SOAP MAKING
July 20, 2019
Class time: 4 hours
Location: Edgegrove Farm, Purcellville VA (address and directions provided after you register)
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
You will go home with:
The skills to make beautiful handmade soaps for your friends and family
Two 4 oz bars of soap
Two silicone molds (you get to choose from several shapes)
4 recipes to try at home
A full materials list
Class handouts
During the workshop you will:
Make soap!
Learn how to add color to soap
Learn the chemistry of soap making
Learn how to choose ingredients for a custom soap and start using a lye calculator
Enjoy herbal tea and delicious snacks during the break
During this workshop we will go step-by-step through the process of soap making allowing you time to create your own bars of soap.
Topics covered during the workshop:
Safety concerns – working with Sodium Hydroxide (aka lye)
Soap making chemistry! We will go over important terms and processes such as: saponification, superfat, curing, gel phase and trace
Materials and ingredients needed to make beautiful handmade soaps
Introduction to choosing fats and oils. We will discuss which oils and fats create a soft soap verses a hard long-lasting bar
Using a soap calculator
Creating your own recipes, tips on formulation and how to calculate a batch based on the size of mold you are using
Using pigments, herbs and other additives (ex: exfoliants, particulates) to add interest to your soap. We will discuss which ingredients to avoid and why.
Troubleshooting common mistakes and how to avoid them
Testing the pH of your finished soap
IMPORTANT
In the event we do not have a minimum of 3 participants registered, we will cancel this class and provide you with a full refund. The maximum number of participants is 6 – this ensures your safety and allows for plenty of one-on-one instruction.
TO BRING WITH YOU
clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, closed-toe shoes, long sleeves and pants.
Protective eye wear and gloves will be provided.