Dual Lye Mistake/Fix

[dibbles]

I finally got some KOH to try using it in a dual lye soap. I was playing around with a recipe on Soapee and planned to make two batches to see the difference between NaOH/KOH and NaOH. I want the soaps to be the same age for comparison. I weighed my water and added the NaOH. When I went to weigh the KOH, I realized that in all my Soapee tweaking I forgot to reset the percentages and was doing a 50/50 mix. I set that aside, covered with plastic wrap and started over. I will do a fresh batch of NaOH only today (hopefully).

I have figured out the additional amount of NaOH and water I need to use to make a third batch. Will the lye solution I mixed up yesterday and covered with plastic wrap be OK to use a few days later? And can I just add the additional water and NaOH to what is already in the lye pitcher or is it better to mix it separately and and add to the oils along with what was already mixed?

 

[Susie]

Yes, you can use lye mixed several days before. I masterbatch mine, and use it weeks later. Just stir well before using.

And yes, you can add the missing NaOH to it.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Just do make sure that it is sealed well, as the lye will react with the air and start to neutralize, meaning your solution would be weaker. If it has "skin" or scum on top when you go to use it, it might have reacted with the air

 

[dibbles]

Thanks for the replies. I was pretty sure it would be fine to use, but I find myself back in newbie territory. TEG, I'll look out for that - good tip!