Hot Process Soap Mica Hanger Swirl

#micasandmore #micasandmoremakers #howtomakesoap #soapmaking
You can Save on Soap Supplies by ordering at micasandmore.com. Orders ship within a few days unless noted as pre-order.
This is my first video showing the making of hot process soap with a hanger swirl using Shamrock Green mica. This mica has since been discontinued. However, I carry lots of other green micas.
*Please excuse the lack of gloves, it was my first video and I forgot. I always wear gloves now.
This video shows soap making, which involves caustic materials, and is NOT intended for children or for the uninformed. Only make soap once you have done research on how to safely work with the materials involved.
Please note that the purpose of this video is to show how supplies may be used in soap. It is not intended to be a complete tutorial. Please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell, and follow on Instagram too.
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[@JenSpice]

Ah Stephanie, another awesome soap! If you guys out there haven't signed up for her fast buys, get in there and see her awesome collection of soap making goodies. Her prices are amazing and the micas are gorgeous.

[@micasandmore]

Jen Spice I think that’s my first video! It was fun but now I think of how much better it could have been, lol! Still running the buys though!

[@tc247]

Hi Jen, I knew Steph from fb yrs ago before she first started selling Mica's and More. Then she did and I bought some and then I quit making soap and everything. My husband lost his job and we had family issues. I missed her and I missed learning to make soap. She is one awesome lady, though!

[@bramble-berry]

That looks so awesome! I've never tried a hanger swirl in hot process soap before. I love the way it looks. =)

[@micasandmore]

Wow, two years ago, and I’m just now seeing this! I’m so sorry! Thank you! I’ve changed some things with my HP method since my first video, but I’m happy with how it turned out.

[@DianneElizabeth64]

Thank you. This is a perfect example.

[@DixieHippie730]

FINALLY i LOVE this tutorial been searching forever for how to swirl hot process bout to make s hanger like that right now thank you!

[@micasandmore]

You're welcome and thank you! I don't make it quite the same now, but it's still very similar. I don't add as much water, I use yogurt, and I try to keep the soap covered and/or warm. Really I haven't done as much HP lately because I test in CP, but HP will always be my favorite.

[@lyndiaroot333]

I am so happy I came across this video. I started out with hot process but wanted to do all the fancy swirls in CP. I am failing miserably and decided to do another hp just to boost my spirits. I am so going to be trying this SOON! Thanks so much for taking the time to share.

[@micasandmore]

I'm glad you like it! I think I could have mixed the water in better and gotten more fluidity. It's always an adventure!

[@alicecarotenuto7070]

Luv this soap, and the way you tell us step by step of what you are doing and you have really helped me understand a lot of things that as a new soaper I really was confused about so I just want to give you a big THANK YOU very much and please keep doing you videos. :) I think your great!

[@micasandmore]

Thank you Alice! This is just one way I've made HP soap, there are so many options! I don't make as many videos doing HP because I need to show what the micas will do in CP (where it will behave the worst if it is going to, lol). I also recommend videos done by Valerie Mosher, her channel is Shalebrook Handcrafted Soap.

[@Mumsy_Soap]

Your first video! Wow. You've come a long way!

[@micasandmore]

Providence Soapery 62959, definitely, I’ve learned a lot!

[@Soshi221109]

Lovely soap and I love your plastic mold; simple and nice.

[@micasandmore]

countfrom1to10 Thank you! I used corrugated plastic molds for at least a year when I started. It’s great to DIY and get just the shape size you want!

[@judygarcia1219]

Gorgeous!

[@micasandmore]

Thank you! How did I miss this comment from so long ago??? I'm sorry!

[@craftlover9702]

Awesome!

[@micasandmore]

+Craftlover 9 Thank you!

[@DixieHippie730]

Freakin Genius!

[@micasandmore]

Kim Brown, thank you! I learned everything from generous soapers in groups on Facebook who shared what they learned. I’m happy to share too. :)

[@tej_apostrophe_a]

It's so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

[@micasandmore]

TorTeja Thank you!

[@gunner4q]

good soap..good job..

[@micasandmore]

Thank you!

