Update: Giveaway has now ended. Thanks, all!
I have to let you know, I'm a bit of a natural soap junkie.
Underneath my bathroom cupboard are baskets, literally full of various kinds of handmade soaps-- ones with oatmeal for scrubbing, with essential oils, with herbs, for oily skin, for sensitive skin, shampoo bars, regular body bars, soap that cleans your bathroom all by itself (just kidding on that one- don't I wish?). You name it, I'm pretty sure we have it.
With all of those soaps, you would think that it would be hard to impress me. Yet, Apple Valley Natural Soap has done just that. Why?
- Their pure, gentle soaps are as nice as any other high-quality natural soap, but their prices are among the most reasonable I've seen.
- They are a Christian family run business (with 10 children, who also help out!), committed to treating their customers well (like $6 standard shipping on every order), and to giving back to the community (10% of their profits go toward the local Christian crisis pregnancy center that their family is involved with).
- They have these fantastic Shampoo and Body Bars, which are the ultimate 2 in 1. More on these in a minute.
- Their bars are large and extra-hard because of a long curing time. What this means for you is that they don't get soft and mushy in the shower, and they last an extra long time, making them an even better deal!
- All ingredients are pure, simple and natural, without any dyes, preservatives, chemicals, or detergents. Something that I can feel good about using on our family, while caring for the environment at the same time.
My Newfound Love for Shampoo Bars
We've been trying out a selection of bars for several months now. My favorite bars are hands down the Shampoo and Body Bars. My husband and I each took one with us to the Philippines (which was handy, because it meant we had one less thing to pack, rather than shampoo as well as soap) and I was so happy with how the bars didn't dry out our hair or skin, despite the fact that we were showering at least once or twice a day.
I've been using a shampoo bar for about 3 months now and I'm quite happy with it. I had been doing the no poo' method (using only baking soda) for several years, but my hair began to dry out and have some breakage issues. I felt that it needed a rest, so I went back to a natural shampoo instead. When I got these bars to review, I hoped that perhaps they could replace the expensive shampoo.
There was a short adjustment period (about 2 weeks, which is common with most shampoo switches- from shampoo to baking soda, etc.) during which my hair was a bit extra-oily. After that, though, it evened out and I found my hair as clean as it had been with baking soda, but minus the dryness that had developed. I still use just a small amount of conditioner some days (not always) for a little extra softness, but it isn't truly necessary.
My Personal Apple Valley Recommendations:
- Latte Brunette Shampoo and Body Bar (special oils and triple-strength coffee that specifically help to keep brunette hair beautiful)
- Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo and Body Bar (very fresh smelling and anti-bacterial)
- MAN Shampoo and Body Bar (nice scent for guys- and I haven't tried their MAN 2.0 version, but that one works as a shaving lather as well, and I love that 3 in 1 concept!)
- Economy Bars (body bars only, but this is a great value for high-quality soap-- I could see buying these for my family on a regular basis at only $3.50 each)
Just for My Readers
There are a few deals that you can take advantage of right now:
FREE Lip Balm or Sample Bar: If you place an order of $20 or greater (not including tax/shipping) and indicate that you came from Keeper of the Home in the exit survey, you will receive a FREE lip balm ($2.50 value) OR a sample sized bar of their choice ($1.95 value). Note that if you want the balm, be sure to mention it in the notes to seller, otherwise the sample bar will automatically be selected for you.
- Orders over $40 (product value) receive a FREE Limited Edition Lemon Marigold bar while supplies last.
- The All Natural Bug Repellent is on clearance for $5.95!
- Wheat and Honey Almond Shampoo/Body bar is the "Bar of the Month" and has a special discount price of $4.50 this month only.
And now for the giveaway... three readers will get to select any two bars of their choice from the website!
Here's how to get entered (remember to leave a separate comment for each entry):
1. Visit the Apple Valley website and tell me which soap(s) you would want to win!
2. Subscribe to Keeper of the Home by RSS feed or by email (and be entered to win our monthly email subscriber-only giveaways!).
3. Share about this giveaway through your blog or favorite social media (find us onFacebook and Twitter here).
4. Get a bonus entry by liking Apple Valley Natural Soap on Facebook or for signing up for their monthly blog newsletters (which automatically enters you for a giveaway every month).
Giveaway has now ended. Thank you!
Disclaimer: This giveaway was generously sponsored by Apple Valley Natural Soap, and I received some soaps for the purpose of review. I honestly do love these soaps and all opinions expressed in this post are mine (who else's would they be?).
I really love the Coconut Milk and Citrus Shampoo Bar they have
I shared this give away on Facebook.
I signed up for Apple Valley's monthly newsletter.
I'm an email subscriber.
I'd love to win either the Herbal Emu Shampoo & Body Bar or the Chamomile & Orange Blossom.
I like Apple Valley on fb
I'm subscribed to your email!
I would love to try the coconut milk, wheat and honey almond and lavender buttermilk!!
I'm subscribed (RSS and email)
I've never used a bath and body bar before. I'd love to have the Chamomile and Orange Blossom Shampoo and Body Bar.
I liked them on FB.
I subscribe via RSS.
I'd love to try the Kitchen Spice & Bella Rose bars.
I "liked" on FB!
I would love to try the Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo & Body Bar!
i subscribe
The shampoo bars look lovely. So many kinds...I'm not sure what I'd pick!
I like Apple Valley on Facebook.
I subscribe to KotH by RSS feed.
Peppermint and Tea Tree is one of my favorite scents. Helps me wake up in the morning!
I signed up for the newsletter.
I subscribe to your blog through a feed.
The coconut milk and citrus bar sounds wonderful! These are great prices.
I like Apple Valley Soap on facebook and subscribe to their newsletter.
I tweeted this giveaway.
I'm a subscriber.
I would love to try the Spearmint Zinger Body Bar
I would like to try the man bar and the peppermint tea tree bar.
I would like to get the man bar for my husband and try the peppermint and tea tree bar.
4. Get a bonus entry by liking Apple Valley Natural Soap on Facebook or for signing up for their monthly blog newsletters (which automatically enters you for a giveaway every month).
signed up for their newsletter
reannenny at aol.com
FB share
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tweet
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I subscribe via feed.
2. Subscribe to Keeper of the Home by RSS feed or by email (and be entered to win our monthly email subscriber-only giveaways!).
both
reannenny at aol.com
Totally the Wheat and Honey Almond Shampoo and Body Bar
reannenny at aol.com
I signed up for Apple Valley's newsletter.
I subscribe to a feed.
The Lime Spa Salt Bar looks interesting. The blog says it works well as a sink soap.
I signed up for apple valley emails!
I already get your emails!
They all look so good! I might try the acne bar and a man bar, but the chamomile sounds good, too!
And I'm already subscribed the the KotH email list. :)
I liked Apple Valley Soap on Facebook. :)
I would love the Latte Brunette soap for me and the MAN 2.0 3-in-1 for my husband. The shampoo/soap combo sounds fabulous.
Already subscribed to Keeper of the Home.
I'd love the Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo and Body Bar or maybe the Lavender Buttermilk Shampoo and Body Bar.
I just found your site through Simple Organic and am thrilled to find out about these naturals soaps! Cannot wait to try them! So nice to be able to have something good for our bodies, the environment and be able to support a family business! I'd like to try the Lavendar Buttermilk and Peppermint Tea Tree bars!