How much lye is too much?

[Kaybrantley]

I was making a lye, coconut oil, castor oil soap. I usually make 3 lb but decided to make 5lb. I did not have internet access so I tried extrapolating my 3lb recipe. Today I double check it with soap calc. According to soap calc, I should have used 8.55 oz of lye and I used 8.7 GM. Is it going to be useable? After bing in the mold for 24 hours, it is still soft.

 

[basti]

Please share the exact recipe that you used to make your 5lb batch.

 

[KiwiMoose]

8.7 grams? That's little more than a teaspoon of lye. That can't be right. Do you mean 87 grams? If so that's still way too little for 5 pounds of soap.

 

[Kaybrantley]

Please share the exact recipe that you used to make your 5lb batch.

53.5 oz lard
5.35 oz coconut oil
3.55 oz castor oil
8.7 oz lye
19.4 oz water

8.7 grams? That's little more than a teaspoon of lye. That can't be right. Do you mean 87 grams? If so that's still way too little for 5 pounds of soap.

I meant 8.7 oz

 

[cmzaha]

I use an average of 8.9 oz of Lye for 59 oz of oils at 2% superfat, for one of my go-to recipes.

 

[Terri E]

looks like it will be fine 3% SF (4 lbs)

 

[Kaybrantley]

looks like it will be fine 3% SF (4 lbs)
View attachment 72966

Thank you. What a relief!

 

[melinda48]

8.7 grams? That's little more than a teaspoon of lye. That can't be right. Do you mean 87 grams? If so that's still way too little for 5 pounds of soap.

I think she meant ounces. The recipe called for 8.5 oz. -bet she meant she used 8.7 oz.