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FAQs


The Casco Bay Soap Co. story:

I went from working in the corporate world as the Senior Photo Stylist for a major discount chain of stores to unemployment when the company went out of business. Always crafty and creative, I enjoyed making homemade paper, knitting, sewing, stained glass art, photography, cooking, baking and so much more.

In 2004, while making a geographical change (moving to the great state of Maine with my husband) I decided I wanted to learn to make my own soap after becoming more aware of how important a healthier environment, in and out of our bodies, really is. I saw other bars of homemade soaps, and I knew that I wanted to create great bars of soap for my family and friends.   I also had been told that my Oklahoma farm boy of a grandfather had made soap on the family farm with his mother and brothers. I knew that this was something fun I wanted to try.

I have always dove headfirst into a new craft, and not afraid to try something new. I took out books from library and scoured the internet for information. What started as a small hobby, soon grew into something more. After friends and family started buying bars of soap from me, they encouraged me to try the local Farmers Markets.
In 2007, with an entrepreneurial spirit, I jumped into the deep end and started my own business. Starting slowly with one table at the Saturday farmers market and only 8 different types of soap, the business grew.  I now offer over 50 different types of soap and wholesale to over 65+ retailers in the state of Maine and a dozen Nationwide.  I play the part of the soap maker, inventory clerk, business manager, sales staff, maintenance, web designer, label designer, blogger, and much more. Running my own business is something that I thoroughly enjoy. I am happy to produce such a great product for you and love seeing your faces and hearing your remarks on how much you love my soaps.
Using my own recipe, my soaps are made fresh, by hand, in small batches, the old fashion way. I stir good-for-you ingredients such as Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Essential Oils & Herbs and more, all in a kettle. I hand cut and cure the soaps for up to 6 weeks, for a long lasting bar of soap. Then hand packaging each bar with an informative label.

I do not use any animal products in my soaps. Casco Bay soaps are tested only by my willing family & friends, if they don’t like it, I don’t sell it.

I hope you enjoy my soaps as much as my family and friends do.

Shannon L. Grauer ~ Owner & Soap Maker Casco Bay Soap Co.

Contact Information

By email:

CascoBaySoap@aol.com

By standard mail: 

Please send email for this address, if needed.  Casco Bay Soap Co. location is not a public shop.

By phone:

207-730-3249 (between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Time)

How is my order and credit card processed?

Your order is all handled by me!  I am a one woman business and I process all orders, select the soaps, label, pack and ship.

Your credit card is processed through PayPal which is the service Casco Bay Soap Co. uses to collect your credit card numbers, expiration date and process your funds.  They transfer funds to Casco Bay Soap Co. so we can pack and pay for postage with USPS and then ship your order out.

Paypal is used world wide and allows you to use your Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express card.  You do NOT need an account with Paypal to use it.  Your card number and actually never shared with us, only on Paypal's secure website.

Which Carrier Do You Use For Shipping?

At this time, I am using USPS Priority boxes to ship all orders.  Due to some recent changes with United States Postal Service I can no longer offer a flat rate shipping for my customers.  I was offering everyone $8.75 for shipping anywhere in the USA.  Shipping to California, Nevada, Texas, Colorado etc. from Maine would end up costing me quite a bit out of my own pocket.  I am sorry to say that I cannot do that anymore.  All packages are now based on weight and shipping charges/costs will be assigned according to weight.  I am working with USPS on a better way to ship your items.  I am sorry if this prevent you from purchasing my soaps.  

Where does Casco Bay Soap Co. ship orders?

I ship our soaps anywhere in the United States.

Orders are filled in the order of which they are received. I fill most orders within one to four business days. If there is a delay I will to notify you.

Casco Bay Soap Co. ships packages using The United States Postal Service.  We use USPS package tracking with all our packages.

Casco Bay Soap Co. Policies

Refunds and Returns

Due to the personal nature of our items (soap) I do not accept returns. If you are unsatisfied with your soaps, please contact me within 4 days of receiving your order, and will do our best to assist you in a replacement or refund.   cascobaysoap@aol.com

Why do you add stuff to your soap?  I like my soap plain!

Sometimes I add botanicals, herbs, seaweed, cornmeal, oatmeal etc. for fun, but often for a reason.  I have customers that love soap with "stuff" in it, and others that don't.  There is plenty of choices for everyone.

Oatmeal for example has exfoliating and colloidal properties. For exfoliating, oatmeal flakes scrub your skin and the colloidal action of oatmeal binds moisturizing emollients to your skin so that it is softer. Oatmeal also soothes and reduces redness, itching and minor skin irritations.I generally add some the following items to some of my soaps: Poppy Seeds, Oatmeal, Ground Apricot Shell, Calendula Petals, Rose Petals, Kelp Powder, Corn Meal, Sea Weed, Sea Salt, and Clays.

Is your soap just for hand washing?

Not at all!  In fact use it every night to wash my makeup off, my husband shaves with it, and it can be used at the sink, in the shower or bath. Enjoy!

Do you have an suggestions for sensitive skin?

Alot of people with sensitive skin, have a sensitivity to the chemicals in the commercial bars of soap available now. But many also have a sensitivity to the fragrance of the soaps. I would suggest starting off with any of my Unscented soap.   As for a fragranced soap, I have received positive feedback on the Maine Oats & Honey soap. Please see the Special Purpose soap page for more information on these soaps.

