Natural soap making is sometimes viewed as nothing more than a set of recipes, proportions, and presentation. In reality, it is an intentional process that must be nurtured and observed. The process of making natural soap does not lend itself to rushing. It is a process that demands time and observation. Not just the observation of the process, but the observation of the ingredients. Different oils, butters, and botanicals have different personalities. There is no rushing the process. Time and patience are essential in making consistent quality soap.
An important part of natural soap making is the selection of ingredients. Quality ingredients do not necessarily mean the most expensive ingredients or the ingredients that are currently popular or trendy. The best ingredients for making natural soap are those that serve a purpose. Oils, butters, and botanicals should be selected based on what you want the final product to be, not because they are popular. That is not to say that popular ingredients should be avoided, but rather they should not be used indiscriminately.
In addition to ingredient selection, process is also important in making quality natural soap. Temperature, mixing time, and mixing technique all play a role in the final product. Making natural soap is as much of an art as it is a science. There is a science to making natural soap, but there is also an element of art and experience. Small changes in temperature or mixing time can affect the final product.
Natural soap making is also about sustainability and conservation. Making small batches of soap encourages sustainability. It encourages an awareness of the resources that are used to make the soap. It discourages waste and excess. Understanding the ingredients that you are using encourages sustainability. It encourages a respect for the ingredients and their origins. This encourages a sense of responsibility and conservation. Natural soap making discourages excess. The process of making natural soap discourages excess in terms of the ingredients used and the resources required to make it.
Lastly, natural soap making is about intention. It is about being intentional about what is being made and how it is being made. It is about being mindful of the ingredients and the process. It is about being present and aware. There is a meditative quality to making natural soap. As the batches are made, there is a presence and awareness that develops. The batches become meditative and intentional.
Making natural soap is not just about making soap. It is about a way of life. It is about being intentional and mindful. It is about conservation and sustainability. It is about patience and discipline. It is about practice and repetition. Natural soap making is about the process and the product.
