A specifically designed tool assists soapmakers in determining the precise amount of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) needed to react with a given quantity and type of fats and oils to create soap. This tool, provided by a prominent supplier of soapmaking ingredients, streamlines the saponification process by accounting for the unique fatty acid profile of various oils.
This calculation is critical to ensuring the resulting soap is neither too lye-heavy, which can cause skin irritation, nor too oily, which can result in a soft, undesirable bar. Historically, soapmakers relied on experience and generalized saponification values, but these tools offer increased precision, leading to consistent and high-quality soap products. They mitigate the risk of formulating unbalanced recipes, saving both time and resources.
