divaknitting
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- Jul 4, 2008
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This is something more experienced soapers surely know, but I thought I'd pass it on just in case.
Well, I tried to premix my 50% lye solution for the first time (ala Paul). I thought I'd be extra safe and just mix it right in the gallon bottle. Measure out my water in the bottle then slowly added the lye with a funnel. That way, I wouldn't have to transfer lye solution between containers, right? :roll: After I was done, I gave it a gentle shake (was worried that too much shaking might not be good and left it in the utility sink overnight to cool.
The next morning I made soap. I noticed it wasn't tracing nearly as quickly (or maybe not at all) but was glad it was that way after I put in the fragrance since I was planning to swirl the soap. Checked on it this morning...soap is super soft and has a bit of oil pooled in the bottom of the liner. This is when it dawned on me something was off with the lye. When I picked up the jug, I realized the lye had formed a brick on the bottom of the container.
OH!: Guess the gentle shaking was not nearly enough to dissolve all the lye. No wonder my soap is so soft! Who knows what percent lye solution I really used. I can't believe I didn't notice it when I measured out the solution. Oh well, experiment and learn right?
Well, I tried to premix my 50% lye solution for the first time (ala Paul). I thought I'd be extra safe and just mix it right in the gallon bottle. Measure out my water in the bottle then slowly added the lye with a funnel. That way, I wouldn't have to transfer lye solution between containers, right? :roll: After I was done, I gave it a gentle shake (was worried that too much shaking might not be good and left it in the utility sink overnight to cool.
The next morning I made soap. I noticed it wasn't tracing nearly as quickly (or maybe not at all) but was glad it was that way after I put in the fragrance since I was planning to swirl the soap. Checked on it this morning...soap is super soft and has a bit of oil pooled in the bottom of the liner. This is when it dawned on me something was off with the lye. When I picked up the jug, I realized the lye had formed a brick on the bottom of the container.
OH!: Guess the gentle shaking was not nearly enough to dissolve all the lye. No wonder my soap is so soft! Who knows what percent lye solution I really used. I can't believe I didn't notice it when I measured out the solution. Oh well, experiment and learn right?
