What Really Happens in a Soap-Making Class at Douglas Smith Soap Co.
Updated: 7 days ago
There is something pretty satisfying about making something you normally just buy.
Especially when that something is soap.
At Douglas Smith Soap Co., our soap-making classes are part hands-on experience, part chemistry lesson, part creative project, and, if we’re being honest, a pretty great excuse to get together with people you like.
You don’t need to be a soap maker. You don’t need to know what saponification means. And you definitely don’t need to arrive with a chemistry degree.
We’ll teach you the rest.
So…what actually happens when you make soap?
Let’s start with the science.
Cold-process soap is made when oils and fats react with an alkalai solution, commonly called lye, in a process called saponification.
Yes, we said lye.
And yes, you can make a wonderfully gentle bar of soap with it.
Lye is an essential ingredient in traditional soap making, but it doesn’t remain in the finished bar when the recipe is properly formulated and the saponification process is complete. What you end up with is soap: a combination of the fatty-acid salts created during the reaction, along with naturally occurring glycerin.
That’s the really cool part.
You’re not simply mixing ingredients together. You’re creating something new through chemistry and thoughtful, intentional transformation.
What Happens in a Douglas Smith Soap Co. Class?
Before we start, you choose a color and/or scent we have available ...if you want... then Michael gives a rundown of the science, safety, ingredients and materials.
Kevin does a soap making demonstration (and may even call on somone to volunteer). You'll watch him identify his tools and ingredients, turn oils and lye into soap and texture the top.
Then comes the fun part.
You get to make your own. Yes, everyone breaks off into their own soap making station and repeats the magic with guidance from Michael and Kevin.
While you work away, we’ll explain what to do and what’s happening.
You'll learn things like:
how to handle the blender and other tools,
when to add certain ingredients,
why different oils behave differently,
how fragrance affects a batch, why temperature matters, and
whether or not you might move with the urgency of people who have suddenly realized their soap is setting faster than expected.
You'll experience chemistry you can actually manipulate in your hands, then reflect.
The magic of a hands-on clas is that you don’t just hear how soap is made, you experience and then have a moment to reflect on what just happened.
Once all is done, we will ask you what stuck out to you, what was new or something that surprised you.
It's our favorite part of the class becase each time it's different and the discussion is rich.
And then you wait.
This may be the hardest part. Your soap needs time.
Cold-process soap continues to develop after it has been poured into the mold, and a proper cure gives the finished bars time to become harder, milder, and longer lasting.
So you won’t necessarily walk out with the soap you made ready for the shower that afternoon; however, you will have an opportunity to shop in our retail space and enjoy 10% off your purchase!
Come back the next day to unmold and cut your soap or we can do it for you - you can come pick it up or have it shipped.
Your batch will yield 4-6 bars of soap and you get one from Kevin's demonstration.
We'll also provide written instructions for how to cure your soap at home along with written suggestions for packaging (should you choose to give any away as a gift).
In 4 weeks, when it’s finally ready, we hope you find something special about washing your hands with a bar you made yourself.
Who should take a soap-making class?
Honestly? Pretty much anyone who likes making things.
Our classes are a great fit for:
Friends looking for something different to do together
Couples looking for a hands-on date experience
Birthday celebrations
Girls’ weekends
Creative people who love trying something new
Anyone curious about how handmade soap is actually made
Visitors who want to take home something uniquely San Marcos
Small groups and team experiences
And you don’t have to consider yourself “crafty.”
Soap making is surprisingly approachable when you have someone guiding you through the process.
It's more than a class
For us, teaching soap making is an extension of why we started Douglas Smith Soap Co. in the first place.
We love making things by hand.
We love learning how things work.
And we really love sharing that experience with other people.
So come curious. Come ready to get a little messy. Ask all the questions.
We’ll handle the lye. You bring the creativity.
Still curious what a soap-making class with us is like?
Don't just take our word for it! We had the pleasure of welcoming the Visit San Marcos tourism team for a hands-on soap-making experience, and they shared the story in an article of their own.
Take a peek at their visit, get a behind-the-scenes look at what we do, and see why making soap is even more fun when you get your hands in it!
Ready to make some soap?
Join us at Douglas Smith Soap Co. in downtown San Marcos for a hands-on soap-making experience where you’ll learn the science, create your own soap, and leave with a whole new appreciation for what’s happening inside that little bar sitting next to your sink.
We offer classes once a month so be sure to check our website for our next class. We even offer private parties. Regular classes are $55 each + tax and ticket handling fee. Private classes are $65 each + tax and ticket handling fee.
Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you at the soap table! Come get a little messy, learn something new, leave with a new vocabulary and come back for soap you actually made yourself.
Have questions about our classes, what to expect, or whether you’re ready to become a soap-making enthusiast?
Send us a message through our website.
We’d love to hear from you, and yes, we’re always happy to talk soap.
Kevin and Michael
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