Teach Soap

So I'm always on the hunt for "good soap reading." It's actually quite hard to find though! I've purchased and read (okay some stuff I skim) four soaping books to date. I find there is huge variation in terms of the information, organization, style, philosophy and even editing.

What have been your favorite soaping books to date?

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

I like any of Alicia Grosso soapmaking books.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I think soapbuddy should write a book.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

You totally should write a book Irena! (Or an ebook!)

Just write a little bit at a time ... even if it takes a year I know it would be worth the wait

I have Alicia Grosso's 'Everything Soapmaking' book and liked it quite a bit. Probably the most well written / organized of the ones I have so far actually. Been tempted to buy Soaping Naturally ($$$) but not sure given there is some confusion over what version is in print, or if it's really 'in print' at all anymore.

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Well one thing that struck me when I started all this was the dearth of rich, high quality books on the topic. There are a few decent ones but nothing that really knocks it outta the park. Know what I mean?

And if anyone could do it, you could. Let me know if you ever want feedback or a second set of eyes. I was a writer/editor in my past life 'n all

Cheers to that new book!
Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

So does anyone have the Soap Naturally book here? If so, which "version?"

And if not, what others are your go-to books?

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

Hi, Karri! I don't have "Soap Naturally," but I do have some favorite soaping books.

I have Alicia Grosso's "The Everything Soapmaking Book" and I like it. It gives a nice overview of all of the soapmaking processes. Susan Miller Cavitch's "The Soapmaker's Companion" is also good.

I also really got a lot out of Anne L. Watson's "Smart Soapmaking" (she also has one on milk soaps). This little book took a lot of the anxiety out of soapmaking for me.

A book that really helped me when I was starting out was "Basic Soapmaking: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started" by Elizabeth Letcavage and Patsy Buck. It has tons of color photographs of each step of the soapmaking process, which was really helpful.

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- Jenny -
My soapy blog:
Follow me on my

I have both "Everything Soapmaking" books by Alicia Grosso and they are my "go to" books. I also like Anne L. Watson's book on milk soapmaking. There are lots of great recipes and techniques in it.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Good feedback all!

I just ordered Scientific Soapmaking because I've read so much juicy buzz about it that I'm convinced it will be fascinating! The author is the (or one of the) scientists who actually debunked the "superfatting at trace" myth. Neat huh?

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

I borrowed Soaping Naturally from the library. I am not sure which version it is though. I liked it. The main book that I use is The Soap Book by Sandy Maine. It is pretty basic though. Perfect for me since I am a beginner.

Okay duh. I hadn't even thought of checking the library. LOL! I can't seem to find a copy of it anywhere else that indicates which version it really is (i.e. which book am I actually paying for???)

Good idea!!

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

I started off with a lot of web reading, but my first books in-hand were Anne L. Watson's "Smart Soapmaking" and "Milk Soapmaking". Like jrose said, they're very simple and reassuring books, though they're VERY basic (and short)! There are some smart tips in them, though, especially for the milk soaps.

I have "The Natural Soap Book" by Susan Miller Cavitch on my Kindle, and I've paged through it a bit, but I don't go to it much; I've gotten most of my basics and some of my more puzzling questions answered online (many of them here ). I also feel like Cavitch has a serious anti-animal product bias, which is fine in and of itself, some people do, but to me it definitely slants the book in an "EWWW no animal products!!" sort of vein, which I think is unnecessary. I prefer to use all vegetable oils/fats myself, and I still found it annoying.

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CP newbie who's turning into a soaping addict!