Earlier this month, Fer à Cheval partnered to donate 13,000 bars of soap to medical and lab professionals in France to help support frequent hand washing to fight the spread of Covid-19. You can find out more about that here.
Given this, we though it timely to provide more information on both the soap and the company and why it's one of those things we should know more about.
Originating in 1856 in the port city of Marseilles, France, Fer à Cheval is one of the last traditional soap factories in operation today. Curious about the unusual name? Fer à Cheval, which means ‘horseshoe’, was meant to provide the new company with luck (as are the seven nails on the horseshoe logo). It was common practice in 19th century France to name your company something that would give it the best chance to succeed - and what conjures up luck more than a horseshoe? Looks like it worked!
With over 160 years in existence, the Savonnerie Fer à Cheval has carried on a recipe passed down to new generations of master soap-makers. Fer à Cheval's soap factory, firmly rooted in living heritage, is proud to continue to craft a key product in Marseille culture with respect for tradition, attention to detail and a great deal of love.
Unlike general industry products, Marseilles Soap requires special attention: the process is specific and every bubble, every smell, every sound through the 10 day long process has special meaning.
I can’t help but think that if you are making a product today that has remained essentially unchanged for over a century and a half, you know you have something special. Each soap is made from only four ingredients: natural vegetable oil, soda, salt and fresh water. As a result, the soap is pure - it does not contain any preservatives, dyes, additives, or animal fats. Best of all? It’s hypoallergenic (ideal for sensitive skin), biodegradable and economical.
And given the importance of washing our hands in this strange new world, you want to trust that what you are using is working - both for it's cleansing properties, it's impact on the environment, and it's gentleness on your skin. And that, we think, is worth the trip from France.
