Castile soap is traditionally made with olive oil and lye. It is known for its purity, simplicity, mildness and versatility and has been used for centuries for cleaning and bathing.
Its name comes from the Castile region of Spain, where it was first produced in the 11th century as a natural by-product of the Mediterranean region’s abundant olive oil production. Castile soap was highly prized for its purity, hardness, and ability to clean without drying out the skin. These qualities have stood the test of time, and today traditional soap-makers still favour olive oil in soap-making because of its many skin benefits.
Over time, soap-makers have often added other vegetal oils, such as coconut and palm oil, to vary the properties of their soaps, and the definition of Castile soap has extended to soaps made with plant-based oils as opposed to animal fats such as lard and tallow. However, we only use olive oil at Cape Soap. It enables us to minimize our carbon footprint because we are lucky to have a growing production of high-quality olive oil near our Cape Town workshop. And it is a lovely material to work with!
Using olive oil exclusively also enables us to reduce our energy input: we can work at room temperature because the oil is in a liquid state at room temperature. We use the cold-process saponification method, which relies on time rather than an external heat source to complete the reaction process.
Castile soap is a vegan and environmentally friendly option and is ideal for people with sensitive skin or allergies. Unlike commercial soaps and detergents, it contains no harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances or preservatives. It is hypoallergenic and gentle enough for infants and pets. It is made with vegetal and mineral ingredients and is entirely biodegradable. The lye (sodium or potassium hydroxide) completely transforms and disappears during saponification.
Castile soap is also a cost-effective and convenient option for people who want to reduce the number of cleaning products they use. Indeed, another benefit of Castile soap is that it can easily be used for a wide range of purposes. As a body wash, shampoo, facial cleanser, and hand soap, it cleanses and conditions skin and hair, removing excess oil without stripping the body of its natural oils. It can also be used as an alternative to shaving cream or toothpaste. Around the house, it is excellent for cleaning floors, dishes, countertops and laundry, effectively removing dirt, grime and stains while being safe for the environment and delicate fabrics such as wool and silk.
Castile soap inspired us to create the Cape Soap Co. range:
Castile soap is humble.
It is carefully handmade with olive oil and lye
mixed at room temperature, using very little water and energy.
Castile soap is useful.
It is discrete, yet always needed: to help clean the body, clothes and surfaces.
An essential presence in our daily routines.
We love its understated elegance!