[@Mumsy_Soap]

Thanks for sharing. great ideas

[@micasandmore]

Thank you! I'm happy to share what I've learned, it's all been from videos and groups. :)

[@hannahsimpson2256]

I hope you come back to do more videos. This one was really well done. :D

[@micasandmore]

Thank you! I definitely plan on making more. I have so many colors to play with it's hard to decide what to make next.

[@Victoria19572]

Please do more video's Stephanie. I would like to see made from the beginning with all the ingred. listed, then how you add them , and last of all you said you could make the HP more Fluid. I would like to see that with maybe 2 colors add to the soap. IT would be a wonderful video for beginners like me that are terrified of HP..I didn't think there were pretty HP soaps with vibrant colors until I saw them on fb and here. Thank you, sorry this is so long...Victoria... (please consider it ;) thanks again, blessings, v

[@micasandmore]

+victoria ciolek I have another video with several colors, and it is pretty fluid, better than this one. I do need to get some more videos done, lol! I am very thankful that I found the Hot Process Facebook group, or I wouldn't have known about fluid HP either.

[@missreynolds3637]

I would've never guessed this was your first soap making video ? how do you mix titanium dioxide to add to soap and what are the ratios of sugar and salt added to a recipe? Thanks in advance. I'm a newbie soap maker and have had better luck with HP than CP.

[@micasandmore]

Miss Reynolds, thank you! I’m not sure if the TD was oil or water soluble, but it was premixed in whichever medium it was made for. I normally use 1 teaspoon of sea salt per pound of oils, and 1 tablespoon of sugar PPO.

[@missreynolds3637]

Thank you

[@christinabutts32]

what do u mix ur mica with? and how do u know how much to add.. I want to start making soaps but I get so many different answers lol

[@micasandmore]

3budderfly kisses Thanks for asking. This time I mixed with a little of my melted oils, but I use water more often now. There are so many ways to make soap, so you will get a lot a answers for the same question. I learned nearly everything from Facebook groups, so that's a good place to start, I think.

[@tc247]

Beautiful! Green is my favorite color, followed by purple. Steph I've been out of this for a long time. Putting sugar, cornstarch, and the last one is new to me. Where can I go to learn about how much to put in my batches? What does that do for the soap? You also said something at the end to use that makes the soap come out of the mold better. Can you tell me again? I think I made one batch of CP that turned out horrible and I quit. I want to start up again because I have almost everything. I love that you can use a hanger swirl. (and I have a ton of that kind that are going to Goodwill so I may keep 2 or 3 now) The soap came out beautifully. Instead of using TD could I use your White Satin Mica instead or does TD work better in CP? I also have to learn to make your mold box. I saw somewhere how to make it but forgot. It's h*** getting older and can't remember. lol I hope your doing well. I'm happy to have found you again. :) Thank you for everything. Thumbs UP! PS I think HP would be a better option for me, is there a book I could buy or is there a place I go to learn how to do it, besides you tube. IS there a fb channel that is GOOD and that I can learn about HP. I'm not on fb much anymore, that is why I'm asking. TY PSS I see that I watched this and commented one other time, yrs ago. Sorry Steph. I've been really busy and off fb for a while. I want to re-learn everything about CP and HP so I can get into doing this. I still have everything, just have to get going and know what I'm doing. I will be buying from you! I will NEVER forget your kindness to me when me and my family were going through such hard times. You were so kind and are awesome. Sorry about this novel... ;(

[@micasandmore]

Hi Victoria! It's so glad to see you in the soaping world again! When I said cornstarch that was a misspeak, I meant corn silk. You can use dried corn silk, cut up, and it gives a silky feeling to the soap. I use tussah silk now, but it was fun to use something local. I used about a cotton ball size in a about 2 pound of oils batch. It's not an exact thing from what I understand. Using salt (table or sea salt) OR sodium lactate can be added to help soap release from the mold more easily, and it helps it set up faster. I use 3% for CP and sometimes 5% for HP, but sadly, I haven't done much HP lately. I'm doing CP to test how fragrances and colors will hold up, because I know in HP they will almost certainly behave better, so it's not a good test. I actually prefer White Satin mica to TD, and that's nearly all I use now. I love HP, but I haven't ever bought a book on it, so I can't honestly recommend one. I have mostly used youtube and facebook for what I've learned. I highly recommend Valerie Mosher's channel Shalebrook Handcrafted Soap for info and teaching techniques. She's so generous and kind, and has freely shared her soaping journey, which is how so many of my soapy friends have learned, by passing it on. Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm very lucky to have met the wonderful people I have here, and I'm glad that I was able to help at some point, even if it was just being able to help answer something. :) I sometimes miss comments here, so please forgive any delays. It's always ok to chat here though!

