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How To Make Soap - Homemade Soap Making for Beginners

Shona O'Connor and Howorama Inc.

Take this course and you will learn how to make beautiful, natural handmade soap from scratch, at home, using the ingredients of your choice.

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Take this course and you will learn how to make beautiful, natural handmade soap from scratch, at home, using the ingredients of your choice.

The course will give you all the information that you need about oils, butters and fragrances, so that you can easily create your own recipes. I share my own recipes for the soaps demonstrated to give you a start. You can use animal fats or make vegan soap.

With the knowledge you get from this course, you won't have to be limited to following other people's recipes - you will be able to create your own unique handcrafted soaps.

Soapmaking is like any hobby - you can spend a fortune on it. However, in this course I will show you how to get started by using regular kitchen equipment and inexpensive ingredients that you can get in your local supermarket and health food store.

You will discover how to use household or dollar store items as molds, so that you can get started straight away at little or no cost. I will even show you how to make a wooden mold at a fraction of the cost of buying one.

You will see how to colour your soap with natural and cosmetic colours. The course will also show you a colour swirling technique, as well as how to make shampoo, shaving and an exfoliating soap.

FAQs

Q) What method of soap making is used in this course?A) This course covers Cold Process soap making.

Q) Does this course cover Melt and Pour Soap making?A) No. This course shows you how to make soap from scratch using the Cold Process Method.

Q) Does this course cover Hot Process Soap making?A) No the method taught in this course is Cold Process, although the basic method for Hot Process soap is discussed.

Q) Does this course teach how to make soap without lye?

A) No, you cannot make soap from scratch without using lye. You will be left with oils and water and NO soap.

Q) Is this method of soap making suitable for children to do?A) Some people allow their children to do soap making, however that is usually using the Melt and Pour method. The lye in Cold Process soap making is caustic and will burn the skin, so I would not recommend children or animals to be around while soap making.

Q) What if I run into problems while making my soap?A) I have highlighted all the important things that you need to know. However, if you do have any problems I'll be there in the discussion area, ready to help you

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Create home made natural soap from scratch, using natural ingredients, which you probably have in your pantry
  • Make pure and natural soap, free from harmful ingredients, avoiding known irritants
  • Easily calculate how much soap you need to make to fill your mold, and create your own recipes
  • Use colours and fragrances to create fabulous looking, amazing smelling soap, that is good enough to give as gifts, or sell
  • Use inexpensive items to create amazing packaging for your soap.
  • Build and develop a new creative hobby.

Syllabus

Introduction
What You Need to Know About This Course
The Cold Proces Soap Method
Soap Making Terms
Read more
What You Will Need To Get Started
Section Introduction

Essential information about safety while soap making. Essential viewing to avoid accidents.

Lye Safety

Discover what soap making equipment you will need and where to source it at minimum cost.

Soap Making Equipment

Learn about different molds. How to source cheap or free molds as well as specialist loaf, slab and milky way molds

Finding Soap Molds

Make a wooden loaf mold at home, with no previous wood working skills

How to Decide What SIze Wooden Mold To Make

How to line a wooden soap loaf mold

What containers to use as molds

Overview of Ingredients
Finding Suppliers
Section Summary
What You Need to Know Before Making Your Soap
Section Intro
Accurate Methods for Measuring Your Ingredients
Measuring your ingredients
Lye
Water

Learn which ingredients are required for soap making so that you can make your own recipes

Adding Colours to Your Soap

Using Colours in Cold Process Soap

Demonstration of how to dilute and use lab colors in CP soap

Mixing Colours

Information on the different types of fragrances, how to use them and how to buy them cheaply.

Fragrancing your soap
Making a Plain Bar Of Soap
Making Lye Water

What do you remember about making your lye water

Melting Oils and Creating Soap Batter
Temperatures in Soap Making
Putting Plain Soap Into The Mold

How to clear up quickly and safely without causing any plumbing disaters.

Turning Out and Cutting Plain Soap

The best way to cut, cure  and store your soap.

