Field Notes

Why Coastal Marshes Matter: More Than a Place to Catch Redfish
Why Coastal Marshes Matter: More Than a Place to Catch Redfish
Coastal marshes are more than beautiful redfish water. Here’s why these places matter, what threatens them, and how anglers and visitors can tread more carefully. Read more...
The History of Soap: From Ancient Fires to the Modern Bar
The History of Soap: From Ancient Fires to the Modern Bar
Soap has traveled a long road from early mixtures of fats and alkaline ash to the bars we use today. Here’s how a simple idea became an everyday essential. Read more...
The 5 Best States for Redfish: Ol’ Mac’s Picks
The 5 Best States for Redfish: Ol’ Mac’s Picks
From Louisiana marshes to the Carolina coast to the everlasting coastline of Florida, here are Ol’ Mac’s five favorite states to plan a redfish trip, and what makes each one... Read more...
The Best Starting Points for Overlanding Rigs: Ol’ Mac’s Picks
The Best Starting Points for Overlanding Rigs: Ol’ Mac’s Picks
From a Land Cruiser and Tacoma to an H2 and two old-school diesels, here are Ol’ Mac’s picks for starting an overlanding rig—and why the best one might already be... Read more...
What Does Sagebrush Smell Like? A Walk Through the Scent
What Does Sagebrush Smell Like? A Walk Through the Scent
Explore the scent behind Sagebrush Natural Tallow Soap, where warm cedarwood meets fresh rosemary in a blend inspired by weathered wood, open roads, and miles of sky. Read more...
Sagebrush: Natural Tallow Soap Made for the Miles Between
Sagebrush: Natural Tallow Soap Made for the Miles Between
Meet Sagebrush, a natural tallow soap scented with cedarwood and rosemary essential oils and inspired by dry wind, weathered wood, and wide-open country. Read more...
Why Ol' McDonald Soap Co. Makes the Best Handcrafted Tallow Soap in the USA
Why Ol' McDonald Soap Co. Makes the Best Handcrafted Tallow Soap in the USA
Ol’ McDonald Soap Co. makes straightforward traditional tallow soap with short, easy-to-understand ingredient lists. Discover what sets our bars apart, from rich, creamy lather to rugged, outdoor-inspired craftsmanship made in... Read more...
The Best Gifts for Dads (That He'll Actually Use)
The Best Gifts for Dads (That He'll Actually Use)
Stop giving your dad gifts he'll never use. Ol' McDonald Soap Co. makes handcrafted bar soaps — natural, rugged, and built for men who actually work. Find the perfect gift... Read more...
Choosing a Simple Bar Soap for Everyday Use
Choosing a Simple Bar Soap for Everyday Use
Looking for a simple bar soap? Learn what to look for on an ingredient label and why Glacier Pure keeps the formula straightforward. Read more...
Why Choose Fragrance-Free Soap?
Why Choose Fragrance-Free Soap?
Fragrance-free soap keeps things simple. Learn the difference between unscented and fragrance-free bars, and meet Glacier Pure. Read more...
Why Our Soap Comes in a Box Worth Keeping
Why Our Soap Comes in a Box Worth Keeping
Our illustrated soap boxes are inspired by the wild places behind every bar. Here’s why packaging is part of the Ol’ McDonald Soap Co. experience.   Read more...
What Makes Handmade Soap Different?
What Makes Handmade Soap Different?
Handmade soap is more than a label. Learn how traditional bar soap is made and what sets a small-batch bar apart. Read more...
What Does “Natural Soap” Really Mean? A Straightforward Guide
What Does “Natural Soap” Really Mean? A Straightforward Guide
“Natural” is everywhere on soap labels, but the word alone does not tell the full story. Here’s what to look for when choosing a traditional bar soap. Read more...
Soap Worth Leaving Out: Design, Gifts, and Everyday Use
Soap Worth Leaving Out: Design, Gifts, and Everyday Use
A bar of soap can be practical and still have character. See why Ol’ McDonald Soap Co. makes traditional tallow soap worth leaving out. Read more...
The Best Bar Soap for the Shower (And Why It's Not What You Think)
The Best Bar Soap for the Shower (And Why It's Not What You Think)
Most people grab whatever's on sale and never think twice. That's fine — until you start wondering why your skin feels tight and dry every time you step out of... Read more...
This Is What American Soap Packaging Should Look Like
This Is What American Soap Packaging Should Look Like
Pick up a bar of soap at any big box store and you'll see the same thing: a stock photo, unverifiable claims, and packaging designed to sell. We took a... Read more...
Natural Soap: What It Is, What It Isn't, and How to Find the Real Thing
Natural Soap: What It Is, What It Isn't, and How to Find the Real Thing
Search "natural soap" and you'll get thousands of results. Most of it is marketing. Very little of it is natural. Here's how to tell the difference. Read more...
