Distilled water...

[peteyfoozer]

I keep seeing distilled water in recipes...we live on a ranch 110 miles from town, and our water comes straight out of a spring...is this ok to use for soaping, or do I have to buy water? :?:

 

[bodybym]

You can always try it with a small batch and see if you like the results. I use tap water because we have great drinking water right out of the tap - but some people don't.

 

[donniej]

People have been making soap for 3,000 years or more... but how long has distilled water been around?

I think you see my point 8)

 

[peteyfoozer]

haha! thanx!

 

[soapsmurf]

Would you happen to know if your spring water is high in minerals? The issue with undistilled water is the unknown mineral content. High mineral content can sometimes react with the lye to interfere with saponification. Try a small batch first. If that's fine, you should be ok.

 

[peteyfoozer]

how would I find that out?

 

[donniej]

Mix about half a teaspoon of lye with a gallon of distilled water. Add approximately half a pinch of the spice turmeric to a glass of your tap water. The water will turn yellow. Add a drop or two of the lye/water. If it turns purple then your tap water isn't nuetralizing much/any lye.

 

[madpiano]

I use tap water and so far so good. But you really will have to try for yourself. I live in South London and I seem to be fine. Someone in North London cannot use Tap water as she gets DOS with it. It may be the different water we use (different reservoirs), it could be the piping (mainly lead round here, mostly cast Iron over there), or it could be something else.

If you do use tap water, try and find out if the local council uses Chloramine or Chlorine to make the water safe. You can either call the council or ask local tropical fish keepers. Chloramine is a Chlorine Bond that does not evaporate when the water is boiled, left standing or lye is added. Chlorine will just evaporate and is not happy to make bonds with the lye. Chloramine is an ammonia bond and I am not sure if it will react with the lye or not or if it speeds up DOS. On the other hand, London Tap water has been through at least 4 people before it reaches the tap, so I would think that we have plenty of free ammonia here and I had no issues yet. I know, our water is high in Nitrates. Saves me on plant food

 

[peteyfoozer]

I think I will do that, and just give it a try. Nothing is added to our water, its straight out of the spring on the mountain. No well, even. thanks! A little experimentation and we shall see!

 

[madpiano]

I think I will do that, and just give it a try. Nothing is added to our water, its straight out of the spring on the mountain. No well, even. thanks! A little experimentation and we shall see!

Jealous !! You should bottle it and sell it, fresh spring water sells for about £1.50 for a half litre bottle

I wish I could have water that hasn't been recycled already....