[@AGREENERLIFE]

Stephanie thank you for adding me to your Facebook group!! I watched your video yesterday and I never knew you could have fluid hot process soap!!! I have all boys had a hard time at the end of my hot process so. Do you have a video that shows how you make it fluid with instructions? I am sort of a newbie and that would help so much!! Thank you!!

[@micasandmore]

+Karen Lemperle I"m glad you found the HP groups as well! My other video "Rain" will give you a better idea of how I make my soap, but really, it's just adding more water (or milks) once it's done, and stir well. :)

[@kelseyraye9627]

+Stephanie Graham (Micas and More) does it matter how much water? or milk you add?

[@micasandmore]

+Kelsey Thomas, I start out with a set amount of water or milk weighed and ready to add. However, if the soap is too thick, I have extra warmed up and ready to add as needed. I didn't always have it warmed, and have had soap seize up on me. Not fun! When it's kept warm, I haven't had that happen. Truthfully, I just add enough to get it as fluid as I want it, although, there are other ways of seeing if it will get more fluidity. You can add sodium lactate (or yogurt, which has SL) after the cook and then cover it. After it sits for about 10 minutes, it should get fluid again. I have seen this but not gotten it on video myself.

[@loririchards-guenter3047]

+Stephanie Graham (Micas and More) So with the yogurt...how much would you add to improve fluidity?

[@lmturmenne]

She didn't add yogurt. She added Titanium Dioxide and water at the end. At minute 2:30 that was titanium dioxide and water.

[@Victoria19572]

Beautiful Stephanie, Greens and Purples are my favorite colors..dark greens at least are..and that was one beautiful soap...What color of green was that do you mind me asking? thank you, VIctoria

[@micasandmore]

+victoria ciolek I missed this earlier, I'm sorry! Thank you for the kind words. The color was called Shamrock Green, but it was from my supplier that closed. The closest I have might be Blackish Green now, which is dark. More of a Kellly Green (lighter than this) would be Fruit Green or Sparkle Green.

[@AGREENERLIFE]

I love the colors...is there any set amount of water to titanium dioxide that you mix and add to your soap or do you just kinda eyeball it?

[@micasandmore]

+Karen Lemperle I don't think there was a set amount of water I used. The amount of water isn't as important as the amount of soap you put it in, the water just disperses it, the amount of soap is what determines the saturation of the color. I believe I tried 1/4 teaspoon of TD for a cup of soap. I start low and go from there so it doesn't get chalky. I prefer white mica over TD though.

[@roxyts1111]

Hi, how do you make your mold...what material?

[@micasandmore]

Roxy G, I made that mold with corrugated plastic. I had trouble keeping the sides even, so eventually I switched to silicone molds.

[@SunATCtrade]

I want to try to make soap, hot process seems much simpler than cold process! So you always put your oils into the lye right? Will one be able to make the beautiful swirls with the method I see in cold process soap? Seems so much easier and less to clean. Subbing, love your channel!

[@micasandmore]

Thank you for subscribing, I really need to get more videos out there! I honestly think cold process is easier, I do both, but HP is my favorite. Please know that I don't do these videos as a comprehensive tutorial, but here's what I do as far as procedure. Oils get weighted and then melted in the crock pot. Water gets weighed out, some I then reserve to add after the cook. Lye is weighed out and ALWAYS added to the water, never anything into dry lye, it could essentially explode right in front of you. Lye is carefully poured into the water. Once dissolved, I add the lye water to the oils. With HP it takes a bit more work to get a formula and a method, and often additives (like sodium lactate, yogurt, sugar water, or just hot water) to get the soap to stay fluid enough for swirls like in CP. I prefer HP because I can add my superfat at the end of the cook, so I get to choose it. But really I wouldn't call it easier. It is generally faster as far as getting to use your soap though! Have fun, and feel free to ask anything.

