Purity is hard to find. That’s been one of the lessons of the first five months of this project. It’s really, really difficult to find products that were designed, sourced and manufactured in Canada. I’ve only achieved this gold-standard with a few household cleaners and toilet paper.
Now, thanks to a little company in Golden, BC (population: 3811, not counting bears and cougars), I can add soap to that list. Kate from Apple Island Naturals heard about my project, and was inspired to make soap entirely sourced in Canada. And she was serious about it. Here’s where the source materials came from:
The lye comes from one of two manufacturers. One is in Quebec and the other is in Ontario. My supplier uses both manufacturers, so he couldn’t really narrow it down for me any further. The essential oils were manufactured in Montreal from trees grown in Ontario and Quebec. The base oils were manufactured in Saskatchewan from plants grown in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The melted snow (and don’t worry, it was definitely clean snow!) came from my backyard.
Canadian right down to the melted snow. Now that’s what English soccer commentators call “a result”. I bought a bunch of bars, and it’s working very well for me. I smell so Canadian.
Kate kindly sent along some samples of some of the other, not-entirely-Canadian soaps. I’m giving them away over on the 1Y1C Facebook page. All you have to do leave a comment here, and you’ll be entered to win three bars of Apple Island soap.
i’m trying to imagine what a canadian smells like. moose and plaid?
Trees! :0)
Love this fresh take on living locally – as a coastal Canadian (grew up in Halifax, now live in Vancouver) who loves everything about our country – even the in between – it’s a great call to action, eh?
Really interested in these products, but just a heads up to Apple Island Naturals – your website needs a little bit of work. Would love to see your scents, prices, shipping info, etc.
Kudos, Darren, on your growing gold standard list!
I have to agree with the above post. Was very interested in the soaps but find the website to be lacking in prices, shipping etc. Also if they are available at any shops in the kootenays or other parts of BC.