DIY Hot Process Soap: Quick, Easy, and Ready in Days (With Video)

Do you want to make your own soap without the long wait for it to cure? Then, this hot process soap recipe is perfect for you. Making soap at home might seem difficult, but this method makes it easy, even for those who’ve never tried it! This soap is ready in a few days, is simple to make, and has great moisturizing benefits and a nice lather.

You also have complete control over what goes into your soap, allowing you to pick the oils, fragrances, and extras you like best. Plus, there’s no need to wait weeks for it to be ready—just a day or two, and it’s set to use.

Hot Process Soap

Ready to use in just a few days, hot process soap is easy for beginners and gives you a moisturizing bar with great lather.

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1

Curing time 1

Total Time 1 31

Equipment

Slow cooker
Stick blender
digital scale
Safety equipment (gloves, goggles, apron)
Heat-safe spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Thermometer (to check temperatures of lye water and oils)
soap mold
Parchment paper

Ingredients

8 ounces water
4.26 ounces lye
3 ounces avocado oil
9 ounces coconut oil
9 ounces palm oill

Add at trace

2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
1 ounce water

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Instructions

Prepare the lye solution. Put on your gloves, goggles, and apron for safety. Carefully add the lye to the water (never the other way around). Stir until the lye is fully dissolved. The mixture will get very hot, so set it aside in a safe place to cool.
Tip: Always remember, “snow floats on the lake,” meaning lye should be added to water, not vice versa.
Melt the oils. Measure and combine the avocado, coconut, and palm oil in a large pot. Then, melt the oils over medium-low heat until fully melted, stirring occasionally. Once melted, set the pot aside to cool.
Blend to trace. Once the lye water and oils have cooled to around 100-115°F, it’s time to mix. Then, pour the cooled lye water into the slow cooker, followed by the melted oils. Use a stick blender to blend the mixture until it reaches trace—when the soap batter thickens slightly and leaves a trail when lifted.
Cook the soap. Cover the slow cooker and cook the soap on the low setting for 45-60 minutes. Stir occasionally. The soap will change color and become gel-like and translucent through the “gel phase.” It’s ready when it has this gel-like consistency throughout.
Cool and add the yogurt. Remove the insert from the slow cooker and place it on a heat-safe surface (use potholders to protect your counter). Let the soap cool to around 180°F. While it’s cooling, mix the Greek yogurt with 1 ounce of water. Once the soap has cooled slightly, briefly blend in the yogurt mixture. Then, add any fragrance or essential oils you like at this point.
Pour into the mold. Scrape all the soap batter into a prepared loaf mold using a spatula. Smooth out the top of the soap with the spatula. Allow the soap to set and harden for 12-24 hours.
Cut and cure. Once the soap has hardened, remove it from the mold and slice it into bars. Although the soap is safe to use immediately, it will last longer if you allow it to cure for 1-2 weeks.

Notes

Make sure the oils and water with lye are about the same warmness, between 100-115°F, before you mix them. If they’re not, the soap might not form right. A digital thermometer can help you keep an eye on the temperature.

Add any essential oils or fragrances after the soap has cooled down to about 180°F. If you add them when it’s too hot, you might lose the scent.

Distilled water instead of tap water is used to make soap. Tap water has minerals that could mess with your soap. Distilled water is cleaner and gives you the same results every time.

Blending could take a bit longer than you think, especially if your oils are a bit cool. Don’t rush it. You might need to blend a little longer to get it right.

The soap will get shiny and see-through at one point when cooking. That’s normal and means it’s doing well. Wait until this happens to the middle before you move on.

Making soap can get messy, so keep some paper towels or a cloth nearby to clean up any spills. This keeps your area safe and makes cleaning up easier.

Hot process soap looks more rustic and not as smooth as cold process soap. That’s part of its charm! If you want it smoother, gently pat down the top with a wet cloth after it’s in the mold.

If you add herbs, oats, or clay, grind them up fine, and don’t use too much. Big pieces could scratch your skin or make the soap feel rough.

Even though you can use hot process soap immediately, letting it sit for 1-2 weeks helps it last longer. This drying time lets extra water evaporate.

If you’re unsure the soap is ready, test its pH level. It should be between 7 and 10. You can buy pH strips online to check.

