Discover the Best Soap Making Classes in NYC
From a Phoenician concoction of goat’s tallow and wood ashes over 2000 years ago to the skin-soothing creations of modern-day soap artisans, soap has long been a cleaning staple for cultures around the world. At its most basic, soap making mixes water and lye, adds a melted fat, and allows it to harden and cure. These elements combine in a chemical reaction called saponification and render a soap that lifts soils from a surface and carries them away.
There are three basic methods of making soap. Handmade soap can be made by a cold process at room temperature, which yields a silky bar with gentle, moisturizing oils for skin-soothing softness. The hot process “cooks” at a low temperature, like a low-heat crock pot, and yields a more chunky, rustic bar that requires significantly less curing time. Alternatively, melt-and-pour soap skips the chemistry and caustic ingredients with a pre-saponified soap base that you simply melt in the microwave, embellish with your desired fragrance or color, and pour into a mold.
Making soap by hand has experienced a resurgence. The soap aisle at the grocery store is still stocked with generic factory-made bars, but the process has migrated back into the hands of makers and artisans. Once you master the process, you can craft a sudsy bar that is just for you.
Why You Should Learn Soap Making in NYC
Many hobbyists and boutique soap makers use centuries-old methods to craft soap in homes and workshops. When you make soap from scratch, you can choose a custom blend of fats and oils, scents, and organic ingredients to suit your tastes and preferences.
Soap that is customized to suit your skin type is more gentle for your skin than store-bought alternatives. Some oils and additives used in soap make them even more beneficial for your skin or your mood. Lavender essential oil is known for its calming properties and can be used in soap to promote relaxation at bath time. Oatmeal can soothe itchy skin, and honey can moisturize and help heal acne.
If you want to bring sustainable living to your bathroom, making your own soap is an impactful step in that direction. Handmade soap doesn’t come in wasted packaging, and you can incorporate your favorite organic, ethically-sourced ingredients. When you explore all the botanical ingredients you can incorporate into your soap, it brings a dose of nature into your day.
Soap making is a simple process once you learn the basics, and many people find it a creative and fun hobby. You can enjoy making soap in your free time, on your own schedule, and you may even find yourself with a new community of like-minded soap makers.
Soap making is a thriving cottage industry. Many people find that learning to make soap is the beginning of a successful business venture. It has a low barrier to entry, sells at a firm retail price, and is often a recession-proof industry. Soapmakers sell hand-crafted soap bars in boutiques, craft and farmers markets, and online forums. There are over 300,000 businesses selling handmade soap in the United States, at an average price of six to eight dollars per bar. Etsy alone features over 140,000 listings for handmade soap.
Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetics Guild is a national organization that provides a resource center, an annual conference, and online classes for soap makers and other body product artisans.
In-Person Soap Making Classes & Schools in NYC
You can learn to make handmade soap in person in New York City. Learning is faster and easier with someone to answer your questions as you go, and it’s more fun with friends to share your soap making journey. In-person courses will get you started and ramp up your skills quickly.
When you take an in-person class, you don’t have to worry about having the materials you need, the right workspace, or a big cleanup afterward. A fully equipped classroom is waiting for you.
Does nature inspire you? Do you want to create a soap that incorporates the healing and soothing properties of the plant world? In this class, you can incorporate locally grown produce or honey from the farmer's market, wildcrafted elements from a nature hike, or water from a river or stream.
Cold Process Soap Making Class at Back Porch Soap Company on the Upper West Side in NYC covers using plants and other organic, natural ingredients to make soap from scratch with the cold process method.
You’ll receive hands-on instruction to make your own batch of soap with botanicals, colorants, and your own essential oil blend. Your experienced instructor will be right beside you every step of the way, and you'll share the fun with a small class of interesting and like-minded people. Learn how to work with lye safely, how to formulate a great soap recipe, and where to buy supplies.
Also from Back Porch Soap Company on the Upper West Side, Organic Liquid Soaps & Shower Gels Class will show you how to make organic liquid soap and shower gels from scratch using easily sourced ingredients that you can replicate at home. Incorporate specialty ingredients like herbs and botanicals, use colors, source ingredients, package your soaps and gels, and choose ingredients for healing soaps. You’ll go home with samples of the liquid soaps you made in class.
Back Porch Soap Company offers fragrance blending, candle making, and soap making in the Upper West Side of New York City. They also host candle, soap, and perfume blending corporate and brand experiences and private events in Manhattan and throughout New York City.
Virtual Soap Making Classes & Schools
Don’t let it stop you from becoming a soapmaker if you don’t live near a class, your schedule doesn’t fit, or you want to learn from home. You can learn everything about creating handmade soap online.
When you enroll in a virtual soap making class, you can choose from classes taught anywhere in the country. You’ll save all that time commuting, so you’ll have more time for soap making. All you need is a web-connected device and a space to work.
Many online classes require that you provide your own supplies, but your instructor will include a detailed supply list that you can fulfill at an online store or local store. Have your supplies ready in time for your class, since soap making is a hands-on project.
It’s easy to get started now with online soap making classes at CourseHorse. Choose a class that
Virtual Melt & Pour Soap-Making Workshop from Love & Make covers the simple method of melt and pour soap making, including general techniques and even a little history. You’ll learn how to use the readily-available ingredients and you’ll have several recipes to continue soap making at home.
The easy five-item supply list for this course includes the instructor’s soap making kit, a funnel pitcher melting pot, stir sticks, soap molds of your choice, and an alcohol spray bottle. These items are widely available at craft stores and online suppliers.
WIth expert guidance from Love & Make, you’ll master the sometimes tricky process of making your very own bath bombs in Virtual Bath Bomb Making. Materials shopping is easy; this workshop uses the Love & Make Bath Bomb DIY kit, available for order in their online shop.
Private Group Soap Making Classes in NYC
Bring private, online soapmaking classes to your group or event, wherever you are. Private group classes are a great team-building event for your business or organization. Are you on the hook for a fun activity for a birthday party or bridal shower? Private group classes will have you all making soap creations in no time. CourseHorse offers live online private group soap making and crafts classes for New York businesses.
Learn the simple process of melt-and-pour soapmaking with Virtual Soap Making Workshop. This class covers materials, basic techniques, the benefits of making your own soap, and several recipes. You can personalize your soap by adding botanicals and other additives. By the end of this class, you’ll have your own handmade soaps, ready to use.
You don’t even need to do any shopping beforehand. CourseHorse ships all the supplies you need directly to each course participant. You’ll receive shea butter soap base, fragrances, dyes, molds, a pouring pitcher, stirring sticks, a mixing bowl, and soap boxes.
The minimum group size for this two-hour course is ten people. For only $150 more, make it a full day of fun with an extra customized game or a second event.
It’s simple to book a private course with CourseHorse. Don’t worry about knowing your exact group size when you book. As long as you meet the minimum number, you can add or subtract class members until a week before the event. There are no booking fees, and you’ll receive a confirmation within 24 hours of your reservation.
CourseHorse recommends using the Zoom platform for your class, but they can accommodate Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx. Many courses can even come to your office or home space if you’d like.
