Soap Making Q & A

All Your soap making questions answered!

Written by
Cindy Novack
Published on
November 19, 2022 at 10:08:04 AM PST November 19, 2022 at 10:08:04 AM PSTth, November 19, 2022 at 10:08:04 AM PST

** Disclaimer: This is all from our 30+ years of knowledge and experience. Everyone should do their own research and testing. We are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice.*



  1. 1. What is legally needed in PA for selling candles and soaps?
  • - When you’re just starting there is nothing you need legally in PA since it is considered a hobby. It is important to make sure everything is labeled correctly including warning labels for candles. Once you hit a larger amount in sales you should talk to a lawyer and determine what is the best course of action for your business.


  1. 2. What needs to be on the label?
  • - Company Name, Address, Phone Number, Product Weight and Product Ingredients. It is also a good idea to have Instruction for use and any other warnings that might be applicable. 


  1. 3. Any recommendations for product liability insurance?
  • - HSCG has an insurance option available with membership that is really beneficial and affordable.


  1. 4. If I want to add some dried rose petals, how do I prevent them from turning dark after the soaps set in? Is there a technique I can use to prevent that from happening?
  • - Unfortunately there is no way to prevent some flowers and herbs from browning. The best thing to do is just garnish the top of the soap with the flower or herb. We have noticed that flowers or herbs that are not used to make tea tend not to brown. Calendula for example does tend to make it through the saponification process.


  1. 5. What to do if your soap seizes?
  • - The quickest fix is to hot process the soap in a crockpot. Another option is to add some more water.


  1. 6. How to test FO in soap without wasting a bunch of money?
  • - Unfortunately there is no way of knowing exactly how a fragrance oil will behave in soap without actually testing it. The best way is to test on a 1 or 2 lb. batch of soap. 


  1. 7. How do you rebatch?
  • - If your soap is already cured or curing and you don’t want to use it as is then it can be handmilled. This is when you grate the soap and then add some water and reform the soap into balls. You can also use the grated soap in other soaps to add some fun color!