Saponification Table

How much Lye should you use in order to saponify a specific fat or oil? Use this simple saponification table of the most commonly used ingredients to find out.

Multiply the number of grams per fat/oil ingredient by the SAP Number below. Remember, most recipes call for more than one ingredient.  In that case, you will need to figure the amount of lye for each of the ingredients separately and then add them together to achieve proper saponification.

Across the top of the table are 7 columns that detail the characteristics of each ingredient when used in soap making.

Hard/Soft – hard or soft bar of soap.  Soap that is too soft will dissolve easily.  Make sure that your  recipes always counteract soft oils with hard oils.

Cleansing – This column will tell you how well an acid cleans. All soaps clean relatively well, but some oils can produce a bar that is harsher. For the best results, try to balance your ingredients.

Fluffy Lather – A fluffy lather is thick and bubbly but washes away easily.

Stable Lather – Stable lather has very little substance but is harder to wash away. As a rule, you want a combination of ingredients that produce both fluffiness and stability to your soap’s lather.

Skin Care –  This column is primarily influenced by the of nourishing vitamins, the ingredients mildness and moisturizing abilities.