This type of Lye (NaOH) on the chart below is used to make hard bars of soap. If you would like to make liquid soap, you need to use Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) I am now working on a chart for KOH and will post it as soon as it's done.

This chart gives the original SAP numbers first (in black), and the milder SAP numbers second (in blue). The milder numbers give you a 5% discount. You have to be extremely accurate if you use the first numbers, or you could end up with lye in your finished soaps! The milder numbers leave just a bit of room for small mistakes, and just enough unsaponified oils for really wonderful soap that won't go rancid too soon.

To use these numbers, take the amount of fat you plan to use in your recipe (in ounces) and multiply it by the decimal number assigned to that type of fat. The resulting answer will be the amount of lye needed (in ounces). When you are finished calculating all of your fats and oils, add the numbers together. Then round up if you are using the numbers from the milder column. (If using the numbers from the old column, I would just use the exact number)

For the amount of water needed, add up the weight of the fats and oils and divide that number by 3. That number will be the amount of water to use in ounces (but I always add just a couple more ounces to this number because it works better).

Saponification Numbers for Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

Milder Column with a 5% Discount

* These numbers have been altered from the 5% difference because a slightly higher ratio will work better.

For a printable version of this chart click here

A very big THANK YOU to Kathy Miller for allowing me to put this chart on my website. You can see her site at millersoap.com

Do you still have questions? Click here