If you ask any Irish person over the age of 40 they will probably remember the good room - it was an Irish tradition that has died out now (property is too expensive!) but back in the day people always had a "good room". This room, usually situated at the front of the house, was always kept immaculately. The only time it was used was at Christmas, or if your parents needed to tell you bad news, or if the local priest came to visit. It was also a room that the man of the house would hide from the kids, read a book, and enjoy a stiff drink. Different times! The essential oil blend I have created for this soap is inspired by those leathery, stiff drink smells.
Actually Made By Hand
![](http://theblackstuff.com/cdn/shop/files/pine-tar-soap-the-black-stuff-soap-curing.jpg?v=1625502879&width=2400)
Patiently Crafted
Cured to Perfection
We actually take the time to cure our soap - during this process any water content evaporates, and the soap becomes longer lasting, less likely to break apart & performs better.
![](http://theblackstuff.com/cdn/shop/files/kitchen_1.jpg?v=1715610385&width=2400)
EST JAN 2021
IT ALL BEGAN IN MY KITCHEN...
Lockdown. Jan 2021. We weren't allowed to leave the house for months...
I decided to explore soapmaking... Everyone thought I was either crazy or having a midlife crisis. (maybe they were right!)
Humble Beginnings
They say to become an expert at something it takes 10,000 hours.
I reckon I passed that within 6 months.
All day, every day all I did was SOAP.
I did everything, from researching, experimentation, design, recipes, testing.
Washing. Making. Sweating.
I sold next to nothing.
![](http://theblackstuff.com/cdn/shop/files/IMG_7412.jpg?v=1715610650&width=1080)
![](http://theblackstuff.com/cdn/shop/files/IMG_7423_2.jpg?v=1715610721&width=1080)
![](http://theblackstuff.com/cdn/shop/files/IMG_7424_2.jpg?v=1715611086&width=1080)
![](http://theblackstuff.com/cdn/shop/files/IMG_7433_2.jpg?v=1715611125&width=1080)
But Somehow it Grew.
I don't know how. Maybe it was because I documented every step on Instagram & Tiktok and people wanted to support my craziness.
Or maybe I got lucky, and somehow came up with products that were incredible.
Maybe a bit of both.
Committed to YOU
We still make every product the exact same way I used to make it in my kitchen.
We are committed to scaling by hiring & training people.
We manufacture using old school artisan techniques.
We only use natural ingredients.
Our focus has always been to make the best possible products.
And that won't change.
![](http://theblackstuff.com/cdn/shop/files/IMG_7445.jpg?v=1715611428&width=1080)
![](http://theblackstuff.com/cdn/shop/files/IMG_7439.jpg?v=1715611403&width=1080)