Instructions

To Bake the Baking Soda

1. Preheat the oven to 120°C/250°F (without fan).
2. Place the baking soda into a small oven-proof dish.
3. Bake the baking soda for 1 hour.
4. Remove the dish from the oven.
5. Let the baking soda cool completely.
6. Carefully transfer the baking soda to a sterilised glass jar. Take care not to touch the baked baking soda with your bare hands as it may irritate the skin.

To Make the Lye Water

1. Make the lye water just before you need to use it.
2. To make lye water for use in most recipes, you need to use a ratio of 1:4, i.e. 1 part baked baking soda to 4 parts water.
3. So for 1 teaspoon of lye water, mix 1/4 teaspoon baked baking soda with 1 teaspoon water.
4. Any unused lye water can be discarded down the kitchen drain.