Questions about our soap and your order
Find answers about the workshop, ingredients, scents, and U.S. delivery. If your question is about a particular formula or order, our U.S. team can help.
The workshop and the range
What is Masbanat Awaida?
Masbanat Awaida is a family soap workshop in Tripoli, Lebanon, founded in 1880. The range includes Traditional olive oil soap, perfumed bars, glycerine and loofah soaps, liquids, and soap sachets.
What does the name mean?
“Masbanat” refers to a soapworks or soap workshop. “Awaida” is the family name. Together, the name identifies the Awaida family's soapworks.
Why does the packaging say Roots 1880?
Roots 1880 is our international label. The soaps come from Masbanat Awaida, the Awaida family workshop in Tripoli.
Where is the soap made?
The soap is made in Tripoli, Lebanon. U.S. orders are fulfilled from stock held in Boston.
Is this the same as Aleppo or Nablus soap?
Tripoli, Aleppo, and Nablus each have long soapmaking traditions. Our soap is made in Tripoli. Ingredients and methods vary between makers and products, so compare the formula rather than treating the city names as interchangeable.
Which bar should I try first?
Start with Traditional olive oil soap if you want no added fragrance. For scent, choose a familiar floral such as rose or lavender, or explore oud and musk if you prefer a warmer fragrance.
Ingredients and use
Are all the products made from pure olive oil?
No. The Traditional bar has an olive oil base. Other formulas may include additional oils, glycerine bases, fragrance, or other ingredients. Check the individual product's declaration.
Are all the soaps fragrance-free?
No. The Traditional bar has no added fragrance. Perfumed bars, liquid soaps, and sachets are scented. Check each product before choosing.
Do you use French fragrances?
Fragrances sourced from France are used in the perfumed range. The specific ingredients vary by product; a French fragrance does not necessarily mean the formula contains only essential oils.
Why is lye used in soapmaking?
Lye reacts with oils during saponification to form soap. Properly made finished soap should not contain unreacted lye. It is a manufacturing ingredient, not an extra cleanser added at the end.
What does first-press mean here?
It describes how the olive oil was obtained before soapmaking. It is an oil-source description, not a guarantee about how every skin type will respond. Our Pomace bar uses olive pomace oil and should be distinguished from the Traditional bar.
Does your soap contain SLS?
Check the ingredient list for the specific product. The Traditional olive oil bar is made without added synthetic detergents. Contact us if you need help checking another formula.
Can I use the soap on my face?
Check the intended use of the product. Some bars are offered for facial washing, but skin preferences vary. Test a small area first, avoid the eyes, and stop if irritation occurs. Loofah bars are intended for the body.
How should I store a bar between washes?
Use a draining dish and keep the bar out of standing water. Letting it dry between uses helps preserve its firmness.
Why do bars vary in appearance?
Hand pouring, cutting, and stamping create small variations in color, shape, and impressions. The Traditional bar is especially likely to show these differences.
Are sachets for washing?
No. Soap sachets are pouches of perfumed shavings for drawers, closets, and linen cupboards. Keep them dry and away from direct contact with delicate fabrics.
Orders and business inquiries
Where do U.S. orders ship from?
From Boston, Massachusetts. You do not need to wait for an individual parcel from Lebanon.
How long does delivery take?
U.S. delivery typically takes 2–5 business days after dispatch, depending on destination. Shipping estimates are not guaranteed arrival dates.
When is shipping free?
U.S. shipping is free on orders over $35. Shipping charges for other orders are shown at checkout.
Can I return a product?
Unopened, unused products in their original packaging may be eligible within 14 days of delivery. Ordinary return shipping is the customer's responsibility. See Shipping and Returns for details.
What if an item arrives damaged or incorrect?
Contact us within 14 days of delivery with your order number and photos of the item and packaging so we can review the issue.
Do you offer wholesale?
Yes. Retailers, hospitality teams, and gifting programs can request the wholesale catalog through our inquiry form.
Can I ask about private-label or custom soap?
Send a wholesale inquiry describing the product, quantity, packaging, and timing you have in mind. We can discuss feasibility and available options before making any commitments.
Can I visit the workshop?
Contact us before planning a visit so the Tripoli team can advise on current arrangements.