Do You Use Fragrance Oils & Essential Oils?

Yes!  I use both.   All the Fragrance Oils I use are tested, skin safe and are from a very reputable supplier.  All my Essential Oils are also tested, skin safe and from a very reputable supplier.  I use both responsibly and carefully in my soap making following usage guidelines.   BOTH Essential and Fragrance Oils could cause irritation.  Just because it's an Essential Oil, that does not mean you may not experience a reaction.  Please read more below.

Here is some information regarding Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils:
 
Fragrance Oils are a mix of synthetics that mimic a scent in nature or often, come up with an entirely new scent. Fragrance oils may contain up to 80% essential oils but usually are predominantly artificial. There are over 5,000 raw ingredients to choose from when making up a fragrance oil.
 
Originally, perfumes and fragrance materials came from plants or animal sources. Finding a musk ox these days might prove difficult though. Also, there is growing concern about harvesting some raw materials, such as Sandalwood. However, in the late 1800’s the first synthetic fragrance material was produced. From here, an explosion of fragrance houses came about. Now, perfumes were no longer reserved for the rich!
 
Essential Oils are some of the most amazing products of our natural world. The oils of aromatic plants have been used for centuries for both their smell and their medicinal applications. But just because something is natural doesn't mean it's good for you. Essential oils are powerful chemical compounds. They may smell wonderful...but they need to be used (both by you, the soap and candle maker, and by the people who will be using your soaps and candles,) carefully and conscientiously.
 
 
If you are pregnant, it is warned to be extra careful with certain essential oils.  Please do some research and consult a doctor.
 
Both Fragrance and Essential oils could cause skin sensitivity or irritation in the end user.  As with any new product, test on a small area of your skin for sensitivity first. 
 
So, I use both Fragrance AND Essential Oils in my soaps.   All my Fragrance Oils are tested, skin safe and are from a very reputable supplier.  All my Essential Oils are also tested, skin safe and from a very reputable supplier.  I use both responsibly and carefully in my soap making following usage guidelines. 

Just ask if you only want Essential Oils, I can point out which soaps those are.

Can you tell me ALL of the soap fragrances that you make?

I can try!  While I do make well over 50 different types of soap, I do not have them all in stock at the same time.  I have seasonal fragrances that I make just for summer or for fall, so they are around for only a limited amount of time.  I also have some soaps that I make just to try something new and creative and they make a short appearance at market, craft fair or here on the website.  If they sell fast and are popular, I may add them to my list of regulars. 

In Stock And (Should Be!) Available All The Time - "Classics"
 
Berried Treasure
Blueberry Cream
Day At The Beach
Eastern White Cedar
Gyp-Sea
Sea Mist
Sea Shore Scrub
Lavender
Lake Side
 Maine Oats + Honey
Maine Pine
Mermaids Garden
New England Cranberry
Northwoods Trail
Spring Lilac
Summertime Citrus Scrub
Walk in the Woods
Wind + Water
Wild Sea Rose
 
Specialty Soaps
Salty Dog -Soap For Dogs!
Gardeners Scrub
Kitchen Scrub
Shaving Soaps (many different fragrances)
Plain Maine (Unscented)
Plain Maine With Oats (Unscented With Oatmeal)
Calendula (Unscented, made with Calendula oil)
  
Limited Editions (soaps I make when I Have extra time)
Pink Grapefruit
Sweet Almond
Lemongrass
Peppermint Oatmeal
Maine Meadow
Sweet Grass 
Lemongrass & Lavender
Peppermint & Rosemary
 
Seasonal Fragrances
Autumn Apple
Pumpkin Spice
Gingersnap
Cinnamon & Oats
Christmas In Maine
Star Anise
New England Bayberry
Peppermint Twist
Jack Frost
 

If you see something on this list that you really want and I don't have in stock, I am happy to make and fill an order of two dozen or more anytime you wish.   I have a schedule that I follow for production and it will require some advance notice or waiting time on your part.

Maine Made?

Yes, my soap, products and recipes are all Maine made, by me, in my Harpswell, Maine home.  I source some local products to include in my soaps - Oatmeal, Cornmeal, Seaweed, to name a few - and other products.   While I can't get all my soap ingredients from Maine (Olive Oil from Maine? Sadly, no) I use many Maine products as "add ins" for my soaps for exfoliation or skin soothing benefits.  I do purchase the bulk of my goods from a local business not too far from me.   I try to keep my purchases local and in the Maine economy when possible.

I belong to the amazing Maine Made Program which builds recognition for Maine products, their producers, and Maine industries.   Visit their website to learn more and find other great Maine Made products.   Maine Made - Americas Best!

https://www.mainemade.com/

Do you accept corporate orders? Wholesale?

Yes!  Please contact me. I would love to have a discussion with you.   I could get into trouble here, but no order is too large!  I will be honest and tell you that all I need is time.  I filled an order for 800 individual poured and packaged sea urchin soaps for a corporate event in Texas - all I needed was the time to do it!

We also offer bulk prices for large orders.

Do you offer special packaging or pricing for my upcoming wedding?

Yes!  We are happy to offer bulk pricing on our soaps and can work with you to create a special label for your event.  Please visit our page here on the site to see what we make for special events and contact us.