Natural cold process soap making classes held in the comfort of your own home.
03/28/2025
We will be in Hampton tomorrow morning for another soap class... just a few spots left!
We have a few spots left for tomorrow’s soapmaking workshop!
If you’re interested in securing your spot, please reach out to :
[email protected]
03/11/2025
One of the most frustrating things for soap makers—especially beginners—is making a batch of soap that turns out too soft or mushy. A firm bar of soap lasts longer and performs better, so let’s look at three common reasons why your soap might be too soft and how to fix each issue!
❌ Too Much Soft/Unsaturated Oils
Oils high in unsaturated fats—like olive oil, castor oil, or sweet almond oil—stay softer in soap, especially when used in large amounts. While these oils are fantastic for moisturizing, too many of them can make your soap bar feel squishy or take longer to harden.
✅ How to fix it:
Balance your recipe by adding hard oils or butters like coconut oil, palm oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter.
Use a soap recipe calculator (like SoapCalc) to ensure your oil ratios create a hard, long-lasting bar.
❌ Too Much Water
If your recipe has a high water-to-lye ratio, your soap will take longer to harden as the water needs more time to evaporate. This can make it feel soft even days or weeks after unmolding.
✅ How to fix it:
Try a water discount (less water) in your recipe. Instead of using the full default amount, reduce the water slightly for a quicker, firmer set.
A common range for water as a percentage of oils is 30-38%, but lowering it closer to 30% can speed up firming.
❌ Reason 3: Not Enough Cure Time
Cold process soap hardens over time as water evaporates, and if you try to use it too soon, it will still be soft.
✅ How to fix it:
Be patient! Cold process soap needs at least 4-6 weeks to cure properly.
Place your soaps in a cool, dry, ventilated area on a drying rack to allow maximum air circulation.
If you're in a rush, try adding a bit of sodium lactate (1 tsp per pound of oils) to your lye water—this speeds up hardening and makes bars easier to unmold.
Have you ever made a soft soap batch before? What helped you fix it? Drop a comment below! 👇😊
03/10/2025
Thinking about making soap but not sure where to start? Join me for my next in-person class! Sign up today—spots are limited!
Contact Christina Ole Foggy Distillery for more information or to sign up.
Coconut oil is a powerhouse ingredient in soap making, known for its ability to create a rich, bubbly lather and provide excellent cleansing properties. It helps soap bars to be harder and longer-lasting, which is especially useful in handmade soaps that don’t contain synthetic hardeners.
While it is a great cleanser, coconut oil can be drying if used in high amounts, so many soap makers balance it with conditioning oils like olive or shea butter to keep skin feeling soft. Plus, it's a natural, plant-based oil that works well in both cold process and hot process soap, making it a favorite for beginners and experienced soap makers alike! 🧼💕
02/16/2025
Come to a class in Hampton! Distillery classes are always fun, and the drinks are fantastic!
Want to learn how to make soap?
Join us Saturday February 22, 12:30pm.
Cost is $85 and includes instructions and all ingredients to make it as well as 1 single cocktail, 6oz wine or 16oz on tap beverage to enjoy after the class.
You will be making 11-12 bars of soap.
Spots are limited.
Please email [email protected] to confirm availability.
Tickets are non refundable.
02/06/2025
Soap class has been scheduled! Looking for something to do on Valentines that isn't waiting for hours in a crowded restaurant? Come learn to make soap, learn a new skill and have a fantastic evening. Class will take place at Saint Andrews Anglican Church hall in Petitcodiac, NB.
Everyone will go home with their own batch of soap, a wooden soap mold and instructions to make more soap at home.
$75/person, only 12 spots available for each class. Message me to book your spot!
February 14th, 6pm-8:30pm OR February 15th, 1PM-3:30PM
01/31/2025
Did you know we also offer private soap making classes for small groups? If you have a group of 4-8 friends who would like to learn soap making, I can bring everything to your home and teach you to make soap.
Each participant takes home a wooden soap mold filled with a batch of soap they make during the class. You get to choose the colours and scents of your batch of soap which makes 10-12 bars depending on how you cut them.
Learn cold process soap making in the comfort of your own home with a group of friends, only $75/person. Moncton, Sussex and Saint John dates available.
Message me for more details.
11/20/2024
We had another great class tonight at Ole Foggy Distillery. This was the last one before Christmas, but we will definitely be back in the new year!