Emma Cook sympathises with soap-dodging kids. As the founder of a company which uses only natural plant oils in its products, she wouldn’t dream of washing with most soaps either. She’s encountered plenty of desperate parents, which is why she’s developed some varieties, and some strategies, to help make bath-time fun.
Emma, how can parents encourage kids to scrub up before potatoes grow out of their ears?
It seems to help to let kids choose their own special soap. It can be time-consuming, because they’ll walk around and smell all of the different soaps (we have about 50 different types) before deciding, but it’s worth it.
Which of your soaps will appeal to kids?
Our soaps that smell like lollies are very popular among kids, such as our liquorice all-sorts and spearmint soap. Our bright-coloured soaps also appeal. Our pink clay soap, for example, is very popular with young ones. Not only is it a really vibrant pink colour, but initially it’s a bit messy in the shower – so it doesn’t even feel like you are using soap – you’re rubbing yourself in clay! It comes off really easily though.
Our beer soap is a popular one among teenage boys, so I’d recommend that for the slightly older soap-dodger. It’s the closest that they’ll get to beer until they are 18 and beer is actually an amazing natural ingredient for the skin. It just lathers so nicely and your skin feels silky afterwards.
You can also find the Australian Natural Soap Company at the South Melbourne Market.