaging! Keep your natural handmade soaps in a dry, cool place away from sunlight, excessive heat and humidity.
- Our scented soaps, like Lavender Rosemary, can be placed in a muslin bag, old clean sock, or wrapped in a piece of cloth and put in your linen closet or dresser drawer to give a delightful fragrance to your linens and clothes while waiting to be used.
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Biodegradable Natural Soap?
Are Chagrin Valley Natural Soaps and Shampoo Bars Biodegradable?
Yes, they are!
Chagrin Valley natural soap and shampoo bars are made with natural and organic ingredients and are biodegradable when used properly.
They’re thoughtfully crafted to break down naturally in the environment, which makes them a responsible choice for everyday use and for outdoor adventures when used with care.
What Does “Biodegradable” Mean?
By definition, biodegradable means capable of being broken down by living organisms, such as naturally occurring bacteria, into simpler substances that are not harmful to the environment.
Natural soap made with plant oils, butters, and clays can biodegrade efficiently — but where and how it’s used matters.
A Note for Campers and Backpackers About Biodegradable Soap
Bringing a biodegradable soap on a camping or backpacking trip is a wonderful way to stay comfortable and refreshed outdoors. However, even biodegradable soap should never be used directly in lakes, rivers, or streams.
You may see claims online suggesting that biodegradable soap or shampoo is safe to use directly in rivers and streams.
While these claims are often made with good intentions, they overlook an important part of how biodegradation actually works.
Here’s why:
The bacteria responsible for breaking down natural soap live primarily in soil, not water.
That means soap — even biodegradable soap — breaks down most effectively when it comes into contact with organic soil, not freshwater sources.
Even biodegradable soap will pollute lakes and streams if it is not used properly.
So while our soaps are biodegradable, they are designed for mindful outdoor use, not for bathing, washing dishes, or cleansing directly in natural water sources.
How to Use Biodegradable Soap Responsibly Outdoors
A few simple practices help protect waterways and support natural breakdown:
- Carry water at least 200 feet away from lakes, rivers, and streams before using soap.
- Use soap sparingly — a little goes a long way.
- Always dispose of grey water into the soil, not into a water source.
- Spread grey water over a wide area rather than pouring it all in one spot.
- You can gently scatter small amounts in an arc.
- Or pour the water into a small hole (similar to a cathole) so it can filter through the soil.
These methods help surround the soap with organic matter, speed up decomposition, and reduce runoff.
Is Natural Soap Really Better for Camping?
Yes — when used responsibly.
Many commercial soaps, body washes, shampoos, and dish detergents contain synthetic surfactants, artificial fragrances and colors, and chemical preservatives.
Since these ingredients do not break down quickly, traces can persist in the environment for many, many years and can have a potential negative impact on plants and animals.
A biodegradable natural soap made with plant-based ingredients breaks down more readily when exposed to soil bacteria, making it a far better choice for outdoor use — as long as it’s used thoughtfully and away from waterways.
A Simple Guiding Principle
Biodegradable doesn’t mean anywhere.
It means used with intention and respect for nature.
That philosophy is at the heart of how we make our soaps — and how we encourage them to be used.
There’s no substitute for nature. Together, we can protect it from impacts like overuse, trash, and harming endangered wildlife by following the principles of "Leave No Trace."
View Answer Page
What Do The Different Organic Symbols Mean?
We use two different organic symbols on our product labels and website
Each symbol has a unique definition!
The "certified organic" labeling has been developed by the USDA and refers to organic claims and labeling on food and personal care products in the United States.
The USDA has very strict guidelines for the percentage of organic ingredients necessary to receive organic certification. Other countries have their own certification procedures, requirements, and standards. Labeling criteria and allowable ingredients differ from those in the US.
The USDA uses a structured labeling system based on the percentage of organic ingredients in a product (excluding water and salt-NaCl).
Products That Use the USDA Organic Seal
The USDA Organic Logo Label can be used on products that meet the standards of the first two tiers of the organic labeling system, in which 95 - 100% of all ingredients are certified organic.
Most of our non-soap products fall into this category and display the USDA logo!
Products That Use OEFFA Seal
Products made with 70–94.9% Organic Ingredients are labeled “Made with Organic ___”
Products like our soaps and shampoo bars are 85–92% organic and fall into the “Made With Organic Ingredients” category.
Why Soap & Shampoo Bars? Because the soapmaking process requires lye — a non‑agricultural ingredient that makes up more than 5% of the formula — they cannot meet the 95% threshold, even though the rest of the ingredients are organic.
These products are not allowed to use the USDA organic seal. Instead, they may display the seal of our certifying agent and the words “Certified Organic by OEFFA.”
Chagrin Valley Soap is certified by OEFFA (Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association) — a nonprofit, USDA‑approved agency that verifies our organic ingredients and manufacturing processes.
Certified Organic Education Series
Explore related articles to learn more.
- Why Most "Organic" Soap Bars Aren't Labeled Organic: Organic Labels Don’t Tell the Whole Story
- Certified Organic Skincare & Labels Decoded
- Why We Chose USDA Organic Certification—and Why It Matters
- Organic Soap & Shampoo: What Really Matters
- Why We Believe in Natural Skin Care
View Answer Page
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- Out Of Stock
- Travel Size Bar 1.7 oz is Out Of Stock
Natural Soap: Milk & Honey Baby Soap
$7.95
- Out Of Stock
Lip Balm: Avocado Cream Lavender
$6.50
- Out Of Stock
Body Balm: Shea's So Fine
$15.50
- Out Of Stock
Lip Balm: Creamy Shea Butter
$6.50
- Out Of Stock
Shower Butter Bar: Cocoa Shea
$15.85
- Out Of Stock
Natural Soap: Coconut Shea
$4.10 - $11.95
- Out Of Stock
Whipped SHEA Butter: Simply Natural Scent
$19.50
- Out Of Stock
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