Our Story

18th Street Soap Company was started by two friends, Hope and Chris. We were looking for unique gifts to give to family and friends during the holiday season. Being the creative types, we knew we wanted to make something, but it had to be something special. Wandering through a local store, it dawned on us; we could make soap!  But it couldn’t be any run of mill handmade soap, we wanted to make large bars of luxurious all natural soap.  Our soap had to look good, smell great and feel amazing. Most important…we wanted to create something that was actually good for your skin. And the research began…

Our three original bars were Oatmeal Almond, Spiced Tea, and Lavender, Chamomile Mint.  Encouraged by our friends and family, the number of soaps quickly grew. It soon became apparent…we were in business! Today we offer over twenty different soaps, with new fragrances in the works all the time.  We still create all of our soap in small batches by hand.  Every bar of soap is hand cut and hand wrapped with care.  We hope you enjoy using our soaps as much as we enjoy making them!

Our Philosophy

We pride ourselves on using the highest quality ingredients to make our soap.  We don’t cut corners by using inexpensive filler oils (palm oil) or by skimping on essential oils and fragrances.  We stick with trusted recipes and ingredients that have nourished people’s skin for centuries. We use 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils (cold pressed or steam distilled) and skin safe fragrance oils that contain no phthalates, parabens, sulfates, or synthetic (nitro) musk’s.

Giving Back Locally

18th Street Soap Company is committed to giving back to the communities where our soap is sold. We believe our communities become stronger when we work with and support local businesses, organizations and people. In our first few years, we’ve donated (soap, time and money) to homeless shelters, youth organizations, domestic violence shelters, animal welfare organizations, Veterans organizations, health and wellness organizations as well as family emergency fundraisers in Lincoln and Omaha. We’re determined to help our communities succeed in being the best places to live, work and play.

Some of the organizations we give to include:

People’s City Mission, Lincoln, NE
Siena/Francis House, Omaha, NE
Homeless Veterans – VA Nebraska-Western Iowa
Voices of Hope, – Lincoln, NE
Saint Monica’s – Lincoln, NE
Haven House, Wayne, NE
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer – Lincoln, NE
Paws Up Of Nebraska (No Kill Rescue)
Lincoln Animal Ambassadors – Lincoln, NE
Set Me Free Project – Educating People About Human Trafficking
Jacob’s Place (Omaha Home for Boys) – Transitional Living For Youth – Omaha, NE
MICAH House – Mission In Community Assistance and Housing – Council Bluffs, IA
Child Advocacy Center – Lincoln, NE
FurEver Homes Inc. Dog Rescue – Fremont, NE
Open Door Mission – Omaha, NE
Lincoln Youth Symphony – Lincoln, NE
Blessed Sacrament School – Lincoln, NE
American Red Cross – to benefit the flood victims in Nebraska & Iowa
One World Community Health Centers – Omaha.
Sons of Italy, Nebraska – Fire Rebuilding Fund
Southeast Community College – National Council for Undergraduate Research (NCUR)
Many Fundraisers for Individuals and Families in Crisis
Glow Big Red – UNL LGBTQA+ Center

The Environment

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!  18th Street Soap Company uses minimal packaging that can be recycled, and we’re always looking for new ways to cut packaging and manufacturing waste even more. Our soap molds, displays and much of our equipment has been made from re-purposed or re-claimed materials. We also refrain from using ingredients like palm oil, because of its devastating effect on the environment.