Frequently Asked Questions

• We have tracked down the very best French soap products from France and Syria. In our store, you can buy French soaps from leading French savonneries, handmade Aleppo soaps from established soap factories and small batch soap ranges from lesser known, independent soap makers.
• We don’t have a minimum order value. You can buy French soaps by the bar, buy French soap by the loaf or even choose your own gift packaging and create your own French soap selections.
• When you buy French soaps from us we despatch, you’ll receive your order promptly. We dispatch orders just about every day (except Sundays and Bank Holidays) so when you buy French soap from us, you know we’ll be working hard to get it to you promptly.
• French soap orders placed by midnight usually ship the next business day when we have the stock held in the UK and when you buy French soap in our store, your French soap order can be delivered within a matter of days. If we are awaiting stock delivery from overseas i.e. Savon De Marseille from France or Aleppo soap from Syria, there can be delays in despatch as we are at the mercy of customs and excise clearance and international carriers. Our French soap deliveries can sometimes be delayed unexpectedly but we do hold a stock of French soap to fulfil orders, day to day.
• You can create an account with us that will save your ordering information for future reference. You will also receive some very special offers (unless you don’t want to). The more you buy Marseille Soap & Aleppo Soap from us, the better the deals we can offer you.
• We have a "Saved Cart" feature to make shopping that much easier.
• We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service. Contact us and you will always get a prompt, helpful response.
• We offer a no-quibble, 100% money back or replacement guarantee on lost goods and damaged items. If there is a problem with your French soap order and you are not completely satisfied, please get in touch. We will always endeavour to investigate and resolve matters quickly. We will not hesitate to process a refund or exchange for your purchase price and reimburse the shipping charges, when appropriate.
• For that special touch, you can add a personalised message. Look for the gift message option during checkout.
• We offer free UK economy shipping on orders over £100.
• There are a variety of delivery options available to you from standard delivery options to priority express deliveries.

Firstly, you’ll need to decide which of our indulgent French soap bars you would like to buy. Is there a particular type of soap you prefer? Do you want to buy Aleppo soaps, scented Marseille soaps or Traditional Marseille soap? You can buy an individual bar or even buy a French soap selection to use over a period of time or share. Perhaps, you’d like an off-the-shelf French soap selection to sample a variety of French soaps. Alternatively, you may want to put together your very own bespoke selection of French soaps. If you are looking to buy French soaps, it’s very easy. Just click on the ‘add to cart’ or ‘buy button’ on any of the individual French soap products or follow the simple instructions to create your own bespoke soapery selection.

You’ll simply need to select your French soaps by hovering over the list and clicking on the French soap products you want. Chosen by you, attractively packaged and with that personal touch, these French soapery selections make great gifts.

We are always reliant on soap manufacturers and International carriers but we do our utmost to keep our website up to date in terms of availability and live inventory updates.

From time to time, French soapery products are discontinued or unavailable and this will be reflected on our website. Our French soap stocks can also run out in real time with simultaneous orders coming through but we will always endeavour to find a comparable substitute French soap we hold in the event a particular French soap is unavailable for one of our off-the-shelf selections.

If we don’t feel there is a comparable soap product or you have ordered a bespoke soap selection, please drop us a line and we will be in touch.

Please do ensure you provide your telephone number when you buy French soaps on our site so we can keep you updated about your order or contact you, if required. It’s also useful for our carriers to have your telephone number for delivery. In the event, we do have to substitute one of our Marseille or Aleppo soaps, we always ensure you receive value for money.

Unfortunately, we cannot make changes to our off-the-shelf French soap selections. Some of our pre-mixed French soap selections change seasonally and according to supply levels as we are at the mercy of soap manufacturers and carriers so it’s worth contacting us before ordering if there is a particular French soap you desire just in case there are supply issues. If you would like more or less of a particular soap or a soap we don’t currently feature, you can also drop us a request.

You can find a comprehensive list of ingredients for every French soap, bath and body product we feature on the individual product detail pages within our store. We will also enclose ingredients detail within every French soapery parcel we dispatch.