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own soap but didn’t know where to start, this hot process recipe is just the thing. It’s easy and gives you a creamy, moisturizing bar ready to use in a few days. With simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you’ll quickly whip up your batch of homemade soap. You can customize it with your favorite scents or oils, making it perfect for gifts or just a treat for yourself!

For more inspiration on seasonal soaps, try my refreshing summer soap recipes that are perfect for warm weather and make great gifts.

3 bars hot process soap with towl and flowers.

Hot process soap forces a faster curing time by heating the soap after blending. It makes cleanup simple, and your bars are ready to use immediately.

Hot Process Soap Tips

Get your soap mold ready before starting. If needed, line it with parchment paper. The soap mixture hardens fast when you’re making hot process soap, so there won’t be time to prep the mold after.
After you use a slow cooker to make soap, it’s a good idea to only use it for soap from then on. Soap might leave some residue, so an old or second-hand slow cooker works well.
When trying new smells, oils, or extra ingredients, write down what you used and when on each batch. This helps you remember which mixes you like best and see how they change over time.
Blend in short bursts to keep your stick blender from getting too hot or breaking. Let it rest for a bit every few seconds. This also stops the soap mix from splashing everywhere.
Work in a place with good airflow when you mix lye and water. Remember to always pour lye into the water, not the other way around, and make sure kids or pets are not in the kitchen at the time.
Tap the mold on the counter to get rid of any air bubbles when you put the soap in the mold. This will make your soap bars smooth and even.
If you get any lye on you or the counter, spraying it with vinegar can help neutralize the lye. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear gloves and goggles, but it’s an extra safety step.
If it’s your first time making soap, you might want to use only half of the recipe. That way, if things don’t go as planned, you won’t be wasting a lot of ingredients, and it’ll be easier to handle.
If you like a more traditional method that offers a smoother texture and a longer-lasting bar, check out this guide to making cold process soap for the shower. It takes a bit more time but delivers a wonderful result.

Key Ingredients and Tools

In this simple soap-making guide, here are some tools and ingredients that might be new if you’re just starting:

hot process soap ingredients and equipment on counter.

Lye (Sodium Hydroxide): Lye is essential for turning oils into soap through saponification. You can buy it online or in some hardware stores, but handle it carefully because it’s very strong and can burn.
Stick Blender: You’ll need this to mix the oils and lye until they thicken, known as reaching “trace.” While stirring by hand is possible, a stick blender does the job faster and more thoroughly.
Palm Oil: Palm oil makes the soap hard and durable, creating a smooth lather. Find palm oil that’s produced responsibly, or you can use shea butter or cocoa butter instead. Instead of palm oil, you can use shea butter or cocoa butter to get a creamy, solid soap.
Avocado Oil: This oil moisturizes the soap and softens the skin. If you don’t have it, olive or sweet almond oil are great alternatives for adding moisture.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is great for lather and cleaning. It can be replaced with babassu oil, which cleans well, though the soap’s texture might be slightly different.
Digital Scale: Getting your measurements right is key in soap making, and a digital scale helps you measure lye and oils precisely. It’s better than guessing amounts.
Greek Yogurt: Adding yogurt when the mix thickens boosts the soap’s moisture. You can use coconut milk or skip it to make the recipe simpler.

These tools and ingredients are crucial for making a good batch of soap.

3- in-1 Immersion Hand blender, Powerful 1000W Stainless Steel Stick Blender, 4 Sharpe Blades with Whisk, Milk Frother Attachments Rooto 1030 1 Lb. Drain Cleaner with Lye, 3 Pack PACIFIC PPE 2 Pack Safety Glasses, Anti-fog, Scratch Resistant Clear Wraparound Lenses and No-Slip Grips, Adjustable, Lab Goggles Loaf Soap Making Molds 50oz Silicone Rectangular Mould Supplies for Handmade DIY Soap My Weigh KD-7000 Digital Kitchen and Office Scale (Black) Oatmeal Milk and Honey Fragrance Oil (60ml) for Diffusers, Soap Making, Candles, Lotion, Home Scents, Linen Spray, Bath Bombs, Slime

A Note About Lye

Lye is the essential ingredient that acts as a catalyst in the saponification process. Essentially, lye breaks down the oils, allowing them to combine with the water in the recipe to create soap.