[@SunATCtrade]

wow Thank you. And no worries, I have done a lot of research, and watch soap queen a lot lol, so I am not making anything until I am comfortable with knowing what I am doing :) It just seems you can play a lot more with CP in terms of looks. Right?

[@micasandmore]

Yes, it is typically much more fluid than HP, although I've seen HP soap that you would never know that it isn't CP for sure.

[@Babyface7024]

This is awesome! How much salt, sugar and added water did you use?

[@micasandmore]

+Baby Reese I'm sorry I didn't see this! I add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of oils, a tablespoon of sugar PPO, and the water I just add until I like the fluidity. On this one I didn't use enough.

[@Babyface7024]

Aww! No problem!

[@sueellen7206]

Could you please share about the soap ingredient you add to your lye solution? I am so impressed with your HP soaping technique. Thank you for the video.

[@micasandmore]

SueEllen Pompa thank you for the kind words! My other video shows a soap that is even more fluid. ;) I learned a lot at the Hot Process Soapmakers group on facebook. I can't take credit for the techniques here. The additive I put in the lye solution was dried corn silk. Just that stringy stuff from fresh corn, but dried. I snip off little pieces, and maybe use half a cotton ball sized amount for a 2 pound batch of soap. It is supposed to give a feel similar to tussah silk, I can't tell the difference between the two.

[@CLightCandlesSoap]

Nice hp soap, I just got done doing a hp soap, the video is saving now, you should check it out when it gets done, it will be called Very Berry English Garden, it's my own scent blend and it smells amazing!

[@micasandmore]

Thank you! I don't know how I missed your comment!

[@donnahaynes]

Niceee..

[@micasandmore]

Donna Haynes thank you!

[@LS-oj8ti]

Can u share the amounts of sugar u added and the salt? Plus how much water did you add at the end? I'm having a hard time working with my soap towards the end bc it's cooling to fast

[@micasandmore]

I add 1 tablespoon of sugar ppo, then 1 teaspoon sea salt ppo. Then I remove half of the water, and set aside. The rest of the water is what I use for the lye, then continue as normal. I start with 40 to 50% water. A lot of people I know like to warm their water or other additives before adding to the soap, saying it helps with keeping it all warm, and not a shock to the soap.

[@LS-oj8ti]

Oh ok... thanks so much!! Happy soaping

[@micasandmore]

You're very welcome! Happy soaping to you too!

[@elibedrod]

I enjoyed watching your process. I love the instant gratification of HP and always looking for new ways to keep it fluid. Thank you for sharing so many tips. My question is: are you just setting aside part of the water that is originally measured out to be used for your lye water?

[@micasandmore]

I am so sorry for the super late reply. If it still helps, yes, I set aside part of my water, but then for this soap I also added extra. I don't necessarily recommend that anymore though, as it set up with a U shape on top. I would use other methods, like adding sugar water, sodium lactate, and making sure the soap isn't over cooked to get a nice fluid soap now. Valerie Mother at Shalebrook Handcrafted Soaps has some excellent videos on fluid HP. I haven't done very many, and this is almost all she does, and very well I might add.

[@scmarih]

Hello, I've been searching for a similar green mica for my soaps and i didn't see it on your page. Do you know where I can get something similar? Thank you.

[@micasandmore]

Sorry I missed this the other day! When I made the video, that color was available, but now it's out of stock. I'm hoping when the Conservatorie opens tomorrow it will be restocked, along with a few others. I can follow up when it's back.

[@scmarih]

ok, thank you

[@micasandmore]

The company I purchased this from has not restocked it yet. I am currently looking at other companies to replace it.

[@micasandmore]

Just to follow up, the Shamrock Green remains out of stock. However, I have added several more greens, some closer to a Kelly green, not with the bluish tint this one has, if you'd like to check out the store.

[@micasandmore]

Maricela Hinojosa The supplier where I get this green is finally back in stock, and I just ordered some, so I'll have extra if you need it. I thought they might never get it back, lol.

[@abrarameen88]

Do you heat the oil? What is the degree of oil until we add a sodium hydroxide solution to the oil?

[@micasandmore]

samarah ani, I’m sorry I missed your comment previously. I didn’t take temperatures at this point in my soap making. Once the oils were melted I added the lye water. With hot process it’s ok to add the two together even if the temperatures are not similar.

