Where to learn soap making?

Are you looking for art and craft business ideas you can start from home? Look no further than soap making. Everyone needs soap. There is no better time to launch your soap business with the current drive to support sustainable and local products. Small soap companies are thriving with the growth of eCommerce dependence. 

Whether you want to set up a side hustle or dedicate yourself full-time to your new venture, follow our guide. We'll help you find perfect professional soap-making courses and set up a marketing plan to guarantee your success.

What are the different soap-making methods?

There are five different ways to create your bar of soap from scratch. Each offers something unique to the final product. So let's go through the pros and cons of each.

1. Melt and pour soaps: one of the easiest ways to make soap, this method is suitable for beginners. It's as it says on the tin. Melt a soap base in the microwave. Pour soap base into a mold with a fragrance. Leave to cool. 

2. Basic cold process soap is a slightly more advanced recipe using lye, oil or fat, and water. Make sure you wear protective gear as lye is a dangerous chemical. 

3. Hot process: the hot process follows the same steps as its colder counterpart. However, add heat when you introduce the lye to the fat. 

4. Rebatching: using existing bars of soap, melt and introduce other ingredients to create more exciting soaps.

5. Liquid soap: this method uses glycerin soap to make a softer product. Gel soap is often easier to perfect than bars. 

Once you have perfected your chosen method, try experimenting with bath salts or other natural cosmetic recipes. Creating a bath bomb line is an easy next step.

How to start a soap-making business at home

Do you want to turn your hobby into a lucrative business? Online craft stores do successful business. Follow our steps to starting your soap maker business at home. 

Step one: learn to make soap

Firstly, you need to master your recipe to make beautiful soap. Whichever method, melt and pour soap base or cold process soap, you need to get comfortable with your soap recipe. 

Melt and pour soaps or rebatching are the most straightforward methods. However, they also offer limited creativity. The hot and cold processes will allow further diversity in your soaps at home.

Once you have perfected your process of making soap, try creating more unique soaps. For example, introducing a swirl soap into your range might help develop your business.

Step two: develop your production line 

Now that you have expertly made your first batch of soap, it's time to set up product lines. Start brainstorming ideas. For inspiration, check out what other soap-making businesses are doing. 

Next, order your soap-making equipment. Make notes of what you need to process soap bars to determine the start-up cost. Standard supplies you will need include:

• Slow cooker

• Plastic, glass, or stainless steel containers

• Digital scales

• Silicone spatulas

• Immersion blender

• Thermometer

• Soap mold 

• Soap cutter

• Glycerin

• Olive oil or palm oil

• Fragrance oils

• Lye

The cost to start will be cheaper if you opt for the melt and pour method.

Step three: brand your soap 

You have your handcrafted soap and cosmetics ready. Now, you need to build your business entity. Are you going to focus solely on soaps? Or will you grow your business to include shampoo bars or salt scrubs?

To create a profitable business, you need to establish a brand, including logos, packaging, business cards, an online shop, and more. In addition, it should reflect the aesthetics of your soap products.

Step four: setting up a business

With the exciting bit out of the way, you need to register your business and sort out licenses and permits. First, decide whether you want to form an LLC or sole proprietorships. There are benefits to each, though a limited liability company usually costs more, which is worth bearing in mind if you're trying to lower your outgoings.

Also, think about setting up your business bank account and insurance policies. It might be sensible to take out liability insurance. 

Step five: market your brand

So, you have your brand and your registration. It's time to create a marketing plan to promote your product. Establish your target market. Try to keep your labeling and marketing in line with your branding. Check out what other soap-making businesses are doing. Can you compete on price?

Consider how you will attract customers — conduct market research into selling soaps. For example, if you have an online soap shop, you could advertise on social media. Or, if you sell locally, check out whether you can hire stalls at farmers' markets. 

Step five: start selling your soap 

It's time to launch your business from home. Get your name out there. Once you have established your soap shop, expand your type of soap range. Try creating shaving soap, lip balms, or essential oils as your business grows. Consider expanding to herbal products. As you start to increase your profit margins, consider whether to hire employees. 

Tips for soap making businesses

Starting your soap-making business can be intimidating. Here are some tips to ensure you build a successful soap-making business.

1. Find a niche market. Cornering your customer base is a challenge. For example, try to emphasize the sustainability of your handmade soaps that use natural ingredients. You can create a natural soap using aloe vera.

2. If you prioritize saving money, sell your soaps online. An eCommerce business has fewer overheads than finding a local premise. 

3. Sign up for a soaping-making course to perfect your method. Learn how to make high-quality soaps step by step. 

Where to learn soap making? 

To start your business, you need to become a confident soap maker. Experiment with different methods. The best way to flex your creativity is to learn with online soap-making courses. Courses for Success offer a soap-making online course. Learn the various techniques of making handmade soap, including cold processing. 

Once you have finished soap school, you'll earn a certificate of completion. Start your artistic business venture strong. 

Why Courses for Success? 

Courses for Success has over 10,000 online courses that will help you grow personally and professionally. You can study them at home or on the go, at any time, and at your own pace.

You don't need experience or a pre-requisite diploma to get started. So whether you want to learn coding or graphic design, we have a course for you. 

Once completed, you’ll receive a certificate online that you can show to prospective employers and clients. Our soap-making courses are no exception, and industry leaders even recognize them. Sign up for a Courses for Success short course today.