Without lye, the oils and water would not mix properly; they would remain as separate layers.

It’s important to note that no lye remains in the finished product if the soap is made correctly. It reacts with the oils and fats during saponification to create soap and glycerin, leaving no residual lye in the finished bars.

Remember to handle the lye carefully. It’s a strong alkaline substance that can burn your skin and eyes. Always use proper safety equipment like gloves and goggles when working with it. For a detailed guide on working with lye safely, check out this comprehensive lye safety guide.

Hot Process vs. Cold Process

In cold process soap, the batter cures at room temperature over time.

The hot process accelerates this process by applying heat. Saponification happens during the “cooking process” and is done within an hour.

The soap is often slightly lumpy and harder to swirl or do other designs. The advantage is that it’s ready to use right away.

Can You Use Any Recipe for this Method?

Any soap recipe can used as a hot process recipe, with a few exceptions.

The core ingredients like oils, lye, and water will usually remain the same in both methods, but the procedure and some additional ingredients may differ.

In the hot soap process, some fragrances and colorants may behave differently due to the heat. Fragrances can evaporate, and some colors may change or fade, so adding these elements after the cooking phase is a good idea.

I wouldn’t recommend a recipe with a lot of honey or sugar, as they will heat the soap even more and become very hot.

Also, the texture will be more rustic, and the soap might not be as smooth as cold process soap. With the hot process, achieving intricate designs is more challenging (or even impossible), so it’s often reserved for simpler, more natural-looking bars.

If you’re looking for an extra nourishing soap, you might want to try this shea butter soap recipe, which adds even more moisturizing properties to your bars.

Usage Suggestions

You could use this soap with scented bath salts, loofah sponges, soft hand towels, or moisturizing lotion bars for a complete relaxing experience.

Troubleshooting and Help

Can I make this recipe without a stick blender?

It’s possible, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Mixing by hand can take a long time, and you might not get the soap to “trace” as quickly or consistently as with a stick blender. If you’re serious about soap-making, a stick blender is worth having!

What does “trace” mean?

Great question! Trace is when your soap mixture thickens enough to leave a faint trail or “trace” on the surface when you lift the blender. It’s the point when the oils and lye are fully combined and starting to thicken, which means it’s ready to start cooking in the slow cooker.

What if my soap looks lumpy or dry?

If your soap looks lumpy, it could be because it wasn’t blended long enough or reached trace too quickly. Dry, crumbly soap can happen if too much lye is used or if the oils aren’t measured properly. Always double-check your measurements and make sure to blend until the soap is smooth and uniform.

Can I add different oils or scents to this recipe?

Absolutely! One of the best things about making your own soap is that you can customize it. Just keep the overall oil amounts the same for the recipe to work properly. And remember, add scents or essential oils after the soap has cooled down to about 180°F, so the fragrance doesn’t evaporate.

Can I make this without a slow cooker?

You could, but the slow cooker makes things much easier because it keeps the soap at a consistent temperature while it cooks. If you don’t have one, you could try using a double boiler on the stovetop, but you’ll need to monitor it closely.

How long do I really need to wait before using the soap?

Technically, you can use it right after 12-24 hours of curing, but the soap will last longer and feel better if you let it cure for 1-2 weeks. It’ll harden and give you a longer-lasting bar that doesn’t dissolve as quickly.

Is hot process soap safe to use right away?

Yes, hot process soap is technically safe to use after it hardens (usually 12-24 hours). However, if you let it cure for a week or two, the bar will become harder, last longer, and lather better. It’s worth the wait!

Storage Instructions

To store your hot process soap, let it cure in a cool, dry place for 1-2 weeks. After curing, store the bars in an airtight container or wrap them individually in wax paper or plastic wrap to keep them from drying out too much. Keep the soap in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight to preserve its quality.

Freezing is not recommended for soap, as it can affect the texture and cause cracking. Properly stored, your soap will last for several months or longer.

I hope this guide helps you feel ready to try making hot process soap at your place. It’s an easy method that lets you mix in your preferred oils, fragrances, and extras, creating a soap that’s uniquely yours. With a bit of patience, you’ll quickly have a lovely, hydrating bar of soap—great for yourself or as a caring gift.

DIY Hot Process Soap: Quick, Easy, and Ready in Days (With Video)