The Soap Salon

We had an amazing time learning how to make cold process soap! MJ and Janice were so kind, patient, knowledgeable and delightful. They have a wide variety of scents, colorants, and other supplies to choose from. I also love their idea of paying it forward by taking a bar of soap and leaving one behind for others.
I would happily recommend this place to anyone interested in learning how to make soap, lotion, or any other cool DIY glam-​ification project =)

I had a fun time & enjoyed the soap making class at the Soap Salon. MJ is a great teacher. She is very patient & kind.

I had a private soap making class. I loved it. MJ is so professional and so knowledgeable. She was prepared, had everything set up for teaching, and she explained everything (how and why). She was so personable, such a nice voice. I am just starting out to make my own soap. I feel comfortable contacting MJ if I hit a snag. I highly recommend taking her classes.

MJ is super friendly and knowledgeable. My husband and I had a wonderful time in her class. MJ’s instructions were clear and easy to follow. I am going back to take another lesson on lotion making.

The classes are really cool! MJ brings science and art together in her lessons. The entire process was very fun and easy to follow.

Thanks so much for the great class MJ! I appreciate all that you do :)

My mom and I have been kicking around the idea of soap making for YEARS, ever since we bought some fantastic homemade soap from a booth at the Lodi Farmer’s Market. I purchased the soap making class for two from Groupon as part of her birthday gift in March, and we finally made it today.
I really don’t understand some of the negative reviews I’m seeing on here. Yes this is a business run out of an old house, big deal. Yes it’s a little messy inside, but, HELLO, most crafts are not a sterile process. I liken the clutter to that of an art studio, not a drug den. Is this a giant, glossy, corporate soap making factory? No, but there is nothing disgusting about this place. It’s cozy and cute.
M.J. was lovely. She explained everything in detail, and in a way that was easily understood. This was exactly what Mom and I needed to learn the process of basic soap making and decide that, yes, this is definitely something we would like to continue doing. At the end of the class we received detailed written instructions for our future endeavors as well as a list of resources.
I would definitely recommend the Soap Salon to anyone with a positive attitude and an open mind, two areas in which some of these reviewers are definitely lacking. We can’t wait to go back to collect our finished product!

Along with 3 friends, I recently learned all about soap making from MJ. We had a great time, she was VERY PATIENT with our questions, and the class was fun and interesting. We used Living Social coupons and two days after our class I picked up our finished products and both MJ and her mother were helpful and explained how to package or wrap the soap for gift-​giving. I’m not sure I’m cut out for hand-​making soap on a regular basis but the experience was great!

I have dealt with MJ at the Soap Salon for years and years and have NEVER had a problem. Once the shipping agent didn’t handle my order very well and my coconut oil leaked all over the place. I called to let MJ know and everything was replaced. .. NO PROBLEM. Everyone has their opinion and are entitled to such, but I’ve never had an drama with my purchases. So what if the business is in her home, I can’t see what difference that would make, and again.. .MY OPINION. I would think that before leaving negative comments one would at least try to resolve the issue with the owner/​store first. It’s difficult enough to start and keep a business going and if you’re not satisfied, have exhausted all means of satisfaction with the store/​owner then by all means explain the situation. Just put yourself in MJ’s or any small business owner’s shoes, you might see things differently. And yes, I do realize that you can’t make everyone happy, all the time no matter what. Some folks can’t be satisfied no matter what you do to accommodate them.

Okay. The reviews had me nervous. I finished my session just now and MJ is great. Very knowledgable and personable. I am happy to report that that the location is great & the teacher. I find it very hard to believe ppl had negative experiences

I just want to tell everyone who posted on Unilocal,«Thank you». I have been trying to get my mom up to Sacramento to take this course for a few months and after reading the reviews, I will NOT go to a messy home to learn something I can get on YouTube. Not to mention, I want to be able to purchase ingredients right there, and not in someone’s garage. I can’t believe that this is all Sac has to offer in the way of soap?
Not to mention, I refuse to do business with someone who threatens a commenter to «remove their post or else». MJ needs to learn customer service and open a store not her home… and NO MJ… I cannot see a house of your size giving «art shows» and whatnot… Thank GOD for Unilocal.PERIOD.
And just to be fair… I have never visited the Soap Salon. Take my comment with a grain of salt. I am HUGE on customer service.

