Frequently Asked Questions

 

What makes Greencastle Soap Company’s soap different from store-bought soap?

At Greencastle Soap Company, we make real soap the traditional way using the cold process method—a slower, more intentional approach that allows us to maintain the quality of our ingredients from start to finish. Each batch is handcrafted using thoughtfully sourced oils, butters, and farm-based ingredients like our own goat milk and locally sourced regenerative tallow.

Unlike many commercial “soaps” that are actually detergent-based cleansers, our bars are true soap. They’re designed to gently cleanse while supporting your skin, not stripping it. We also cure every bar for a minimum of three weeks, which creates a harder, longer-lasting bar with a rich, creamy lather.

The difference is something you can feel—clean, balanced skin without the tight, dry feeling that often comes from mass-produced products.

What is cold process soap and why do you use this method?

Cold process soap is the traditional way of making real soap by combining oils and lye in a controlled process called saponification. It’s how soap has been made for millennia, and it’s the method we’ve chosen to stick with at Greencastle Soap Company because it gives us complete control over what goes into each bar.

We’re able to select our ingredients thoughtfully —whether that’s nourishing plant-based oils, our own goat milk, or locally sourced regenerative tallow—and formulate each batch with intention. After the soap is made, it’s poured, hand cut, and then cured for a minimum of three weeks. That curing time is important—it creates a harder, longer-lasting bar with a rich, creamy lather.

It’s not the fastest way to make soap, but it’s the way that produces a high-quality bar that’s gentle, effective, and consistent.

Do you sell handmade soap online or only locally?

We offer both. You can shop Greencastle Soap Company products directly through our website, or visit us locally at our retail store, Maker’s Apothecary, in Spokane Valley.

If you’re in the area, our shop is a great place to see (and smell!) everything in person, pick up orders, or join us for workshops and events. You can also find a selection of our products at regional retailers like Huckleberry’s Natural Market, Rosauer’s Markets, and other local shops throughout the Inland Northwest.

Whether you’re shopping online or in person, we make it easy to get our handcrafted products wherever you are.

 

What ingredients are used in Greencastle Soap Company products?

We formulate our soaps around four distinct lines, each built with thoughtfully sourced ingredients and a focus on quality from start to finish.

Our vegan line is made with RSPO Certified Sustainable Palm Oil, Pomace Olive Oil, and Organic Coconut Oil—creating a well-balanced, long-lasting bar with a great lather.

Our *allow line features locally sourced, grass-fed beef tallow, combined with Pomace Olive Oil and Organic Coconut Oil. Tallow has been used in traditional soap making for millennia and is known for producing a rich, creamy, skin-conditioning bar.

Our goat milk soaps build on that same base of locally sourced tallow, Pomace Olive Oil, and Organic Coconut Oil, with the addition of Shea Butter, Organic Castor Oil, and fresh goat milk from our own farm. These bars are especially loved for their creamy lather and gentle feel—what we like to call *farm-to-shower*.

And finally, our craft beer line (Suds Bars) uses locally sourced, grass-fed tallow, Pomace Olive Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, and Organic Castor Oil, along with beer from local craft breweries. The beer contributes to a rich lather and makes each batch a little unique.

Across all of our soaps, we focus on creating bars that cleanse well, feel good on the skin, and reflect our commitment to responsible sourcing and traditional methods.

Do you offer tallow soap and what are the benefits?

Yes, we do. Tallow soap is one of our core lines at Greencastle Soap Company, and the way we source our tallow is a big part of what makes it special.

Our tallow comes from a fifth-generation regenerative family farm in Central Washington. The cattle are grass-fed and pasture-raised, and the farm operates with a full-circle approach—nothing goes to waste. Pastures are rotationally grazed, followed by chickens, and nutrients are continually returned to the land through composting and innovative systems like worm beds that naturally process waste and help support the farm’s orchards and crops. It’s a thoughtful, sustainable system that aligns closely with how we believe ingredients should be sourced.

The suet is carefully collected and rendered into tallow, which we use in our soap making. Tallow has been used for generations because it creates a hard, long-lasting bar with a rich, creamy lather. It also produces a well-balanced soap—cleansing without being harsh—so your skin feels clean but not stripped.