We are more than happy to add a personalised gift note to any sweet order with a custom message. You can find this option on some of our website pages. Simply, write your message in the box provided and the gift note will be placed in your order.

If you buy French Soap and notice a mistake with your address afterwards, please email us at hello@artfactory.co.uk to amend the address immediately.

We respond to orders quickly so it is possible that your order has already been fulfilled. If you provide an incorrect delivery address and the courier is unable to deliver or delivers to the incorrect address provided on the order, we will not be able to send out a replacement product. Please get in touch with us to arrange a solution. Please ensure the address you provide is correct before placing your order.

Likewise, if a carrier attempts delivery of a French soap order more than three times and there is no one in to receive the order, it could be returned to sender. At this point, we will not be able to re-send it free of charge.

Please do contact us in the event there is a problem with your delivery. If an order is delivered to an incorrectly supplied address, it is unlikely we will be able to retrieve the item, resend to the corrected address or refund the purchase.

When you buy French soap in the La Maison Du Savon store, payment is requested at the time of ordering using our secure payment gateway checkout.

Your order will be fulfilled within 48 hours Monday – Friday if we have the soaps in stock.

Any orders made on Saturday, Sunday or a Bank Holiday will be fulfilled on the next working day. Delivery times vary based on your chosen delivery method. Please allow between 2-7 working days for your order to arrive, not including weekends or bank holidays for post.

We will provide updates and tracking information for your order as a matter of course. If you are outside of mainland England (e.g Scottish Highlands, Isle of Wight etc.), please get in touch to obtain your tracking information and allow five working days for delivery.

Please contact customer service immediately: hello@artfactory.co.uk

We do not offer international shipping as a norm. If you are outside the UK, please get in touch to arrange a shipping quote and we will try to assist you.

Aleppo soap is also known as "Savon d'Alep" or "Ghar soap". It is a traditional soap made in Aleppo, Syria, using olive oil, laurel berry oil and lye,

Aleppo soap, made with olive and laurel oils appears as a golden-brown block with a natural green core. The soap starts as a green coloured paste. As Aleppo Soap dries and matures during the curing process, the exterior layers transform from green to a pale gold to golden-brown colour, while the inner core of the block retains a green or olive-green hue. The darker the colour, the more laurel oil the soap likely contains. Authentic Aleppo Soap bar bear a traditional stamp.

Authentic Aleppo soap has a very distinctive, slightly earthy, smokey scent, with discernible notes of olive oil and bayberry (laurel) oil, which are the primary ingredients. The earthy, smokey scent of Aleppo Soap is often described as reminiscent of wet soil or rain. The natural fragrance is derived from the olive oil and laurel oil, which are the core components of the soap. Some people also note a subtle, fresh, and delicate bay scent. The Aleppo soap fragrence can also be influenced by the maturation process, with older Aleppo soaps potentially having a more pronounced earthy or smoky aroma.

Aleppo soap can float on water due to its high quality and purity.

Traditional Aleppo soap is made from olive oil, laurel berry oil, water, and lye, with the laurel berry oil concentration typically being between 2% and 30%.

Aleppo soap is special because it's a natural, traditional soap made with olive oil and bay laurel oil. Known for its outstanding moisturizing, soothing, and antibacterial properties, Aleppo soap is often recommended for sensitive skin.

Here are a few reasons why Aleppo soap is an exceptional soap:

Natural Composition: Aleppo soap is a completely natural soap, containing no synthetic additives, artificial colors, or preservatives.

Benefits: Aleppo soap is known for its gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and antiseptic properties. It can be used for various purposes, including washing, shampooing, and shaving.

An Exceptional Soap: Aleppo soap stands out from modern, mass-produced soaps due to its use of natural, plant-based ingredients, its absence of animal fats and synthetic additives.

Natural Ingredients: Aleppo soap is made primarily from olive oil and bay laurel oil, with no synthetic additives, preservatives or artificial fragrances.

Traditional Production: Aleppo soap is made using an ancient method in cauldrons. The lengthy curing process, which can take several months, is crucial to its quality and effectiveness.