Storing and Curing Your Soap
Making Soap Using a Natural Colourant
Introduction to Making Soap with a Natural Colourant
Making Soap
Cutting Paprika Soap
Making A Loaf of Soap
Making Swirled Loaf Soap

Cutting your loaf of soap

Making Exfoliating Soap
Making Gardener's Soap
Cutting Exfoliating Soap
Making Confetti Soap
Section introduction
Tuning Out and Cutting Confetti Soap
Shaving Soap

Demonstration of how to make shaving soap

How to Create Your Own Recipes
How To Calculate The Amount Of Your Base Oils
How to Calculate the Volume of a Cylindrical Mod
How to Calculate The Volume of a Rectangular Mold
Choosing Your Base Oils
Other Additives For CP Soap
Creating Your Own Recipes

How to use a lye calculator to calculate you soap recipe

Soap Making Tips
Introduction To Soap Making Tips
Why And When to Cover Your Soap
Understanding Gel Phase
How To Prevent and Get Rid of Soda Ash
How to Prevent Fragrances From Accelerating Trace
Soap Making in Hot Temperatures
Rebatching Your Soap
Introduction to Rebatching Your Soap

How to rebatch soap that has gone wrong

Cutting the rebatched loaf soap

Labeling and Packaging Your Soaps

The facts you need to know about labeling your soap correctly

Demonstration of various ways to package your soap for gifts or to sell.

Troubleshooting
Introduction to Troubleshooting
Bonus and Additional Resources
Bonus Lecture

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for beginners, as it provides clear instructions and a lot of essential information
Focuses on practical skills, enabling learners to create handmade soap from scratch
Covers a range of techniques, including color swirling and making various types of soap
Provides guidance on packaging and labeling soap for potential sale
Instructs learners on how to source inexpensive materials and equipment
May require learners to invest in specialized equipment for advanced techniques
Assumes basic knowledge of soap making concepts and terminology

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Reviews summary

Beginner soap making course

According to students, this beginner soap making course is a great resource for beginners who want to learn how to make their own soap. Learners state that this course teaches the most important things about soap making and leaves them ready to begin making their own soap.
This course is a great fit for learners who are new to soap making.
"it was a great course for me because i just started making soap."
"The course teaches the most important things and leaves the learner ready to begin making their own soap."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How To Make Soap - Homemade Soap Making for Beginners with these activities:
Review basic chemistry concepts
Sharpen your understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry, which are crucial for success in this soap-making course.
Browse courses on Chemistry
Show steps
  • Revisit your high school chemistry notes or textbooks.
  • Take online practice quizzes or solve chemistry problems.
  • Attend a refresher workshop or course on basic chemistry.
Explore soap-making techniques on YouTube
Gain practical insights by watching experienced soap makers demonstrate their techniques and share their knowledge.
Show steps
  • Search for soap-making tutorials on YouTube.
  • Follow along with the steps, paying attention to safety precautions.
  • Take notes on tips and tricks shared by the soap makers.
Calculate soap recipes using a lye calculator
Develop proficiency in calculating soap recipes using a lye calculator, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of your soap-making process.
Show steps
  • Familiarize yourself with the different types of lye calculators available.
  • Input the desired oils, butters, and additives into the calculator.
  • Review and adjust the recipe as needed based on the calculator's results.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a soap-making glossary
Solidify your understanding of soap-making terminology by creating a glossary of key terms and their definitions.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm a list of soap-making terms you encounter during the course.
  • Research and define each term accurately.
  • Organize the terms alphabetically or by category.
Join an online soap-making community
Connect with other soap makers, share knowledge, and troubleshoot challenges to enhance your learning experience.
Show steps
  • Search for soap-making forums or groups on social media.
  • Introduce yourself and ask questions to the community.
  • Participate in discussions and share your own experiences.
Design and create a custom soap mold
Challenge yourself by designing and creating a custom soap mold, allowing you to produce unique and personalized soaps.
Show steps
  • Research different mold designs and materials.
  • Sketch out your mold design, considering the desired shape and size.
  • Choose appropriate materials for your mold, such as wood, silicone, or plastic.
  • Construct your mold according to your design.
Contribute to the Soap Making HQ open-source project
Expand your knowledge and support the soap-making community by contributing to the Soap Making HQ open-source project.
Show steps
  • Explore the Soap Making HQ project on GitHub.
  • Identify areas where you can contribute, such as documentation, code, or tutorials.
  • Create a pull request with your contributions.