Like all of our soaps, our tallow bars are made in small batches and cured for a minimum of three weeks to ensure a consistent, high-quality product. It’s a traditional ingredient, sourced with intention, and crafted into a bar that performs beautifully for everyday use.

Do you offer soap making classes or workshops?

Yes, we do. We offer hands-on soap making classes and workshops at our retail store, Maker’s Apothecary, in Spokane Valley

Our classes are designed for both beginners and those who already have some experience but want to build confidence and refine their skills. We focus on cold process soap making and walk through everything step-by-step—from safety and ingredient selection to the full soap making process.

These are small, hands-on classes, so you’re not just watching—you’re actually making soap and asking questions along the way. We also share the “why” behind what we do, so you leave with a solid understanding of how to create a well-formulated bar, not just follow a recipe.

Whether you’re curious about soap making or looking to take it further, our workshops are a great place to start.

 

What can I expect during a soap making class?

You can expect a relaxed, hands-on experience where you’re actually making soap—not just watching someone else do it.

In our Intro to Cold Process Soap Making class, we walk through the entire process step-by-step. That includes measuring ingredients, safely working with lye, blending and pouring your soap, and understanding what happens during cure. We keep it approachable, but we don’t skip the important details—so you leave knowing not just *how* to make soap, but why it works.

For those ready to go further, our advanced classes dive deeper into formulating recipes, choosing the right ingredients, and troubleshooting common issues.

Every paid participant leaves with a batch of soap they made themselves, along with the knowledge and confidence to continue making soap at home.

 

Do you offer other classes or workshops?

Yes! In addition to soap making, we offer a variety of hands-on workshops at Maker’s Apothecary for people who want to explore other creative projects. Our monthly First Friday Make & Take Workshops are held on the first Friday evening of every month and focus on fun, non-soap activities. These workshops are often kid-friendly and a great way to try something new in a relaxed, social setting.

Whether you’re looking to learn a new craft, make a gift, or just have a creative night out, these workshops are designed to be fun, hands-on, and accessible for all skill levels.

Do you sell soap making supplies and equipment?

Yes! At our retail store, Maker’s Apothecary in Spokane Valley, WA, we carry a wide selection of soap making supplies and equipment for home soap makers. You’ll find everything from molds, tools, and base oils to fragrance and essential oils, plus other essentials used throughout the soap making process.

Our goal is to make it easy for both beginners and experienced soap makers to find high-quality, reliable supplies so they can enjoy the process and create beautiful, handcrafted soap at home.

How long does it take for handmade soap to be ready after it’s made?

Cold process soap needs time to cure before it’s ready to use. At Greencastle Soap Company, we recommend curing our soaps for four to six weeks.

During this time, excess water evaporates, which makes the bars harder and longer-lasting. Curing also helps create a milder, more balanced soap that lathers well and is gentle on your skin. This slower process is one of the reasons handmade soap feels so different from commercial bars—you get a product that’s effective, nourishing, and built to last.

Do you offer body creams or hand creams?

Yes! In addition to our soaps, Greencastle Soap Company offers handcrafted body creams and hand creams made to nourish, moisturize, and protect your skin. We use skin-friendly, thoughtfully sourced ingredients that complement our soap lines, so they work beautifully together. Many customers enjoy pairing our creams with our soaps to create a complete, gentle, and effective daily skincare routine.

Where is Greencastle Soap Company located and who do you serve?

Greencastle Soap Company & Maker’s Apothecary is located at 6401 E Sprague Ave in Spokane Valley, Washington, where we welcome customers to our retail store and workshop space.

We serve both local and nationwide customers through our online store. Our products, classes, and workshops attract people from across Washington, Northern Idaho, and Western Montana—including areas like Coeur d’Alene and Missoula.

Whether you’re looking for natural handmade soap, quality soap making supplies, or hands-on classes to learn traditional soap making techniques, Greencastle Soap Company offers thoughtfully crafted products and education for anyone interested in high-quality, handcrafted soap and skincare products.