Another lye question

[Egzandra]

A newbie to making soaps, I have only made five batches using some caustic soda/lye from the chemist. I thought it would be OK - it says 98% on the pack. Now I realise that people use higher percentage products and I am wondering what the other 2% could be - and whether my soaps are safe having used this lye. They mostly look OK and the one that has passed the four weeks curing time seems OK to use - nice and bubbly.

Is the 98% OK to use or should I find something nearer to 100%. I am in the UK. :cry:

 

[donniej]

None of the lye used for soap making is really 100%, I'm skeptical that it's even 99%.... those purities are usually labeled as "lab grade" and are very expensive. I would not have a problem using 98%. Get the MSDS (material safety data sheet) sheet to find out what the other 2% is. You can probably get the MSDS on-line or just call the company and they have to give it to you.

 

[dagmar88]

Just make sure theres no aluminum in it :wink:

 

[ChrissyB]

I'm pretty sure if the other 2% it would have reacted horribly when she mixed it with the water. Remember that link that someone posted once when the whole bottle exploded and the lye water turned bluish grey?
Does your lye all dissolve and the water goes through a slightly cloudy stage but then turns clear? You should be fine.
I think if you questioned the manufacturer to ask what the other 2% is they would just say it is fillers or something like that, I think to label it as 100% they have to get it certified independently again, so to be safe they label it 98% when in actual fact it is 100%. \
Hay Dagmar, good to see you back, haven't seen you on here for a while. Hope you are ok.

 

[dagmar88]

hey Chrissy
Thank you, had a whooole lot to do, but glad to be back

 

[Egzandra]

Thanks everyone for your reassuring comments, yes the lye does go clear when it has dissolved. I'll try to get the MSDS report though and see what it says. Looking forward to making my next batch of soap. Have got the oils and fats lined up to make a couple of nice big batches. When I can get a morning to myself.......