*my experience with purchases*
I’ve been researching endlessly on what ingredients i needed to start up a small business making bath fizzies and bubble bars by purchasing supplies online, but as many people know, it gets very costly with shipping fees, etc…
For a while, i’ve been looking for places in sacramento that sells said supplies with no luck, i also went to Hobby Lobby hoping i could find some carrier oils and essential oils, nope. So i sat in my car with my brother looking for a soap supply store and found this place on Unilocal.I saw the numerous bad reviews, but i didn’t care and decided to check the place out for myself after i purchased the 5 for 10 dollars on Unilocal.I called before I arrived to make sure if they were open, but i ended up driving down there anyways because their answering machine listed the business hours. Easy place to get to, but google navigation and Unilocal gave me the wrong directions.
Before i got there, i knew it was a residence from prior reviews, but it made no difference to me. Personally, I think it’s a weird argument to bring up such a thing. Being raised in san jose and oakland, i have seen many businesses conducted at homes. Does this not make it a business? No. Is it any less of a business conducted in a «store»? Absolutely not. As long as the people had great customer service, hospitality, and products/​services that i want/​need… i’m game. It just screams to me «This is not only my business, but this is also my passion and i love what i do» so i have a lot of respect.
Once my brother and i rung the doorbell, we were greeted and welcomed. Off the bat, i knew what i wanted and they were very helpful. They came off nothing less than very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. I ended up getting carrier oils (apricot kernel, coconut oil, sweet almond oil) and rose petal/​buds. They were out of lavender essential oil and grapeseed oil, but they informed me that they had more coming in the next day, i’m in no rush anyways. I don’t know what others were looking for who had complaints on Unilocal saying they didn’t have anything, however, i found that they had more stuff than the stuff i asked for that they didn’t have on hand.
all in all when i need something asap if i run out of things i would definitely go back without hesitation (:

Just got this message today from the vendor. Anyone else who left her a negative review get an equally irrational threat?
Hi Elsie,
MJ M. has sent you a message on Unilocal:
Your Review
«Elsie, I am kindly going to ask you to remove your harsh message immediately because its false. I am sorry to know that sometimes we are so quick to give a response without recognizing how it affects small business’ or better yet women in business. Without disrespecting fine business’ that do operate out of their home, mine is not one of them. We hold many functions at the Soap Salon, including art shows and networking gatherings. During these shows we offer food and wine. I am seriously disturbed at your inability to communicate with me your concerns. I am happy to accommodate and converse with you to make sure you leave my place satisfied. Please contact me immediately to resolve. If you didn’t like the class I would kindly refund you or offer you another in its place and you gave us no opportunity to do that but rather spew unfounded accusations… I’m disappointed and must ask you to retract immediately or I will seek other legal ways to deal with it.»

My sister and I received a groupon for Christmas. With me working tax seasons, and being out of town most of the summer, we scheduled our class for Saturday October 19^th at 9am. We drive down from Folsom to location, and wait for about 20 minutes, calling both the number on the groupon and the number listed on the information sheet on the house. Finally, we left and went home. I received a call back saying that I didn’t answer a call placed either Friday night or Saturday morning confirming we would still be attending the class. The merchant even told me «that’s not right» when I said that I never received a missed call. I had my phone on and never received a call, nor missed a call. And wouldn’t the merchant remember when they had called? Never-​the-​less, we rescheduled for Wednesday at 6:15pm. Wednesday morning came around, and I hadn’t received a call Tuesday night or Wednesday morning confirming that we’d still have the class, so I called at 12:13pm (during business hours) and left a message saying that we were still planning on attending the class that night at 6:15, but I hadn’t received a confirmation call, so if it was cancelled to please call me back. I didn’t get a call back. My sister and I show up at 6:08pm, and she’s not there. She doesn’t answer her phone, and her son can’t get in touch with her. This is the most unprofessional way to conduct a business. I understand being busy and running a business on your own and not being able to answer phone calls, but to stand up customers — twice — is rude, inconsiderate, and unprofessional.

