FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2003

Contact:

Mic LeBel, 207-563-7695 mic@planetfriendlypr.com

NEW ORGANIC ECO-BRICKS ARE GOOD FOR THE SKIN

Customers Cut their Own Bars & Save Cash

      Middlebury, VT – Vermont Soapworks, the largest manufacturer of handmade natural soap in North America, is pleased to announce a new line of Organic Eco Bricks. These handmade bar soaps are loaded with natural moisturizing ingredients. Eco Bricks are large economy size “bricks” from which 12 bars of soap can be cut. Each of the Eco Bricks is made with pure essential oils and retails for $29.88. The varieties offered include Aloe Baby, Balsam Swirl, Blue Bar, Butter Bar, Citrus Sunrise, Honey Soap, Lavender Flowers, Lavender Swirl, Lemongrass, Oatmeal Lavender, Oats 'N Aloe Unscented, Patchouli Hemp, Peppermint Magic, Rose Geranium, Rosemary Herb, Shampoo Bar, Tea Tree, Woodspice and Vanilla Oatmeal.

      “We started selling Eco Bricks to retailers who cater to consumers that enjoy the old-market style of cutting their own bars,” notes company President Larry Plesent. “Now the Eco-Brick is packaged for consumers to purchase and cut at home,” adds Plesent. The “Eco” in Eco Brick means that it is more economical - consumers save $1.20 per bar. “The “Eco” also stands for protecting the environment because there is far less packaging waste than buying 12 individual bars of boxed soap,” adds Plesent. The container is made from 100% recycled kraft cardboard, and each brick contains at least 70% organic ingredients.

      “Eco Bricks are mild and moisturizing due to the use of botanical ingredients, and to the handmade process itself,” says Plesent. “It takes a month to make and cure a brick of organic handmade soap. This is the mildest way to make soap,” he adds. Natural plant-based ingredients and an alkaline solution are blended in small batches and poured into wooden block molds. The molds are warmed for several days, which forces the soap to set up very slowly. Excess alkali, a major cause of the dryness and irritation often found in conventional bar soaps, rises to the top like cream and is skimmed away. When ready, the bricks are placed on oak drying frames and aged in a special curing room for nearly a month.

      Vermont Soapworks products do not contain artificial colors or fragrances, or preservatives and are not tested on animals. Unlike Organic Eco Bricks, conventional soaps usually contain detergents and synthetic substances that can dry and damage sensitive skin, such as Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, and Triclosan (anti-bacterial agent) - substances which have been proven harmful to human health and can cause severe skin irritation. Vermont Soapworks' products are sold in natural health stores and pharmacies nationwide. For more information, visit www.vermontsoap.com or call toll-free 1-866-SOAP4U2.