The Art of Soapmaking: A Look Back in History & How We Craft Ours at Cullowheegee Farms

Cullowheegee Farms
Nov 30
3 min read

The art of soapmaking. A woman adds texture to the top of freshly poured soap in a soap studio. — Sarah from Cullowheegee Farms topping freshly poured soap batter. Once hardened, the soap will be cut into loaves, then bars, and will cure on a rack for 4-6 weeks before being packaged and sold.

Soap has been part of human life for thousands of years, but its journey—from ancient necessity to everyday ritual—is nothing short of remarkable. At Cullowheegee Farms, we carry this tradition forward using the same foundational method that soapmakers have used for centuries: the cold process. What sets our bars apart is the unwavering commitment to purity, plant-based ingredients, and nature-inspired color and scent.

A Little History: Soapmaking Through the Ages

The story of soap begins long before modern skincare aisles existed.Archaeologists have found evidence of soap-like mixtures in ancient Babylon dating as far back as 2800 B.C. These early formulas—crafted from boiled fats and ashes—weren’t used on skin yet, but rather for washing textiles.

The ancient Egyptians refined the idea by blending plant and animal oils with alkaline salts to create cleansing balms. Their soaps were used for bathing, medicinal purposes, and ritual purification.

Centuries later, Roman bathhouses embraced soap as a staple of daily life, and by the Middle Ages, cities like Marseille and Castile became renowned for artisan soaps made from olive oil and other plant-based fats.

While industrialization eventually introduced synthetic detergents, dyes, and artificial scents, traditional cold process soapmaking survived—protected by small makers who valued craft over shortcuts. We’re proud to be part of that legacy.

Our Cold Process Method: Tradition Meets Nature

Cold process soap making is one of the oldest ways to create soap, and it’s the method that gives our bars their creamy lather, rich conditioning qualities, and rustic artisan charm.

Here’s how the process works—and what makes ours special:

1. Plant-Based Oils & Fats

Unlike conventional soap makers who may use tallow, palm oil, or synthetic ingredients, we choose only high-quality, plant-based oils and fats. These are the foundation of every bar we create.

Each oil brings its own benefits:

Olive oil: gentle, moisturizing, and soothing
Coconut oil: big, fluffy lather and deep cleaning power
Shea butter: creamy richness and skin-loving nourishment

This blend creates a balanced, luxurious bar that’s both effective and kind to the skin.

2. Natural Saponification

Cold process soap is created when oils are blended with a natural alkaline solution, setting off a chemical reaction called saponification. Over time, oils and lye transform into soap and glycerin—nothing else needed.

This slow-curing process (about 4–6 weeks) allows our bars to harden naturally, become milder, and last longer.

3. Essential Oils for Scent

We don’t use synthetic fragrances—ever.Instead, we scent our bars using pure essential oils distilled from plants, roots, resins, and flowers. These offer:

Aromatherapy benefits
A naturally subtle scent
A gentle experience even for sensitive skin

From lavender to peppermint to earthy blends, each bar captures the essence of nature.

4. Natural Colorants

Every color in our soaps comes straight from the earth—never dyes or micas.We use ingredients like:

Clays
Herbs
Spices
Plant powders

These add beauty without compromising purity or simplicity.

Why We Make Soap This Way

For us, soapmaking is more than a product—it’s a craft. A commitment to clean ingredients. A celebration of simplicity. And a way to connect what we make with the land and plants around us.

When you use a bar of Cullowheegee Farms soap, you’re experiencing: