The best gift. That ain’t no lye.

Clean up this holiday season, with soaps from Siletz Bay Co

By Linda Turner Griepentrog

For the TODAY

We all know that COVID changed many people’s lives in many ways, but for entrepreneur Melody Wilkins it created a new career — soap maker extraordinaire and founder of Siletz Bay Co.

With a name like that, the first question might be, “Is there really ocean water in your soap?”

The answer is yes — filtered, of course. And, Wilkins hauls it to her soap-making studio by the bucketful, having now outgrown her house for the soapy process.

Why soap? Wilkins’ interest in creating soap comes from her own sensitive skin and her desire to create a product made from natural sources — not only sea water, but ingredients like plant-based natural colorings and botanicals, many grown in her own cottage garden.

“My goal is to be kind to the planet,” Wilkins said, “and be nurturing in a kind and gentle way.”

Most of Wilkins’ natural ingredients are sourced in Oregon to minimize their carbon footprint. For example, the honey in her soaps comes from a beekeeper about two blocks away from her studio; the boxes she uses for the soaps come from Springfield; and her cute wooden soap dishes are from a crafter in Bend.

“Handmade bar soaps are far better for the planet than shower gels,” she said. “There’s no harsh chemicals, no plastic packaging, no trucking of product cross-country, and mine are sold locally for the most part.”

So how is the soap made? Wilkins uses a cold process, meaning it’s not cooked like some other methods. The ingredients, including the ocean water, essential oils, fats and lye are blended with her natural colorings in large, non-reactive stainless-steel pots. The chemical reaction that turns the ingredients into soap is called saponification. The initial process takes less than an hour and then the emulsion is poured into molds where it hardens and can then be cut into bars. But, worth noting, the soap isn’t ready for your shower at that point — it takes a month to cure before it’s ready for sale and use, allowing the evaporation of some excess water used in the initial soap-making process.

Imagine the smells wafting through her studio as the soap cures.

Currently, Wilkins’ line of soaps includes 12 different varieties, with enticing flavors like orange and sage, lemon balm and margarita. She also offers a shampoo bar and a solid, unscented lotion that melts into your skin and contains mango butter and shea. It’s easy to keep the small tin in your pocket or purse and it won’t melt unless the temperature is more than 100 degrees.

A popular purchase among coastal visitors is the sand dollar-embossed soap, a lovely souvenir of a fun beach vacation.

And, she hasn’t forgotten our furry friends — Siletz Bay Co. also features Doggo soap for those canines with sensitive skin or itchiness. This specialty was developed as a result of Wilkins’ own dog’s need for some special attention with skin issues.

Wilkins, who is also a weaver and fiber artist, has created Wool Wash — a gentle soap made with lanolin, coconut oil, olive and castor oils, scented with lemon eucalyptus. This is ideal for hand washing delicate woolen sweaters and other garments.

“I just love playing with soap,” she said. “I’m a member of some online forums and groups of fellow soap makers and I’m always trying to learn new things to help my business.”

As a steward of kindness, Wilkins has also donated soaps to Neighbors for Kids and Family Promise, and given gift certificates for fund-raisers for local causes.

With her personal interest in having her customers know what they’re using on their bodies, Wilkins prefers selling directly to consumers through her participation in local shows and markets. Look for her booth at the Neskowin Farmers Market from May through October, and at seasonal markets, including the upcoming Holiday Bazaar in Pacific City on Saturday, Dec. 2. She both ships products ordered online and delivers to local customers. And, you can even find Wilkins’ soaps among the artisan products sold at Mossy Creek Pottery in Lincoln City.

For more information on Siletz Bay Co and to order products online, go to siletzbayco.square.site.