Versatile Use: Aleppo soap can be used in a wide variety of ways including: cleansing the face, body, hair and even as a shaving soap.

Ecological: Aleppo soap is 100% biodegradable. This authentic soap does not contain palm oil, a major contributor to deforestation.

Authenticity: Authentic Aleppo soap is made in Aleppo, Syria, using traditional methods.

Long History: Aleppo soap has a long history, with its origins dating back to the 8th century AD.

Moisturizing: Aleppo soap's main property is to moisturize the skin deeply. Olive oil helps hydrate and nourish the skin.

Soothing: Bay laurel oil can help calm redness, soothe itching, reduce irritation and inflammation, making it suitable for sensitive skin and conditions like eczema, psoriasis and acne.

Antimicrobial: The natural ingredients in Aleppo soap have antiseptic and antibacterial properties and the combination of olive and bay laurel oils provides Aleppo Soap with natural antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Hypoallergenic: The natural composition of Aleppo Soap makes it a sensible choice for people with sensitive skin, and dermatologists often recommend it.

Traditional Soap Making Process: The Aleppo soap making process involves a lengthy, controlled cooking process followed by a long maturation period of 9-12 months.

Ingredients: The recipe calls for olive oil and laurel oil, sodium hydroxide (lye) and water.

Production Area: Aleppo soap is traditionally made in Aleppo, Syria, following an ancient recipe passed down through generations.

Versatile Use: Aleppo soap is suitable for all skin types, even for babies and those with sensitive skin.

Skincare: Aleppo Soap can be used as a soap for washing and cleansing the body, as a shampoo, face mask, or shaving cream.

Hair Care: Aleppo soap is known to eliminate excess sebum and is suitable for all hair types.

Laundry: Some people use Aleppo soap for laundry, to leave clothes soft and shiny.

Genuine Marseille soap has to meet the precise criteria set out by the UPSM, The Union of Marseille Soap Professionals. Authentic, traditional Savon De Marseille contains only 4 ingredients: vegetable oils (72% minimum), soda, water and salt.

Traditional Marseille soap should always be free of colouring agents, perfumes and preservatives and is produced solely in the Marseille region, cooked in a cauldron according to the Marseille process under the supervision of a master soap maker. Traditional Marseille soap has a distinctive cube shape. The soap should be engraved with "72% oil"

Traditional Marseille soaps contain a minimal amount of glycerine. This glycerine is derived from the natural saponification process. Glycerine is not added to the soap. The glycerine is removed during the washing stages of the Marseille soap making process, however a small trace of glycerine remains in the finished product.

If you buy a 900g or 2kg bar of Marseille soap and plan to slice it, please slice it as soon as you receive it. To slice the Savon Du Marseille soap, we recommend you use a wire or a knife previously run under hot water.

If you want to make your own DIY liquid detergent, you can grate your Marseille soap bar into shavings with a cheese grater.

Savon De Marseille or Traditional Marseille soap is a traditional French soap made from vegetable oils, water, salt, and soda, renowned for being an exceptionally gentle and moisturising soap.

Traditional Marseille soap contains at least 72% vegetable oil, water, salt, and soda. Traditional Marseille Soap contains no preservatives, perfumes or colouring.

Marseille soap is traditionally green or white. Green Marseille soap is made from olive oil, while white Marseille soap is made with oils such as palm, coconut, copra or peanut.

Today, there are also many varieties of scented Marseille soap or ‘market soap’ as it is sometimes called. These more modern day scented French soap varieties are not strictly Traditional. Many people consider scented Savon De Marseille soaps to be a break with tradition and inauthentic though these fragranced Marseille soap varieties have become hugely popular in recent years.

Our Scented Marseille soap varieties are from trusted soap makers and contain at least 72% vegetable oil in line with aspects of traditional Savon De Marseille production methodology.

Authentic Marseille soap is usually cube-shaped and always has ‘72% oil’ engraved on it.

Traditional Marseille soap is very versatile. You can use it for washing your hands, cleaning, or as a shampoo.

Keep Savon De Marseille dry between uses.

