ABOUT THIS EVENT

Event Category

Education

Event Overview

This hands-on class is for those who want to learn how to make soap using the cold-process method (bar soap) from start to finish.  This is the most popular, easiest & fastest soap-making method.

We'll cover the following: 

- the science behind soap making, saponification, & other important soap terms like super-fatting & curing

- lye information & safety (read more below: "Safety First!") & a brief history of soap making

- the materials and ingredients needed and where to get them

- how to formulate a soap recipe based on your needs (e.g. dry skin, sensitive skin), using a very handy online soap calculator

- making your soap, choosing other soap additives like honey, exfoliants & essential oils, and what to do at home afterwards

Formulating a balanced recipe is the most important part of soap making, so my goal is for you to go home feeling very capable & comfortable with the intricacies of the soap calculator.   

Go home with a customized product!  In class, you will:

- choose a recipe that is best for your skin type (e.g. more conditioning or bubbly)

- make 8 oz. of soap, customized with your choice of essential oils and silicone mold, which you can keep and reuse (2-3 bars, depending on the mold)

- add other additives to your soap, if desired (honey for extra conditioning, amaranth for exfoliation) 

You'll also go home with 6 soap recipes and a thorough, step-by-step instructional handout, including ingredients, lye info, materials/equipment & suppliers.  

Everything is provided in the class, as well as some snacks & tea.

You must wear closed-toe shoes, a long-sleeved shirt and pants to this class.

Note that it takes at least 2 weeks for the soap to cure and be ready for use.  It will be hard to wait, but well worth it!  Then, you'll be ready to make your next batch of soap - it's addictive!  

 

The main differences between hot process and cold process soap making are:

- The amount of time it takes to make the soap

* Hot process: about 1.5 hours

* Cold process: about 30 minutes

- The appearance of the soap & working with additives 

* Hot process: because the soap saponifies & cures during the cooking phase, it thickens and hardens before putting it in a mold; so it has a chunky, earthy-kind-of-appearance.  This also makes it more difficult to add certain additives like color.

* Cold process: because the soap is put in the mold while it is still a semi-liquid, it has a smooth, creamy appearance once cured.  This consistency makes it better for working with certain additives like color; so swirling colors is much easier.

- The curing time

* Hot process: ready to use after 24 hours (this is the main reason to make hot process soap).  

* Cold process: has to cure for at least 2 weeks; then you can use it.

Safely First!  Since lye, NaOH, is used in the Beginner's Cold Process Soap Making Class, you will be provided the best safety equipment for the class.  A common question: is lye necessary for soap making?  Yes! A base is needed with one hydroxide ion, so Sodium Hydroxide is used...And it has many other uses as well!  But, don't worry, there is no lye in the final product due to the chemical reaction that takes place between the carrier oils and the lye, which is converted into salt!  My goal is for you to understand what lye is, how to handle lye & to respect lye, not fear it!  Come to class to learn more about lye, including its history & many other uses! 

What to Bring

Nothing!

Minimum age

All ages welcome

What's Provided

Everything is provided in the class, as well as snacks, coffee & tea.

Cancellation Policy

Location