Bulk Store of Premixed Lye/Water and Oils?

[craftykelly]

Is it possible to mix up a bulk batch of lye and water so I can just scoop out how much I need or is it best to use a fresh solution? I am thinking probably the later...

Can you do this with your oils?

Thanks

 

[carebear]

you can do it with both - it's called master batching. it's quite easy to do and simplifies things enormously in many cases.

Masterbatching oils works well if your soap recipe doesn't change. Take care that if you have oils that will cause the mix to solidify or even thicken that you either mix as it cools so you have a homogeneous blend or that you melt the whole thing and stir every time. Or maybe considering masterbatching just your liquid oils. Instead of master batching, many soapers just measure out multiple batches at once - say in buckets - so that when they want to soap they just grab the bucket they need.

Masterbatching lye works well if you always use the same concentration OR if you are comfortable doing some simple math.

In both cases, the appropriate containers are obviously important.

 

[Deda]

Masterbatching is so easy. I use a 50/50 lye/water solution. Just add the rest of the water for the batch.

One more streamlining trick - I add my color, fragrance and any other additives to the oil BEFORE I add the lye. For swirls I just do 2 or 3 smaller batches. So easy and very fast. No seize either.

 

[craftykelly]

Thankyou both for your replies. So its perfectly fine to add the fragrance/colour first? Sounds great, cause over the holidays I plan to make tonnes of soap with hubby is home for 3 weeks

 

[georgiastray]

Deda,

I never even thought about adding the fragrance, dye, etc to the oils before adding the lye - what a great idea, as I'm sure it would mix in so much easier, especially oxide colors, clay, etc. I swear I learn something new every time I log on here. Thanks for the tip!

 

[bassgirl]

Wouldn't more exposure to the lye effect the EO's?

 

[AshleyR]

Wouldn't more exposure to the lye effect the EO's?

I also assumed that the lye would "kill" some of the EO or FO?

 

[Deda]

When you add the FOs and EOs after you add lye you are still adding it to fresh lye. It's not like you are adding EO and FO straight into lye - you are adding it to oil.

I know it sounds a little odd, but I swear it works for me and completely solves the little lumps of color and seized batches. I get perfectly creamy and consistent batches.

I've never had a problem losing scent.

Edited to add - I soap COLD. Cold oil, cold lye, everything.

 

[bassgirl]

Well, I haven't had any problem with seizing or anything soaping warm, so I guess I'll just stick with what works for me. I'm continually amazed at all the variations that people do!