Homemade lye water versus canned lye water question in soap making.

Question

Is homemade lye water (rain water ran through ashes and strong enough to float an egg or dissolve a feather) the same as lye water made from a commercial source that is powdered and canned, i.e. Red Devil type of lye? If a soap recipe calls for 12 oz of lye water, can I substitute 12 oz of wood ash lye water instead of using 12 oz of a lye water made from a commercial lye and basically have the same results? I am very new at soap making and all help is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

The active ingredient in lye water from wood ash is the alkalai Potassium Hydroxide. The alkalai in commercial lye is Sodium Hydroxide. They are both very corrosive, so use with care.

Soap made from wood ash ingredients is liquid, and slightly less effective. Using commercial lye produces a solid soap.

You know, of course about saving scrap fats ....

Soap-making is fiddley enough as it is. The guide to lye water strength is about as useful as "cook until done". Once you've done more controlled work, you'll be able to judge things better. At first, use ingredients you know to be predictable.