Ivy Soap House Ltd

Feature

Handmade in Sarratt: The Story Behind Ivy Soap House

Ivy Soap House is a small independent business based in Sarratt, Hertfordshire, specialising in natural handmade soaps and botanical skincare. Every soap is made in small batches using traditional cold-process methods, with carefully selected plant-based oils, nourishing butters, clays and botanical ingredients. From beautifully scented soap bars to thoughtful handmade gifts, we bring a little everyday luxury to your skincare routine, with sustainability and plastic-free packaging at heart.

How did this start?

Ivy Soap House started with our two children, both keen competitive swimmers who spent hours every week in the pool. The constant exposure to chlorine was taking its toll on their skin, which led me to look more closely at the ingredients in everyday skincare products and explore gentler, more natural alternatives. What began as a personal mission to care for my children's skin soon became a passion for traditional soapmaking, experimenting with plant-based oils, nourishing butters and botanicals. From our home in Sarratt, that passion gradually grew into Ivy Soap House, a small business inspired by family, nature and a desire to make something better.

What do you actually make, sell or run?

At Ivy Soap House, we make natural handmade soaps using the traditional cold-process method, combining carefully selected plant-based oils, nourishing butters, clays, botanicals and essential oils. Each soap is made in small batches, with its own unique blend of ingredients, colours and scents. Alongside our everyday soap collection, we offer botanical face oils, handmade soap dishes, gift sets, miniature guest soaps, fun animal-shaped soaps for children and personalised wedding favours. Everything is thoughtfully made or selected with quality, sustainability and plastic-free packaging in mind.

What do you do differently?

What sets Ivy Soap House apart is our commitment to the quality of our ingredients. We believe that what goes into a soap matters just as much as how it looks or smells. Rather than relying on inexpensive filler oils to keep costs down, we carefully select high-quality plant-based oils and rich, nourishing butters such as shea and cocoa butter, chosen for their skin-conditioning properties. We make our soaps in small batches using the traditional cold-process method, allowing us to pay close attention to every ingredient and every detail. For us, it's about creating beautiful soaps that feel as good on the skin as they look, without compromising on quality to reduce costs.

What does a normal day actually look like?

No two days are quite the same at Ivy Soap House! Some days are spent making fresh batches of soap, carefully measuring and blending oils, butters, clays and botanicals, while others involve cutting, checking and packaging soaps that have completed their curing process. There's also plenty happening behind the scenes, from experimenting with new recipes and designs to preparing orders, putting together gift boxes and keeping our online shop running. As a small family business, we all get involved, and there's always something to do!

What are you working on right now?

We're always exploring new ideas at Ivy Soap House, experimenting with different botanical ingredients, soap designs and ways to make our products even more special. At the moment, we're focusing on expanding our range of handmade gifts and developing new soap creations, while continuing to refine our existing collection. We're also working on introducing more people to the benefits of traditionally made soap and the difference that carefully selected, high-quality ingredients can make to an everyday skincare routine.

What should someone try, or come to, first?

Our handmade soap bars are the perfect place to start! Each one has its own blend of nourishing oils, rich butters, botanical ingredients and essential oils, so there's something to suit different preferences. Whether you're drawn to the delicate floral scent of Blossom, the refreshing minty notes of Northern Lights or the comforting botanicals of Harmony, we'd encourage you to explore the collection and find your favourite. For those who can't decide, our gift sets are a lovely way to discover a selection of our soaps.

What do you wish more local people knew?

We'd love more local people to know that there's a small family-run soap business right here in Sarratt, making natural soaps from scratch using traditional methods and carefully selected, high-quality ingredients. Handmade soap is about much more than beautiful colours and lovely scents; the oils and butters used in each recipe make a real difference to how the soap feels on your skin. We'd also love people to know that they don't have to look far for thoughtful, handmade gifts or everyday skincare made with care. Sometimes the nicest discoveries are right on your doorstep!

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In the words of Ivy Soap House Ltd.