What can I use in place of sodium hydroxide?

In summary, magnesium hydroxide is a safe alternative alkali to use as a replacement for sodium hydroxide and is readily available as both a powder and as 63\% solids slurry.

Can you make potassium hydroxide?

Potassium Hydroxide is manufactured using electrolysis utilising membrane cell technology. Potassium salt in the form of brine is electrolysed to produce Potassium Hydroxide, Chlorine and Hydrogen. The solution is typically 32\% in Strength which is concentrated to 50\% using evaporation.

Is lye sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide?

“Lye” most commonly refers to sodium hydroxide (NaOH), but historically has been used for potassium hydroxide (KOH). Today, lye is commercially manufactured using a membrane cell chloralkali process. It is supplied in various forms such as flakes, pellets, microbeads, coarse powder or a solution.

What is the difference between using NaOH and KOH in making soap?

Potassium hydroxide is slightly smaller than sodium hydroxide which means it cuts through oil molecules faster than sodium hydroxide. This makes potassium hydroxide a great choice for soaps that need to remove caked-on oil. Due to production costs, potassium hydroxide is generally more expensive than sodium hydroxide.

Is castile soap made with potassium hydroxide?

Although Castile soap requires lye (potassium hydroxide) as an ingredient in its creation, a process called saponification converts the lye and vegetable oils into a new compound, resulting in a lye-free end product. To ensure your soap is organic, choose certified organic oils.

How do you make soap without NaOH?

The main way that you can make soap without handling lye is by using melt-and-pour soap. It’s already been through saponification (oils reacting with lye) and is safe to use and handle straight out of the package. All you do with it is melt it, add your scent, color, and other additives, then pour it into molds.

What is a substitute for sodium hydroxide in soap?

All soap is made with lye. Either sodium hydroxide is used for hard bar soap or potassium hydroxide is used for liquid soaps. There is no substitute for lye. Nothing else will make oil become soap.

How do you make a homemade KOH solution?

Make potassium hydroxide from wood ashes. The pioneers leached the ashes from their wood fires and used the potassium carbonate they contained to make soap. Potassium carbonate, if heated strongly, gives off carbon dioxide gas, producing potassium oxide. Reacting the oxide with water produces potassium hydroxide.