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Topic Guide

Best Books About soap making

8+ booksUpdated weeklyExpert curated

Soap making combines chemistry with creativity—you're literally creating a new substance through saponification while designing colors, scents, and patterns. The learning curve involves understanding lye safety, oil properties, and the variables that affect your final product. These books range from gentle introductions for nervous beginners to deep dives into the science that lets advanced soapers formulate their own recipes with precision.

Books & Affiliate Links

#TitleBest ForPriceISBN/ASINAmazon Link
1The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners by Kelly CableComplete beginners$151939754038Buy on Amazon
2Soap Crafting by Anne-Marie FaiolaCreative techniques$251612120881Buy on Amazon
3The Soapmaker's Companion by Susan Miller CavitchComprehensive guide$200882669656Buy on Amazon
4Pure Soapmaking by Anne-Marie FaiolaCold process mastery$221612125336Buy on Amazon
5Scientific Soapmaking by Kevin M. DunnChemistry of soap$451935652095Buy on Amazon
6Milk Soaps by Anne-Marie FaiolaMilk-based recipes$201635860970Buy on Amazon
7The Everything Soapmaking Book by Alicia GrossoAll-in-one resource$171440550131Buy on Amazon
8Smart Soapmaking by Anne L. WatsonPractical methods$150938497502Buy on Amazon
9The Complete Photo Guide to Soap Making by David FisherVisual instruction$251589238885Buy on Amazon

Book Details

1. The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners by Kelly Cable

Kelly Cable breaks down the intimidating chemistry of soapmaking into approachable steps that nervous beginners can follow safely. The book emphasizes natural ingredients and explains lye safety clearly without being alarmist. By the end, you'll understand the process well enough to troubleshoot your own batches rather than just following recipes blindly.

2. Soap Crafting by Anne-Marie Faiola

Anne-Marie Faiola, known as the "Soap Queen," runs one of the largest soap supply companies and brings decades of expertise to this creative guide. The focus here is on design techniques—swirls, layers, embeds, and colors—that transform basic bars into artistic creations. Her troubleshooting experience with thousands of customers informs the practical advice throughout.

3. The Soapmaker's Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch

This comprehensive reference covers cold process, hot process, and melt-and-pour methods with equal depth. Susan Miller Cavitch's thorough approach helps you understand the science behind each technique so you can modify recipes confidently. It's the book soapers keep returning to as their skills advance and questions become more complex.

4. Pure Soapmaking by Anne-Marie Faiola

Faiola's focused guide to cold process soapmaking goes deeper into this specific method than her broader Soap Crafting book. The 32 recipes showcase what cold process does best, and the technique sections address common cold process challenges like acceleration and overheating. Essential for soapers who've chosen cold process as their primary method.

5. Scientific Soapmaking by Kevin M. Dunn

Kevin Dunn, a chemistry professor, wrote the definitive scientific analysis of cold process soapmaking. The book uses actual data and experiments to answer questions soapers debate endlessly—optimal water amounts, curing times, and the effects of different additives. For technical minds who want evidence rather than craft lore, this provides real answers.

6. Milk Soaps by Anne-Marie Faiola

Working with milk in soap presents unique challenges—it can scorch, discolor, and accelerate trace if handled incorrectly. Anne-Marie Faiola's specialized guide teaches the specific techniques for incorporating goat milk, coconut milk, buttermilk, and other milks successfully. The resulting bars have a creamy quality that regular soaps can't match.

7. The Everything Soapmaking Book by Alicia Grosso

This all-in-one guide covers cold process, hot process, melt and pour, and liquid soapmaking in a single accessible volume. Alicia Grosso's broad coverage helps beginners understand the differences between methods and choose the right approach for their goals. The recipes are tested and reliable, providing a solid starting point.

8. Smart Soapmaking by Anne L. Watson

Anne Watson's no-frills approach strips soapmaking to its practical essentials. The book focuses on getting consistent, quality results efficiently rather than elaborate artistic techniques. Her straightforward style appeals to makers who want reliable soap without spending hours on decorative swirls—just good, handcrafted bars.

9. The Complete Photo Guide to Soap Making by David Fisher

David Fisher's heavily illustrated guide shows rather than tells, with photographs documenting each step of multiple soapmaking methods. For visual learners who struggle with text-heavy instruction, seeing exactly what "trace" looks like or how to properly unmold a loaf eliminates guesswork. The comprehensive photo coverage makes abstract concepts concrete.

Top soap making Books