It’s best to keep your Marseille soap away from sources of heat and damp. You can let the soap dry in your wardrobes and cabinets. Savon De Marseille wards off moths and leaves a delicate scent on your linen. Some people place it in their beds, under the bottom sheet to avoid cramp in the night.

Due to its natural composition, Marseille soap can last twice as long as an ordinary soap found in the supermarket. For a 250g Marseille soap and a shower a day for one person, two good months of use is quite the norm. To store Marseille soap, keep it in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight. You can store it in a cupboard or wardrobe.

Protect Marseille Soap from light: Keep the soap out of direct sunlight.

Store in an airtight container: After each use, close the container tightly to extend the soap's life.

Do Not Refrigerate: The fridge can make the soap brittle or cause glycerine dew. Marseille soap is non-perishable and improves over time. It can be used for face and body cleansing, skin care, and household chores such as laundry.

Marseille soap is a versatile, eco-friendly soap that can be used for cleaning, washing, and personal care.

Cleaning with Marseille Soap

Dish soap: Rub a damp sponge over the soap to create suds and use to wash dishes

Surfaces: Rub a damp sponge over the soap then use to wipe down surfaces such as sinks, bathtubs and floors You can also use Marseille soap to clean the edges of your dishwasher and washing machine and the inside of your refrigerator.

Stains: Rub the soap directly onto stains before washing.

Stone: Use a brush soaked in water with Marseille soap to clean stone surfaces like marble, slate and granite.

Toilets: Melt Marseille soap shavings in boiling water then pour the solution into the toilet and brush.

Washing With Marseille Soap

Clothes: Rub the soap directly onto the fabric before washing.

Wool and leather: Marseille soap can be used for washing wool and leather.

Swimming costumes: Marseille soap can be used to remove the smell of chlorine from swimming costumes.

Traditional Marseille Soap For Personal Care

Body wash: Lather the soap directly onto your body.

Shampoo: Use the soap as you would a normal solid shampoo bar.

Skin: Marseille soap is good for people with eczema, dry or sensitive skin.

Traditional Savon de Marseille is characterized by being made solely from vegetable oils (without animal fats), primarily olive oil. It contains no colouring, fragrances or synthetic additives. While potentially made with similar base ingredients, Scented Marseille Soaps incorporate artificial or essential oils for fragrance.

Scented Marseille Soaps Contain Added Fragrances:
Modern scented Marseille soaps often incorporate fragrances and essential oils, departing from the unscented nature of Tradionional Marseille Soap.

Scented Marseille Soaps Will Have Enriched Ingredients:
Scented Marseille Soaps may contain additional ingredients like: Shea butter, almond oil, coconut and other nut butters, along with plant and flower extracts.

Scented Marseille Soaps Come In A Wide Variety of Scent Profiles:
Fragranced Savon De Marseille is produced in a wide range of fragrances; from classic scents such as rose, lavender and aloe vera to more modern and diverse fragrances such as honey, grapefruit, verbena, bergamot, vanilla, cherry, tea tree or honey varieties.

Fragranced Marseille Soap Maintains Some Traditional Qualities:
While scented, fragranced Savon De Marseille soap often retains the moisturizing and gentle cleansing characteristics of traditional Savon de Marseille, for example 72% vegetable oil content.

Scented Savon Is Not Considered Authentic Traditional Marseille Soap:
Despite many of the fragranced Marseille soaps sharing many characteristics with Traditional Marseille soaps (eg 72% vegetable oil content) and their growing popularity and prevalence in French markets, Marseille Soaps with added scents and other ingredients such as essential oils, fruit and herb extracts are not considered authentic Traditional Savon de Marseille in the strictest sense.

While traditional Marseille soap is known for its gentle, hypoallergenic properties, fragranced Marseille soaps may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin due to potential allergens in the added fragrances. If you do have sensitive skin, we would recommend you avoid essential oils as this can cause irritation. If you do have sensitive skin, we suggest you buy unscented Marseille soap. If you do choose to buy scented Savon de Marseille or have received fragranced Marseille soaps as a gift, we recommend you consider patch testing.