Career center

Learners who complete How To Make Soap - Homemade Soap Making for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Soap Maker
Soap Makers are responsible for the production of soap products. This course provides comprehensive training in the art of soap making, including the use of natural ingredients, fragrances, and colors. With this knowledge, students will be well-prepared for a career as a Soap Maker.
Craft Product Demonstrator
Craft Product Demonstrators often work for retailers that sell homemade products. They interact with customers to give them demonstrations of how products are used, which may include soap making. This course not only teaches the basics of soap making but also provides students with the opportunity to create their own soap recipes.
Chemical Technician
Chemical Technicians are involved in the production, testing, and analysis of chemical products, such as soap. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the chemical process of soap making, which would be valuable for Chemical Technicians working in this industry.
Production Associate
Production Associates are responsible for operating and maintaining machinery and equipment used in the production of goods, including soap. This course provides a practical understanding of the soap making process, which would be beneficial for Production Associates working in a soap manufacturing facility.
Quality Control Inspector
Quality Control Inspectors are responsible for ensuring that products meet quality standards. In the soap industry, this may involve inspecting soap products for defects and ensuring that they meet safety regulations. This course helps build a foundation in understanding the soap making process, which is essential for Quality Control Inspectors in this industry.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs may start their own soap-making businesses. This course provides the necessary knowledge and skills to start a soap-making business, including how to create soap recipes, package soap products, and market them to customers.
Cosmetics Manufacturer
Cosmetics Manufacturers may produce soap as part of their product line. This course provides a foundation in the science of soap making, which is essential for Cosmetics Manufacturers to understand the composition and properties of their products.
Product Developer
Product Developers may be involved in the development of new soap products. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the soap making process, which would be valuable for Product Developers working in this industry.
Retail Salesperson
Retail Salespeople may sell soap products as part of their job. This course provides knowledge about the different types of soaps, their ingredients, and their benefits, which would be helpful for Retail Salespeople when assisting customers.
Teacher
Teachers may teach courses on soap making or related subjects. This course provides a comprehensive curriculum for teaching soap making, including lesson plans and demonstrations. With this knowledge, students will be prepared to teach soap making effectively.
Skincare Specialist
Skincare Specialists may use or recommend soap products as part of their skincare treatments. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the properties of different soaps, which would be valuable for Skincare Specialists to provide informed recommendations to their clients.
Cosmetologist
Cosmetologists may use or recommend soap products as part of their beauty treatments. This course provides a basic understanding of the science of soap making, which would be valuable for Cosmetologists to understand the composition and properties of the products they use.
Lab Technician
Lab Technicians may be involved in the testing and analysis of soap products. This course provides a foundation in the science of soap making, which is essential for Lab Technicians to understand the composition and properties of the products they test.
Chemist
Chemists may be involved in the research and development of new soap products. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the science of soap making, which would be valuable for Chemists working in this industry.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists may dispense soap products as part of their job. This course provides a basic understanding of the science of soap making, which would be valuable for Pharmacists to understand the composition and properties of the products they dispense.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How To Make Soap - Homemade Soap Making for Beginners.
Comprises a vast amount of valuable information for the soapmaker, whether a novice, an experienced crafter, or budding entrepreneur. With detailed instructions, helpful tips, troubleshooting advice, and inspiring ideas, this book offers a comprehensive guide to the art of soapmaking.
Contains a variety of soapmaking recipes, techniques, and projects. It great resource for both beginners and experienced soapmakers who are looking for new ideas.
Great resource for soapmakers of all levels. It includes a variety of recipes for different types of soap, as well as tips and techniques for making soap.
Great resource for soapmakers who want to learn more about the science behind soapmaking. It covers topics such as the saponification process, lye safety, and troubleshooting.
Great resource for soapmakers of all levels. It covers everything from the basics of soapmaking to advanced techniques, such as making soap from scratch and using essential oils.
Comprehensive reference for soapmakers of all levels. It covers everything from the history of soapmaking to the latest techniques and trends.
A beginner-oriented guide to soapmaking, this book provides a clear and accessible introduction to the craft. It covers the basics of soapmaking, safety measures, and troubleshooting, making it an excellent starting point for those new to the hobby.
Great resource for soapmakers who want to learn more about the science behind soapmaking. It covers everything from the chemistry of soap to the different techniques used to make soap.

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