Any soapmakers out there?

clare64

I have been making soap for a while but have never done this before!
Last week I made half the usual quantity of soap, but I now realise that I used the full quantity of lye!
I know it is not safe to use as soap but can this be used for, say household cleaning. I really want to avoid throwing it away if possible.
Many thanks
Clarexx

Gigervamp

I think it would still be too caustic for household soap. Normally, for a household soap, you'd make it with 0% superfat.

You could try rebatching it. I've never done a rebatch before, but there are plenty of knowledgable people over at The Dish who could help.

clare64

Thanks gingervamp I've just registered with The Dish and waiting for my registration email.
Do you think that if I melted down the soaps and added the half of the ingredients,(so it made a full batch and therefore the lye content would be correct) that it would saponify? Or is it a case that once it has saponified it won't do it again ?
Thanks
Clare

Gigervamp

It's worth a try. Check out rebatching and hot process on the Dish. You should be able to view the posts until you have your membership email.

gkalltheway

clare64 wrote: »

I have been making soap for a while but have never done this before!
Last week I made half the usual quantity of soap, but I now realise that I used the full quantity of lye!
I know it is not safe to use as soap but can this be used for, say household cleaning. I really want to avoid throwing it away if possible.
Many thanks
Clarexx

I have butchered many a batch of soap. (especially when I first started) I am very scared of lye in general and would stay away from rebatching. not sure how you could salvage it.

Gigervamp

gkalltheway wrote: »

I have butchered many a batch of soap. (especially when I first started) I am very scared of lye in general and would stay away from rebatching. not sure how you could salvage it.

This thread is from last year. I expect the batch has long been either rebatched or chucked.