Soapmaking 101 for beginners

SESSION 1: Foundations of Cold Process Soapmaking [Date: 10/5/25 Sunday at 2 pm]

Title: “Soapmaking from Scratch”
Duration: 3 hours
Objective: Learn the full cold process soapmaking method, safety, and step-by-step technique to make soap from scratch.

Topics Covered:

• Soapmaking basics and safety protocols
• Measuring and mixing ingredients
• Handling lye safely
• Achieving trace and pouring techniques
• Demolding and cutting

Hands-On Activity:

• Each participant makes their own 1 lb (454g) batch of soap using a provided beginner-friendly recipe. This soap batch will be cut in session 2 or session 3.

Materials Provided:

• Soapmaking ingredients (oils, lye, fragrance, etc.)
• Beginner soapmaking toolkit:
  • Digital scale
  • Silicone loaf mold
  • Soap cutter
  • 4 containers
  • 2 spatulas
  • Stick blender

Takeaway:

• 1 loaf of handmade soap (cut and unmolded in later sessions)
• Full soapmaking toolkit (participants keep for the course and beyond)

SESSION 2: Soap Recipe Creation + Design Theory [Date:10/12/25 Sunday at 2 pm]

Title: “Create Your Signature Recipe”
Duration: 3.5 hours
Objective: Learn the theory of soap formulation and use a soap calculator to design a personalized recipe.

Topics Covered:

• Understanding oil properties (hardness, lather, cleansing, conditioning)
• Superfatting and water discount
• Step-by-step walkthrough of a soap calculator (e.g. SoapCalc)
• How to balance a recipe for function and aesthetics
• Basics of fragrance usage and color planning

Hands-On Activity:

• Instructor-led demo: Using a soap calculator to build a recipe
• Each participant finalizes their own 2 lb soap recipe with instructor guidance
• Unmold & cut last session’s soap loaf
• Plan design and fragrance for Session 3.

Takeaway:

• Custom soap recipe sheet (to bring ingredients for Session 3)
• Confidence using soap calculator and understanding formulation theory

SESSION 3: Make Your Own Soap Recipe into a soap [Date: 10/19/25 Sunday at 2 pm]

Title: “Bring Your Recipe to Life”
Duration: 3 hours
Objective: Use your personalized recipe to make a full batch of cold process soap, adding scent and simple design elements.

Requirements:

• Participants bring their own ingredients based on their 2 lb recipe (list provided at end of Session 2)
• Bring toolkit provided in Session 1

Topics Covered:

• Review of safety and process
• Using natural or synthetic colorants
• Simple soap design techniques (e.g., layering, swirls, textures)
• Best practices for scent addition

Hands-On Activity:

• Participants make their own 2 lb batch using their custom recipe
• Add fragrance and apply simple design techniques

Takeaway:

• 1 loaf of your personally formulated and designed soap
• Greater confidence in independent soapmaking

🎁 BONUS: Online Q&A Session (1 hr.) [Date: 12/13/25 Sunday at 2 pm]

Date: 2 months after Session 3
Format: Virtual Google Meet session
Objective: Check in on how participant soaps cured, answer follow-up questions, troubleshoot any issues, and offer further tips.