There is a lot of really great information on soapmaking on the web. Compared to more popular pastimes, it is one subject matter that seems to have a lot more information available on it than one would expect. The only drawback is that all of the good information is spread out thinly over cyberspace, sometimes found in awkward-looking web pages from the mid 90's or mixed-in with opportunities to buy lavender-scented bath-bombs or buy viagra from flashing banners.

This wiki's mission is the same as all wikimedia projects: it hopes to concentrate soap-related information into tutorials and guides. Further, it hopes to build a cohesive network of like-minded, knowledgeable peers and mentors.

The motivation behind this comes from a casual survey of currently available soapmaking resources. Although there is a wikibook on this subject, it is not by far comprehensive. The wikibook is orphaned among other half-finished books, not having enough participation to be effective. Saponaceo.us postulates that a entire wiki devoted to the subject of soapmaking might gain more community involvement.

Another motivation came from having lots of soapmaking books, and none of them were comprehensive. The subject of soapmaking it seems is simply too vast and interdisciplinary. Books about soapmaking are typically composed of half basic technique and half basic recipes. Other books might go into some specific detail such as 'transparent soapmaking', vegetable oil based or goats-milk soaps, etc. None cover the very necessary, ancillary skills just beyond the scope of soapmaking (scenting and coloring (shared somewhat with candlemaking), moldmaking, cutter making, business, fairs, product presentation, branding, packaging, preservatives). And almost none of these books go into more than rudimentary detail regarding crucial aspects of soapmaking such as mold-making, mold-making materials, advanced swirling and building soap cutting devices.