[@CrystalChristianStore]

I had a question which is the difference from hot process or cold process i saw its the same🤔

[@micasandmore]

Hi Crystal. In cold process you mix the lye water into the oils, add any color and scent, and then pour into the soap mold. After about 24 hours, it had soponified, or turned into soap. In hot process you mix the lye water into the oils, and use heat (here I'm using a crock pot) to speed up the process of soponification. By the time I'm molding it, it is already soap. It just has to cool down enough to stay in the shape of the mold.

[@CrystalChristianStore]

+Stephanie Graham (Micas and More) so at hot process you dont need wait 4 or 6 weeks for use the soaps? Sorry if i ask a lot😊❤️

[@micasandmore]

+Crystal Estrada, you can use hot process right away. But it will last longer if you set it to "dry" for a few weeks. The more fluid you add, the longer it will need to sit. Questions are always fine here. :)

[@CrystalChristianStore]

+Stephanie Graham (Micas and More) thanks😊❤️

[@crews28able]

Ive been trying hot process soap for a couple days now i am making small batches about the length of your bars but not so tall. My soap does not go thru a separation when cooking and i get worried cause it puffs within 10-20 min looks like its going to burn. And also when i take it off i have to cool it to add fragrance if i dont the fragrance all evaporates. By then the soap is almost hard and very difficult to work with. I seen you add salt and sugar does that make it more pourable and how long do u wait to add fragrance? Cold process is easier by far but takes to long to cure im trying to sell for Christmas any info will help alot ty God bless you!

[@EvenSewSteph]

I believe this one separated as much as it did because I let the oils heat up longer than usual. Stirring it back together worked well once I realized that's what had happened. I'm not an expert on fragrance oils, but as long as you are using enough, it should not evaporate even if you add it pretty hot. Some essential oils, like citruses, tend to fade, but can be anchored with a clay or a base note. I use sea salt to help make the bars harden up faster, because I'm adding more water at the end. It also makes unmolding a breeze. I don't know if it helps with fluidity for sure, or if it's just the added water. This batch wasn't as fluid as I wanted it to be, but I'll get another video out soon for that. The sugar helps increase bubbles in the finished soap, and may help with fluidity during molding. Again, I'm not certain if it's more that or the water, but I add it for bubbles anyway. A week or so setting up time should be good for Christmas gifts, so you still have time! I hope that helps, and I'll be happy to answer any questions, but I recommend the hot processes soapmakers group on Facebook for some excellent advice. At a year in, I'm still learning so much and the soapers there are very helpful.

[@EvenSewSteph]

Oops, I see you said not gifts, but selling for Christmas. Either way they should be solid within a week or so. I wouldn't do much extra water though, so people won't get disappointed if it seems to melt quickly, which happens if it's still evaporating some water. You don't want to get a bad reputation. You can even use a fan on them to help circulate air. Good luck!

[@micasandmore]

Just clearing up comments I didn't reply to yet, and I realized I replied with my personal account. Sorry for any confusion.

[@BriaAT91]

is the crockpot on high?

[@micasandmore]

+BriaAT91, yes, in general, I cook on high. If I'm replacing all of my water with a milk, I will soap on low. But generally I will reduce the water and add concentrated milk powder at the end, reconstituted in a smaller amount of water.

[@TheMixtressJ]

Stephanie Graham thanks so much for sharing your technique with us who are still learning so much about soaping! quick question though, when you add the milk at the end does the heat discolor the sugars in the milk? how do I achieve a white hot process milk soap is it even possible?

[@micasandmore]

I'm sorry I missed this question from so long ago. I'm glad to share what I have tried out. I used TD with this soap, but when I add milks after the cook it doesn't get scorched by the lye. It might not be bright white, but at least a very light cream.

[@renatonovas6185]

please can you provide is income? I never used sugar and salt, I like to have the recipe. please?

[@micasandmore]

I'm not sure what you mean by is income, but I have sold soap, it's not what I do as a job though, it's a hobby. This particular recipe is not anything special, but I don't recall the exact formula. It is likely a combination of olive oil, coconut oil, lard, maybe soy, and Shea butter.

[@valbakke]

Please wear gloves. Safety gear is needed with cold process and hp soap.

[@micasandmore]

+valbakke Thank you for your concern, it was my first soap video, and I do wear gloves now.