What is Potassium Hydroxide?

Potassium hydroxide is a caustic salt that you use for making liquid soap. It causes the saponification of fats, where a fat is split into alcohol and a fatty acid and soap is formed.

Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound of potassium and is also known as KOH or E525. It has a solid form that is white in color and is very irritating to the skin and eyes. Our Potassium Hydroxide has a purity of at least 90% KOH. Before you start working with Potassium Hydroxide it is important to take certain safety measures, you can read more about this below.

Benefits

To make liquid soap

Potassium hydroxide causes the saponification of oil-based ingredients, such as Shea Butter, Coconut Oil or Sunflower Oil. This way you create a wonderful liquid soap that truly cleanses and disinfects and moreover remains liquid. If you want to make a solid soap bar, then you better choose sodium hydroxide.

Regulates the pH value

Potassium hydroxide has a high pH value and is therefore very basic. The substance is therefore often used as an ingredient in cosmetics to balance the pH value of the finished product.

Other applications

Due to its saponifying properties and the high pH value, potassium hydroxide is often added as an ingredient to hair removal products, softening agents, disinfectants, paint removers and drain cleaners.

How do you use it?

Potassium hydroxide is highly corrosive and irritating to skin and eyes, it is therefore important to handle potassium hydroxide consciously. Read up well beforehand on the safe use of potassium hydroxide or get informed by an expert. Below are some guidelines:

• Only work with Potassium Hydroxide in a room that is well ventilated, so that it doesn't affect your lungs.
• Always add Potassium Hydroxide to water, not the other way around. This way you prevent a violent chemical reaction.
• Wear safety glasses that protect your eyes well, even when you have already dissolved the Potassium Hydroxide in water.
• Wear rubber or latex gloves and an apron.
• Make sure you wear long sleeves so that as little skin as possible is exposed to the substance.
• Use a heat-resistant bowl when working with potassium hydroxide and don't stir with a wooden rod: think of silicone and stainless steel materials, NO materials made of or with aluminum.
• When you add potassium hydroxide to water, the water heats up quickly, this makes it extra important to work with heat-resistant materials.
• Keep potassium hydroxide, or water in which you have dissolved potassium hydroxide away from children and pets.
• Remove clothing on which potassium hydroxide has landed immediately.
• Is your skin affected? Go to the doctor immediately, the wounds heal poorly by themselves. Wash irritated skin immediately with water and soap and rinse thoroughly.
• After inhaling the vapor of Potassium Hydroxide always immediately seek fresh air and consult a doctor if complaints arise.
• After eye contact rinse the eyes open for several minutes under running water and immediately consult a doctor.
• After ingestion drink a lot of water and ensure fresh air, immediately alert a doctor.

Potassium hydroxide attracts moisture, therefore store it in a well-sealed packaging, in a cool, dry place.

What makes it so special?

Potassium hydroxide is not to be confused with sodium hydroxide, a caustic salt that you use for making soap bars. Potassium hydroxide ensures that your soap becomes liquid, smooth and transparent, so that you can make the most wonderful liquid soap.