Last weekend I had a special request to make Honeysuckle Himalayan soap. It’s really become one of my favorite soap too. I always feel more energized after showering with it.

The request was made using the hot process (HP) method. The advantages of HP over cold process (CP) is that it can be used within a few days. And it also makes for a harder bar too.

I have a small Crock Pot that can make only 1 batch at a time. I tried to make a larger batch once and it over flowed and had to deal with raw soap - not fun.

Notice the top portion doesn’t look too pretty. Kind of lumpy. But it’s still the same good soap!

This 1st batch went well but just doesn’t look too pretty. Although it is still very nice soap. Batch #2 started to crumble near the edges while I was cutting it. It looks to me like the soap cooled too fast. The middle part is nice and creamy, but the edges just not too pretty.

HP soaping has it’s challenges and is difficult to put into the mold, as it’s very hard and starts to harden up fast. I think the best mold for HP is a cylinder mold like an old Pringles can. I made Eucalyptus Mint using HP method and it turned out really nice.

With HP soaping, the temperature of the lye doesn’t have too match the oils. But the oils can’t be too hot or cold. I learned this the hard way not once, but twice. Just to be safe, I still try to match the temperature just like CP soaping.

Other soapers suggest you keep stirring it constantly. It’s not something you can walk away from and think it will work it’s own magic.  Once I left HP cooking and didn’t stir or check on it often enough. It was a tough lesson.

The other problem is that I haven’t been too successful with HP soap. Luckily I never throw away any bad batches and was able to salvage them all.I always feel bad because I use such good vegetable oils just to see it not work out. I just have to cook it again the next day and turn into laundry or hand soap.

In conclusion, I am a fan of CP soaping. It leaves for a creamy and nice looking bar of soap. And I haven’t had a bad batch yet!

But some days I like to make hot process just to try something different.  And clean up is easy, as the soap is already saponified.  So no need to worry about raw soap around the house.

Ingredients for the Himalayan Honeysuckle Handmade Soap:

Goat milk, oils of olive, rice, palm, and avocado. Sodium hydroxide, Pink Himalayan Salt, and Honeysuckle fragrance.

This HP batch was tricky, I think it must have been the goat milk. Or maybe I overcooked it? Still not sure, but definitely a lesson in HP for me.

On another note: It’s really nice to know that other people like my handmade soaps as much as I do. The soaps are all made with much joy and love by me - Cambree in California.