Beginner's Organic Soap Making

What makes handmade soap so special?
Handmade soap is also called “cold processed soap” and is the most natural and traditional way of making a bar of soap.Most mass-produced bars are not actually soap at all, they are 'syndet' or 'synthetic detergent' bars. With the cold process method you are saponifying your oils from scratch, and this process creates moisturising 'glycerine' which remains in your soap to soften your skin. In mass produced soap making, the glycerine is extracted and sold as a valuable bi-product.

Who runs the workshop?

Workshops are led by Martine Burford, founder of Ruby Red, a successful organic beauty brand. “I started making traditional organic soap in my kitchen over 10 years ago. Its great to be able to share with you the secrets of soap making. These beginner workshops are ideal for those who want to learn how to make pure, vegetable soap for family and friends at home.”

What will I learn at the workshop?

First, we will look at soap recipes, how they differ. I will explain to you how various ingredients work and what special qualities they will bring to your soap. We will look at what equipment you need to make your own soap and what ingredients you can use from your kitchen. After lunch, we will make a 1.8 kg batch of soap from start to finish. All soaps are made from organic vegetable oils such as coconut, palm or olive and fragranced with pure essential oils.You will get to take home 300g of fresh, organic soap.

Will I be able to make soap at home?

Included in the day is RubyRed’s “Beginners easy guide to home soap making”, a reminder for you of what we covered during the session. There are also some beginner’s soap packs on sale which have all the basic vegetable ingredients you will need.

Where does the workshop take place?

All our soap making workshops take place in Pinner, North West London. The atmosphere is informal and friendly and great for learning.

When are the workshops?

We run 10 x one day workshops throughout the year. Book early as workshops are popular and there are only 6 places per workshop. Please check on booking form for exact dates or call 07 526 526 909 or email for further information. Workshops are open to 16 and over only.

What are the times?

The weekend day start at 10 am with tea and biscuits ( or coffee) and ends at 4:00 pm. During the week, we start at 9 am and end at 3 pm. A 'traditional sandwich lunch' is included in the cost of the course. If you are vegetarian, just let us know beforehand and we will make sure a veggie option is available.

What is the cost of organic soap making workshop?

Cost of one day workshop is £ 95. Included is all your organic soap making ingredients and equipment, Ruby Red’s “beginners easy guide to home soap making”, lunch and your own special organic soaps to take home. Workshops also make great presents, if you want to book for someone else, let us know and we will send you a voucher