How Tallow Soap Nourishes Dry and Sensitive Skin Naturally
How Tallow Soap Nourishes Dry and Sensitive Skin Naturally
Most soaps strip your skin.Tallow soap does the opposite — its fatty acids mirror your skin's natural oils, cleaning gently while supporting the moisture barrier. If you've got dry or... Read more...
Camping Soap: What to Pack for the Backcountry
Camping Soap: What to Pack for the Backcountry
Heading into the backcountry? Learn what to look for in a trail-worthy bar of soap—from durability and simple ingredients to responsible Leave No Trace cleanup. Read more...
Why Tallow Is The Best Soap Making Material | Ol’ McDonald Soap Co.
Why Tallow Is The Best Soap Making Material | Ol’ McDonald Soap Co.
Made with beef tallow and straightforward ingredients, our bars are built for real life: firm, long-lasting, and rich in creamy lather. Learn why this traditional soapmaking ingredient still earns its... Read more...
Beef Tallow vs. Regular Soap: What's the Difference
Beef Tallow vs. Regular Soap: What's the Difference
Learn how beef tallow soap differs from many commercial cleansing bars, why its traditional formula matters, and what makes Glacier Pure a simple, handcrafted choice.shopify Read more...
Real Citrus Soap
Real Citrus Soap
What’s really in Saltwater Citrus? Five straightforward ingredients: tallow, coconut oil, water, and real bergamot, tangerine, and eucalyptus essential oils. Read more...
Why Our Soap Only Has Two Ingredients
Why Our Soap Only Has Two Ingredients
Glacier Pure is made with just saponified beef tallow and water—no fragrance, fillers, or unnecessary extras. Here’s why we keep our simplest bar that simple. Read more...
What’s Really in Your Soap?
What’s Really in Your Soap?
What is really in your bar of soap? Learn about the straightforward ingredients we use, why we use tallow, and what we choose to leave out. Read more...
A practical gift for the dad who never asks for anything.
A practical gift for the dad who never asks for anything.
Finding a gift for Dad is rarely easy. He says he does not need anything, already has a drawer full of unused gadgets, and would probably rather be in the... Read more...
What Makes Ol’ McDonald Soap Different
What Makes Ol’ McDonald Soap Different
Traditional tallow soap, original artwork, and small-batch craftsmanship—made for people who work hard, get outside, and appreciate a dependable bar.  Read more...
Best Gifts for Hunters and Fishermen
Best Gifts for Hunters and Fishermen
Rugged, natural bar soaps made for hunters and fishermen. Find the best artisan soap gifts for the outdoorsman in your life — no synthetic fragrances, just clean ingredients inspired by... Read more...
The Best Soap for Dry Skin (And What to Avoid)
The Best Soap for Dry Skin (And What to Avoid)
If your skin feels tight, itchy, or dry after washing, most people reach for lotion. But the better fix is usually upstream — it's the soap itself. Read more...
The Case for Unscented Soap (And Why It's Harder to Make Than You Think)
The Case for Unscented Soap (And Why It's Harder to Make Than You Think)
Unscented soap doesn't get much attention. It's not flashy. It just cleans and gets out of the way. For a lot of people, that's exactly what they need. Read more...
Why Handmade Soap Is Worth It
Why Handmade Soap Is Worth It
Mass-produced soap is engineered for consistency, shelf life, and cost. Handmade soap is made for your skin. Here's the difference. Read more...
Soap That Looks as Good as It Works
Soap That Looks as Good as It Works
Somewhere along the way, soap became invisible. A generic white bar shoved in a dish, or a plastic pump nobody looks at twice. That's changing. Read more...
How To Read A Cosmetic Label
How To Read A Cosmetic Label
"Natural" is on every soap label. But it's not regulated, not verified, and not always true. Here's how to actually read a soap label — and what sets a genuinely... Read more...
Why We Use Tallow in Our Soap (And Why You Should Care)
Why We Use Tallow in Our Soap (And Why You Should Care)
Before synthetic detergents took over the shelves, soap was made from what the land provided. At Ol' McDonald Soap Co., we still make it that way — with beef tallow,... Read more...
Tallow Soap: A Traditional Choice for Gentle Cleansing | Ol’ McDonald Soap Co.
Tallow Soap: A Traditional Choice for Gentle Cleansing | Ol’ McDonald Soap Co.
What is tallow soap? Discover why traditional soapmakers value this simple, dependable bar for creamy lather and everyday cleansing Read more...
Why Tallow Soap is Better for Your Skin
Why Tallow Soap is Better for Your Skin
Most people have never heard of tallow soap. But for centuries, it was the soap. Here's why this ancient ingredient is making a comeback — and why it might be... Read more...