What is the ratio of lye to oil in soap making?

Divide the amount of lye by 0.3 and then subtract the amount of lye from the result. For example, to make just over 2 pounds of olive oil soap, measure 32 ounces of olive oil and 4.33 ounces of lye because 32 ounces of olive oil × 0.1353, which is the saponification value for olive oil, = 4.33 ounces of lye.

What is the ratio of oil to lye in soap making?

Divide the amount of lye by 0.3 and then subtract the amount of lye from the result. For example, to make just over 2 pounds of olive oil soap, measure 32 ounces of olive oil and 4.33 ounces of lye because 32 ounces of olive oil × 0.1353, which is the saponification value for olive oil, = 4.33 ounces of lye.

How much lye do you put in soap?

If using more liquid oils in your soap, though, superfatting over 10% is probably going to result in a soft bar of soap that isn’t as cleansing. The default in the Soapcalc lye calculator is 5%. I think 5-8% is a good range to play with, depending on what type of soap you are making.

What happens if you put too much lye in soap?

When soap is made with too much lye, it is called “lye-heavy.” This means there is extra, free floating lye that was not made into soap during the saponification process. Lye heavy soap can be irritating when applied to the skin and should not be used or sold. Lye heavy soap is often crumbly or dry feeling.

How do you mix oil and lye?

Add Lye to Oils

When both the lye and the oils are at about 100 F, slowly pour the lye solution into the oils. Stir the mixture with a stick blender, alternating short blasts of the blender and stirring.

What is the lye to fat ratio?

Multiply 16 (fat wt) by 0.132 = 2.1 oz. of lye. Why different oils have their own SAP values: It all has to do with the length of the fatty acid chain. Briefly, it takes the same amount of lye to saponify a short fatty acid molecule as it does to saponify a long fatty acid molecule.

How do I know if my soap is lye heavy?

If the bar “zaps” you, it’s likely lye heavy. The feeling is hard to describe, but you’ll definitely notice it. Don’t do this test if the soap is seeping, as the liquid may be unsaponified lye that can burn your tongue. If the soap doesn’t zap you, it’s likely safe to use.

How do you calculate soap ingredients?

Calculating the Amount of Soap Needed to Fill a Soap Mold
  1. Calculate the volume of the mold in cubic inches.
  2. Multiply the volume of the mold by 0.4 to find the total amount of oils in the recipe. …
  3. Enter that amount of oils into an online lye calculator to get the final recipe quantities.

What oil makes soap bubbly?

Some add to the hardness or softness of the bar, and others contribute to lather. Coconut Oil – This is the number one soap making ingredient for creating lather with big, luxurious bubbles.

How do you make homemade lye?

To make lye in the kitchen, boil the ashes from a hardwood fire (soft woods are too resinous to mix with fat) in a little soft water, rain water is best, for about half an hour. Allow the ashes to settle to the bottom of the pan and then skim the liquid lye off the top.


How do you fix too much lye in soap?

To correct a lye heavy batch, shred the soap as finely as possible, using gloves to protect your hands, and add to a slow cooker set on low. Add 1 tablespoon of distilled water and cover. Allow the soap to cook, stirring occasionally, until it has melted into a homogenous solution.

Does Dove soap contain lye?

Dove. It is true that the words “lye” or “sodium hydroxide” do not appear on the Dove ingredient label. But, the first ingredients listed were sodium tallowate, sodium cocoate, and sodium palm kernelate. … Yes, Dove is made with lye!

Why is my soap not hardening?

Too much extra liquid (milk, purees, etc.) on top of the water in the lye solution causes soap to not harden correctly. … If soap goes through gel phase, it becomes harder faster. If using a silicone or plastic mold for cold process soap, use sodium lactate.

What happens when lye mixes with oil?

In order to make soap, oils must emulsify with lye, which begins the saponification process. During this process it’s important to make safety a top priority. … The liquid dissolves the lye and creates a lye solution. Mixing water and lye creates an exothermic reaction that causes a dramatic temperature increase.

What can I substitute for lye water?

It can be replaced by a homemade version made from two extremely common ingredients – baking soda and water. There are two approaches to making alkaline solution at home: one that uses baking soda and one that uses baked baking soda. However, baked baking soda is recommended for both mooncake and ramen making.

What temperature should I mix lye and oils?

For most soapers, the preferred temperature of soaping lye and oils are 120-130 ° F. In addition, many soapers and books believe it is helpful to have the lye and oil within 10 degrees of each other. The temperature range of 120-130 ° F is popular for several reasons.