Soap from
185 years of craft
Germany's oldest soap manufactory: founded in Heidelberg in 1840, now based in Plankstadt. Artisan tradition, five-fold milling, 100% vegan and plastic-free. KLAR Seifen makes the simple extraordinarily good.
All KLAR productsFrom journeyman to Germany's oldest soap manufactory
Philipp Klar began making handcrafted soaps in 1840 on Heidelberg's main street. Before that, he had mastered the art of soap-making as a travelling journeyman, reaching as far as St. Petersburg. On returning to Heidelberg, he opened a small manufactory with an attached shop, laying the foundation for what is today known as Germany's oldest soap manufactory.
His son Theobald Klar expanded the business around the turn of the century and developed recipes that KLAR still uses today. The company remained in family hands through several generations. Around the turn of the millennium, the manufactory faced an uncertain future: no family successor was in sight. Niels Klar, the founder's great-great-grandson, took over and restructured the business together with managing director Jan Heipcke.
Jan Heipcke übernahm die Manufaktur 2019 vollständig und führt sie seitdem als Geschäftsführer. Unter seiner Leitung konzentrierte sich KLAR wieder auf die eigene Marke, transitioned the entire range to vegan and palm oil-free formulas und bezog 2020 einen modernen Neubau in Plankstadt, ausgestattet mit einer Photovoltaikanlage,, die den gesamten Energiebedarf der Produktion deckt.
„Seife ist einfach ein schönes Produkt, das die Menschen seit Tausenden von Jahren begleitet."
Jan Heipcke, Managing Director KLAR SeifenFive-fold milling: what it means
Most soap manufacturers mill their base mass three times. At KLAR it is five passes. These additional steps compact the soap, homogenise the ingredients and make the final product significantly more economical and longer-lasting than standard bar soaps. This is not a marketing claim, but a measurable difference in texture and usage.
Cooking the base soap
Olivenöl und Kokosöl werden mit einer Lauge versetzt. Diese Kombination erzeugt einen besonders geschmeidigen Schaum, ohne den Einsatz von Palmöl,, das die Seifenherstellung traditionell vereinfacht, aber bei KLAR konsequent vermieden wird.
Five-fold milling
Five milling passes make the soap mass exceptionally fine and homogeneous. This step distinguishes artisan fine soaps from industrially produced products. The result is a dense, long-lasting bar.
Fragrances and actives
Essential oils, plant extracts and further actives are incorporated only after the milling process. According to KLAR, the company primarily uses regional raw materials: lavender from the Swabian Alb, Riesling and Pinot Noir from the Heidelberg region.
Pressing with historic moulds
Many soaps are stamped with moulds that have been used in the manufactory for generations. The polar bear logo, which first appeared on KLAR products in 1870, remains the brand's hallmark to this day.
Five product categories
Das KLAR-Range at Belladonna umfasst die wichtigsten Seifenkategorien: von der alltäglichen Körperpflege bis zur klassischen Nassrasur.
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Healing Earth Soap:
Craft meets natural ingredient
KLAR's healing earth soap combines the manufactory's artisan soap-making with the natural ingredient healing earth. It is palm oil-free, 100% vegan and particularly long-lasting thanks to the traditional five-fold milling. The soap is plastic-free packaged and produced in Plankstadt near Heidelberg.
Soap has always been the most sustainable cleansing product
According to its own statements, KLAR Seifen has always produced on a natural basis and has consistently driven the transition to vegan, palm oil-free and plastic-free packaged products. The new building in Plankstadt (2020) is powered entirely by a photovoltaic system that covers 100% of production energy needs.
According to KLAR, the company primarily uses regional raw materials: lavender from the Swabian Alb, wine from the Heidelberg region. Short transport routes and production in Germany are, by the brand's own account, a deliberate commitment to the location. Plastic-free applies both to the products themselves and to shipping packaging.
Everything you need to know about KLAR Seifen
Answers to the most common questions about ingredients and application can also be found in the FAQ section below.
What sets KLAR apart from other soaps?
Der wesentliche Unterschied liegt im Herstellungsprozess: Five-fold milling statt dem üblichen dreifachen Durchgang macht KLAR-Feinseifen besonders dicht, homogen und ergiebig. Ein Stück KLAR-Seife hält bei regelmäßiger Nutzung deutlich länger als vergleichbare Produkte. Hinzu kommen die consistently vegan, palm oil-free formulas and plastic-free packaging.
Which skin types suit KLAR soaps?
The range is broad. Classic soaps based on olive oil and coconut oil are, according to the brand, suitable for normal skin. For sensitive or dry skin, the superfatted variants are recommended. The fragrance-free core soap is frequently used by people with skin allergies or sensitive skin. Those interested in shaving soap will find a classic wet-shave alternative to synthetic shaving foams.
How do I care for my KLAR soap properly?
Solid soaps last longer when they drain well after use and can dry out completely between applications. A soap dish with drainage noticeably extends their lifespan. A covered soap tin should be avoided, as moisture softens the soap faster. With proper care, a KLAR bar is very economical.
What does palm oil-free mean for soaps?
Palmöl wird in der Seifenherstellung traditionell eingesetzt, weil es einen harten Seifenstrang mit gutem Schaum erzeugt. KLAR ersetzt Palmöl durch Olivenöl und Kokosöl, was technisch anspruchsvoller ist, aber denselben Effekt erzielt. Der Verzicht auf Palmöl ist eine Reaktion auf die bekannten ökologischen Probleme des Palmölanbaus: Regenwaldzerstörung und Biodiversitätsverlust.
Shaving soap: is it worth switching?
KLAR shaving soaps are designed for classic wet shaving with a brush and bowl. The lather is denser and more stable than from canned shaving foam. Switching requires some practice, but is more economical and free from propellants and synthetic preservatives. For people with sensitive skin, wet shaving can be a gentler alternative.
Where can I try KLAR soaps?
KLAR operates shops in Heidelberg and other cities where products can be experienced in person. At Belladonna you can request samples with every order. The Belladonna team is available for personal recommendations online and by phone. A free consultation is available to book.
Frequently asked questions about KLAR Seifen
Discover KLAR Seifen at Belladonna
185 Jahre Seifenhandwerk aus Heidelberg. Vegan, palm oil-free, plastic-free. Oder buchen Sie eine kostenlose persönliche Beratung.