And So It Begins... With Soap!

It is in times like these, when access to day to day items like toilet paper and basic grocery items have become limited, that individuals find themselves pulling back from dependence on national and global markets and reverting back to what many may remember as children taught to them by their elders: Self Reliance.

Our grandparents and great grandparents were well aware of how important it was to be self-reliant, having gone through their own challenging times with the Great Depression and War era limitations. My grandparents had a farm, so growing and canning their own food was a normal process for them. We spent many a late afternoon shucking corn, snapping beans, and enjoying fresh watermelon from the garden.

It is also during this time of limitation that we are rediscovering our own ability to be self-reliant. Secondhand stores are booming in popularity as individuals want to be more conscientious of their dollar and their impact on the world with waste. “An average consumer throws away 70 pounds (31.75 kilograms) of clothing per year. Globally we produce 13 million tons of textile waste each year 95% of which could be reused or recycled.”(1) Farmer’s Markets are popping up more in urban areas and are thriving.(2) More individuals are moving toward more energy efficient “off the grid” modes of living spaces.(3)

What does this have to do with soap, you say?

It was not only this drive to be self-reliant that pushed me to learn how to make my own soap, a basic good that everyone needs, but also wanting to be more aware of what was in the products I was purchasing. In researching the ingredients used in everyday household goods, I thought, I can do better for my family. “Chemicals in common soaps are no joke. They can disrupt our hormones, promote allergies, lead to reproductive issues, and increase risk of some cancers. With serious side effects like these, we need to be particular about what we put on our skin.” (4)

With this in mind, I started making my own soap in 2011, sharing with family and friends until opening Myrtle Natural Soap Company, named after my mother, Myrtle Annette. We are a small, single batch outfit, customizing each bar with you and your family in mind.

Enjoy & stay healthy, my friends!

Photo by Sarah Oden Photography

(1) https://theprettyplaneteer.com/fashion-industry-waste/#:~:text=An%20average%20consumer%20throws%20away,could%20be%20reused%20or%20recycled.

(2) https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/08/05/farmers-markets-community-centerpieces

(3) https://www.forbes.com/hsbcpersonaleconomy/finding-peace-and-purpose.html

(4)https://www.healthywomen.org/content/blog-entry/whats-hiding-your-soap-four-toxic-ingredients-avoid