Hmmm- looks like this didn't go out. I do get distracted easily and have
to leave the computer, so here it is.
Hi,
THere are lots of places who sell "lye" that is not pure. We have been
given mixed information that you do not need pure lye for soapmaking and
that you do. In my own opinion, we do need pure lye, which, by the way, is
Sodium Hydroxide. Soap requires
the cleanest ingredients you can find to make really good soap. Do you ever
get that ash on top of your soap while it is still in
the mold? That shows that something was not as pure as it should be. Did
you use tap water? That can make soap come out
really funny at the very best.
We used to live in Oregon, where we had a pure, artesian well we were able
to get water free from. Our tap water came from a
pure artesian well also. Then we moved to American Falls, Idaho, and
without thinking, when I was giving a class at my home,
I turned on the tap water and used it. The soap did not even turn out! I
had caves with beautiful stalagmites, crevices and
even a few rivers of un-processed lye! What an experience to be doing this
in front of a class! It is really funny
to me now, especially because I did not realize for several weeks why it
happened. Then it was a real "DUH"
moment!
You do not ned to get "Food Grade" lye, Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH, which is the
lye used for making bars of soap.
You do need to get a pure lye, though. Food grade will cost you much more.
Yes, if you are not familiar with
the fact, lye is often included in some food processing proceedures. I do
not agree with it, but what can I say.
The other kind of lye out there for soapmaking is Potassium Hydroxide, or
KOH, it is potash and used for making
liquid soap. It also needs to be pure.
The reason Red Devil was removed from the grocery shelves is it is one of
the main ingredients druggies use in
making Meth. What a price we have to pay for such stupidity as these people
inflict upon themselves and others
who use the stuff! Enough of that, I could really go on a rampage here, but
we are on a soapmaking list, lol!
There are not alot of places who will ship lye in large quanities. This is
due to the hazzard licensing required. Lye
is one of those things that is very combustable, and if temps are too high
will burst into flames. Also, if the
container bursts, you have something that will eat through metal, skin,
plastic, most anything it touches, so the
terriffs are very high in shipping this item.
The best bet, is if you happen to live near one of the places you know you
can trust for pure lye, go there, get
a 50 lb bag and carefully pack it into a 5 gallon bucket with a good tight
fitting lid. Wear a mask over your face
when you pour it in, and wear rubber gloves, long sleeves and long pants
with shoes. This may sound a bit over
done to someone just starting out, but it isn't. Lye eats through your skin
in no time at all! It eats through many
metals. Stainless Steel is about the only metal it is safe to use for
soapmaking. Some plastics will hold up to lye
as well, but be very careful! It can eat right through it in no time at
all.
Also, if you are using lye, do not have your pets or children around you
while re-packaging it. It is just as harmful
to them. Lye is a very caustic substance and can damage you lungs with one
inhale of the dust, or the smell as
you are mixing it with water. It is best to wear a mask, and use over head
fans that suck the vapors out of the house. Many people go outside for this
proceedure, and it is not a bad idea to do this proceedure outside. I often
tiimes just pull my blouse over my nose while working with lye. My family
laughs and calls me the "Soap Bandit",
but it works!
Hope this helps a little. Soapmaking is fun, rewarding and a great
experience. I hope no one out there is too
afraid to use lye to make soap. A few cautions and careful planning is all
that is needed. If you have small
children, either have someone there to make sure they do not get in the way,
or make your soap while they
are asleep. I let the phone ring and place a note on the front door, in
case anyone comes to the door, while
I am in the middle of a proceedure I cannot be interrupted with, unless
someone is there who will handle the
door or phone.
Have a good day and a great soapmaking experience!
Vicki