Awesome little shop. The people were very nice and helpful. Absolutely will go back

I bought a Groupon for the cold process soap making class. One of my other friends did as well & we asked if a third friend could join us. Generally the class size is two people because the work space can be tight from what we were told & I think it’s probably a bit easier for the instructor to calculate out what she’ll need in terms of supplies for the day without having to stray from the norm. M.J. was gracious enough to accomodate our larger group and the space worked out just fine. We rotated through the jobs as we were learning and I never felt cramped or displeased with the amount of room we had to move about in.
M.J. (the owner) is so friendly & is extremely knowledgable in all of the ins & outs of soapmaking as she’s been doing it since she was a child. They are ethical in what they do, produce much of what is used for their classes in house or in their warehouse off-​site & you can purchase for cheaper than anywhere else from them (never having to question the quality of supplies that you are using).
The class was hands on, full of fun, so informative & I am definitely going to be going back! There are other classes I can’t wait to try and I couldn’t imaging going anywhere else for supplies now that I know about this hidden gem.
One important note here folks. Don’t judge a book by its cover here if you can at all help it. The Soap Salon is in a cottage style house that has been transformed to what it is today along with an art studio once a month during summertime Second Saturday. It’s off of the 12^th Ave. exit (I lived right around the corner from this location when I first moved to Sacramento when I was seventeen) so this didn’t really affect me but pulling up-​you may wonder if you’re in the right place. You are … just go inside! You will have a blast.
My friends & I each made a loaf of soap. It may be noteworthy to let you know that your actual loaf of soap will not be ready to take home the same day. We will be going back tomorrow night to pick ours up (that’s when it was most convenient for us). A really cool aspect of having to wait to get your soap is that there is a table full of various soaps that have been made by students who have come before you. You get to take one of your choosing home with you so that you don’t have to leave for the day empty handed. When you cut up your soap loaf… you’ll add to the table-​pay it forward style. I liked that a lot.
Only one more thing… be patient when trying to reach the Soap Salon via the telephone. M.J. may be the only one there — & she may be running a class when you’re trying to call. She can’t always stop what she’s doing in the middle of it — I totally get it now after attending her class… so just be patient & keep trying to connect with her. Go in with an open mind & you won’t regret it!

We attended a soap making class and it was in a residential house, for those of you not aware of it’s look. The lady teaching the class was really nice and wonderful and she said that she has been making soap since she was 7. I would recommend this class for someone wanting to learn how to make soap. It is hard to make soap, and it requires lye, which can be a toxic substance to humans. I don’t think I will be making any soaps on my own. My nephew had lots of fun, attending this class with me and we go back on Saturday to pick up it up. You have to leave your soap to mold at the place and go back in 2 days to pick it up. And I guess then you have to wait 21 days to actually use the soap, because of the substance lye. I had no idea.

I am so frustrated with this place. This business is practically impossible to contact.
Of the weeks I’ve spent trying to get a hold of this business, I’ve spoken to a live person once, who politely told me that they were out of the one thing I needed (lye!). I used to get a voicemail (often full), and now it just rings and rings.
This is apparently one of the few business in the area that sell lye, and I was really hoping it would be a convenient place to get soapmaking supplies.
I visited their business once in person (a residential home) and even though I came during the hours posted online (about an hour after they said they’d be open), nobody was there.
If this business could just get their act together and be open during their advertised hours and answer their phones, maybe they’d actually have a new customer.
I haven’t used their online services, though– maybe they’re better suited for that. Since I’m local I thought I’d avoid shipping fees by shopping in person, and it just isn’t working out.

This is a good place to start if you are interested in making handcrafted toiletries.

For those of you with the unusual hobby of soapmaking (yep, that includes me), this is a great local place to pick up supplies. They sell everything you need here — lye, scales, thermometers, a huge selection of fragrance oils and essential oils, books, dried flowers, etc. etc. Their prices are kind of expensive, but I figure you’d pay about that much if you bought something online plus shipping. The person who helped me find things was really helpful, but I just wish that all of the inventory was out and on display in the store rather than all stored in their warehouse behind the shop so that I could see everythiing. Also, take note: for some strange reason you can’t use multiple gift certificates for one purchase.