Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Langbeen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey into the simple, healthy living lifestyle began with the birth of my 3rd baby, after a rough start that included an open-heart surgery, she developed childhood asthma. And that is when I realized I would need to “clean up my act” and get serious at removing the last of the chemical-laden cleaners in my home. I zeroed in on things I could make myself and things I could buy locally, like handmade soap! One of my favorite things to do with my kids was to peruse the farmers’ markets on summer weekends and get to know our community that way and bring home fresh foods and soaps. As our family grew, I started researching ways to make my own soap, as I’ve already been venturing into other, more simple concoctions and felt confident I could figure this out! In 2012 I made my first batch and poured it into a wooden soap mold my father fashioned together for me, and I spent some time making those simple soaps for our family. My love for cooking, history, gardening, and keeping the creative juices flowing eventually melded together into my own twist on hot-cooked soap! Just like our great-grandmothers used to make! It became a much-needed form of therapy when 2 of our 8 children were diagnosed with Type One Diabetes within 8 months of each other, My daughter had just been diagnosed at the age of 8 and she was my right-hand helper and we created fun recipes and themes together for the soaps, and shortly after, Guinea Hill Soap was born. Simply stated, we live on a hill and raise guinea fowl, that’s where the unusual name comes from, but yes, we do cherish guinea pigs too!
I’ve since branched out into special solid shampoo and conditioning formulas, depression-era laundry soap recipes, and liquid soaps and creams. Products I use every day living this farm life, and products I know work well and are practical and focus on sustainability. Many of my soaps are cooked over my vintage stove and sometimes even my wood stoves! I incorporate many farm ingredients, cucumber puree, egg yolks (Yes! Great for hair!), buttermilk, and we’ve been growing more and more of our own luffah every year. A natural sponge that grows much like a cucumber vine! We have been blessed to have our products carried in local retail stores, we also sell online, and we enjoy spending our weekends at local farmers’ markets getting to know the community and their needs. We have met the most amazing people and look forward to sharing our products far and wide.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The first big task was diving into a new business with a baby under the age of 1. I had just had my 8th baby when I dived in headfirst! I took advantages of naps and evenings when my husband would be able to take over some parenting duties, I was learning the ropes that year, had never done anything like this before, and that baby boy came with me to craft shows and markets and just hung out with me in his baby carrier as I manned my tables. That was a special time I’ll always look back on with fond memories, although I’m still not sure how I did it!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
My specialty is hot processed soap. It’s a technique that is not as common as its counterpart these days, cold process. It’s the kind you find in the history books when you see mostly women standing around their iron pots over an open flame making their soaps for the family. Those are the recipes I’m obsessed with and are the basis for some of my recipes, like my potato water laundry stain sticks. And yes, I’ve been known to cook it over an open flame as well! I also use nourishing fruits and veggies where I can, the same things you might find in some DIY kitchen skin care recipes. Cucumbers for the face, pumpkin for the skin, and egg yolks for the hair, only in the form of soap. Local apple ciders, beers, and milks. All natural colors, no dyes here. I still try to keep it fun, so you’ll see a rainbow of colors; they’ll be in the form of clays and herbs.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I was obsessed with Martha Stewart as a young kid. I can play the mandolin. I love all farm animals, but I’m terrified of horses!
Contact Info:
- Website: guineahillsoap.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guineahillsoap
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guineahillsoap
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@guineahillsoap2625
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GuineaHillSoap
Image Credits
Emilee Rose Films
