Frequently Asked Questions
What is soap and how do you make it?
True soap is a gentle cleaning agent made up of a combination of three ingredients in various combinations: fats or oils (which are acidic), a base or alkali (most often sodium hydroxide or lye), and pure water. When the oils and the lye are slowly and gently mixed together a chemical reaction takes place. This process is called saponification. The molecules separate and reattach themselves in a new and different pattern creating a new substance called soap. Curing the soap bars for a minimum of four weeks furthers the chemical reaction, creating a bar that will not only clean, but also nourish your skin.
What is the difference between soap like Dove and Siena Soap?
Siena Soaps contain only plant derived oils and materials, while Dove contains animal fats, petroleum derivatives, synthetic colorings and fragrances, along with chemical preservatives.
Compare for yourself!
| Dove’s ingredients | Siena Soap’s (basic aroma therapy bar) ingredients |
|---|---|
|
|
The ingredients listed above are all absorbed into your skin. Which will you choose?
What is the difference between fragrance oils and pure essential oils?
Pure essential oils are gently and methodically distilled, steamed, or extracted from dried or live botanicals. These oils also have a wealth of health and medicinal benefits. People have relied upon the healing and soothing properties of essential oils for centuries. The painstaking methods to extract these precious oils often cause the price of essential oils to be expensive.
Fragrance oils, in contrast, are chemical reproductions of the real thing and contain alcohol which is easy to obtain and inexpensive. They add no health benefit to the final soap product, and can cause allergic reactions, dryness, and irritated skin. Fragrances that are commonly labeled as “Natural” include the following: watermelon, peach, apple, kiwi, strawberry, lilac, and brown sugar.
How long do Siena Soap bars last?
Our soaps are long lasting, often up to one month if kept “high and dry”. We suggest you invest in a good soap saver dish and keep your soap out of wet puddles. Real soap needs to dry out between uses. Better yet, alternate between two bars of soap to keep one bar dry at all times.
Why are some of Siena Soaps different colors?
Commercial soaps are often colored with FDA approved artificial dyes and colorants. Laboratory tests have shown that these same dyes and colorants might contain carcinogens. They can also be the cause of irritated skin. Siena Soaps obtain their natural coloring from natural herbal ingredients used for their skin soothing and healing properties.
Are Siena Soaps safe to use on skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or acne?
Yes! Many people who suffer from these conditions have found that when they discontinue the use of products that contain harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and irritating dyes and colorants that their conditions improve and clear up. Try Siena Soaps and see for yourself!
Why did you choose Siena for your company’s name?
Siena Soap Company is named after St. Catherine of Siena. She is an amazing woman in history who is a timeless model and light, and it is through her life’s story we can learn how to live an upright life. She is often pictured with the lily, which we chose as our company’s emblem. The lily, one of the oldest flowers grown domestically, has been discovered in the tombs of kings and pharaohs from over 3,000 years ago. Also, since ancient times, the lily has been associated with purity. The lily is the ultimate icon for Siena Soap Company, for like the lily’s symbolism of purity, we continually strive to offer exceptional, 100% pure, and natural soap products.
Is my payment online safe and secure?
Your personal and financial information is encoded from the moment you enter it, and is transmitted over secure and protected servers. You can feel secure shopping at Siena Soap Company.
How can I order my products?
Ordering online using Pay Pal is the easiest way to place your order. You may also use your Mastercard or Visa when you place your order by phone: 612-227-5565. If you wish to pay by check, please email us first at mary@sienasoap.com. Please know that with payment by check, your purchase will not be shipped until your check has cleared our bank. All transactions are in US Dollars.
When will my order arrive?
All orders will be shipped within two business days from placing your order. (Orders sent by mail will be processed within two business days of cleared funds.) We do make every effort to ship orders the same day placed, or the next business day. Please allow extra shipping time for holidays, especially November and December. If an item is out-of-stock or if there are any other unforeseen delays, you will be contacted and given the option of substituting your selections, or to put your order on backorder status.
What is your shipping policy?
We ship anywhere in the continental United States with USPS services. For shipping to a PO box, outside the United States, or for rush service, please e-mail us to make arrangements.
What is your return policy?
We offer 100% guarantee on all of our products. If you are not happy with your Siena Soap purchase please return the unused product with a note stating why you are returning it and we will happily refund your money, or provide a substitution, less shipping and handling. Please remember our soaps are handcrafted, so they are nicely shaped, but they are each one of a kind and not perfect. Refused orders are subject to all shipping charges.
