Botched Batch

[Wendlebee]

Hello, I made my first small batch of sodium hydroxide bar soap using the microwave method but I botched it. It is crumbly and hardened faster than I expected. What can one do with this stuff now? Can it be melted? Can it be salvaged?

 

[AliOop]

Sounds overcooked. I’d put it in a covered crockpot on low for a few hours with more liquid. Stir occasionally, and see if it will melt down. If it does, remold and it will be fine.

ETA: crumbly can also be a sign of lye excess, so do zap test it first. It shouldn’t be lye heavy after HP.

 

[Wendlebee]

Sounds overcooked. I’d put it in a covered crockpot on low for a few hours with more liquid. Stir occasionally, and see if it will melt down. If it does, remold and it will be fine.

ETA: crumbly can also be a sign of lye excess, so do zap test it first. It shouldn’t be lye heavy after HP.

Thank you! I definitely overcooked it! I did the zap test and no zap! Yay

 

[AliOop]

Thank you! I definitely overcooked it! I did the zap test and no zap! Yay

That's great! It's pretty easy to rebatch - just takes a little time and fuss. But I hate wasting soap so I always rebatch the mess-ups.