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.
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Safety equipment (gloves, goggles, apron)
- Heat-safe spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Thermometer (to check temperatures of lye water and oils)
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
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.