Eye Protection -

[jcandleattic]

Why do some soapers feel that it is okay to go without this necessity? That is one thing I will never understand in this industry. Maybe it's just me, but my eyes are VERY important to me and when I see youtube soaping videos with practiced, professional soapers showing a how-to soapmaking video without it I just cringe...

I can almost understand why others don't use other precautions, like gloves, aprons, etc... I don't wear an apron and sometimes go without gloves because my gloves can be more of a hindrence (aka - more dangerous for ME) but most of the time I do wear them, and would NEVER suggest not wearing them if I was teaching/showing someone how to soap.

But eye protection??? That is an absolute 100% MUST for me and IMO should be for every soaper out there - whether they have been soaping for 1 day or 10+ years...

Anyway, this is my rant for the day.
I have just run across too many vids that the soaper has nothing - not even eyeglasses.
I just don't understand it.

Okay, carry on...

 

[IrishLass]

I'm with you. My eyes are way too important to not use goggles. I had a retinal tear once (not soaping related) and had to have laser surgery to repair it, i.e. spot-weld all around the tear to prevent it from spreading, and it terrified me to think my vision could be lost. I spent many a sleepless night worrying over it. Thankfully, the surgery was successful and all is well, but due to the fearful experience I went through, it always gives me serious pause whenever I see someone soaping without goggles. Especially since one can never predict when a drop of lye or raw soap will splash up for whatever freaky reason and hit you. I've had that happen before and was very thankful I had my goggles on.

IrishLass

 

[jcandleattic]

Especially since one can never predict when a drop of lye or raw soap will splash up for whatever freaky reason and hit you. I've had that happen before and was very thankful I had my goggles on.

IrishLass

I know what you mean...
One time I was soaping in my kitchen and I have vases and knick-knacks on the cupboards above my counters. Well, anyway, I had just reached emulsification when there was an explosion down the street and one of the vases fell into my soap pot and splashed raw soap up onto my face, hair, GOGGLES (would have been my eyes if not for them) and front of my shirt. I quickly but calmly went to my bathroom, got in the shower (clothed) and started rinsing off and shedding clothes at the same time.
I really believe had I not had my goggles I very well would have had serious problems. As it was, I did have lye burns on my lips, cheek and forehead, but thank god nothing too serious. After about a week or so the redness/soreness faded and I have no scarring, but it was scary as f*ck...
This happened about 6 years ago...
Not only because of that but just the fact that it's SAFE, I will always wear eye protection.
Accidents happen. Nobody would purposely splash lye or raw soap into their eyes... That's why they are called accidents.
You just never know what's going to happen...

I implore everyone to be SAFE rather than LUCKY.


(okay, stepping off my soap-box)

 

[xyxoxy]

I could not agree more.

I'll be the first to admit that I occasionally soap without shoes or long sleeves etc. And sometimes I may only use one glove to grab the things that might get lye or raw soap on them. I've been splashed and survived. But I don't even begin pulling my ingredients out until I have my goggles on. They are just such a basic part of my routine that occasionally I have discovered myself still wearing them for a while after I've finished (they are very comfy and light).

And don't even get me started on some of those YouTube videos. It's so funny how some people make one batch and suddenly they think they are soap professors. These are likely the same people who come here asking how much to charge for a bar of soap from their first batch.

The ones that get to me most are when children and pets are running around in the background with an open container of lye on the table.

(OK that's MY rant for the day)

 

[Lady Scrubbins]

Eye protection is absolutely MANDATORY.

Whenever there is lye present, including splash-able raw soap (and including the dirty soapy pot in the sink), I use a full-face shield, tucked close to my chin.

They are cheap, and provide protection for your whole face. I use it instead of goggles because I wear glasses, and have never found a pair of goggles that didn't cause them to fog up or press them against my face uncomfortably.

Eye protection is absolutely MANDATORY.

 

[AmyW]

The ones that get to me most are when children and pets are running around in the background with an open container of lye on the table.

I've discussed my reasons for protection (or lack of it) so I won't go there again, but THIS^ would make me lose my *$@! at the poster of the video. I'd probably contact youtube and see if it could be removed. NO ANIMALS OR KIDS IN THE SOAP AREA/ROOM.

 

[marthakrusty]

On my first day of soaping I was gathering up all my safety equipment and couldn't find any goggles so I pondered for a while and thought about my motorcycle helmet. Full face shield and in case I fell down DOT certified head protection . I couldn't stop laughing cause I was going to make a video of my first experience and what a site that would have been. Finally went out to my husbands work shop, found a full face shield that I had to fix since it flopped around and wouldn't lock into place (thank god for elastics) and I was off to the races (soap making that is)

 

[jillmarie]

I laugh when I make soap because I must look like some sort of spaceman! Goggles, gloves, apron. I also have separate utensils and cookware for soap making. I never use our food stuff. I also only wash up in the utility sink. Is this overboard??

 

[Mellifera]

Another fan of the full face shield here. I wear glasses, so it's easiest.
I skip the apron and just wear old clothes, and I wear gloves. I'm lucky to have a basement kitchen, where I can soap alone and not worry about the nice cabinets and countertop upstairs!

I'm a beekeeper, and though I rarely wear gloves to inspect my hives, and the elastic on my jacket is sprung so they can get up my sleeves, and often I wear sandals... I protect my eyes-- a startled bee can be blown by a gust of wind into your face. I sting on the lip (or up the nose--ouch!) is nothing. A sting in the eye, however...

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I also wear glasses under a full face shield. Not prepared to take risks with my eyes either. :wink:

 

[coral]

Also be aware to wear protective glasses when washing up after making soap.
My partner was helping out with this and ended up getting a splash in his eye.
Did not look good for a couple of weeks.

 

[carebear]

be careful if you are counting on just face shield - unless it's properly fitted and used, stuff can go right up under it. also, if you stand over your lye solution as mixing, the fumes can get trapped under it - you know, where your eyes, nose, and mouth are...

 

[saltydog]

I love these. They are tight, light and very comfy:
http://www.amazon.com/RSVP-Internationa ... 904&sr=8-1

 

[IrishLass]

I love these. They are tight, light and very comfy:
http://www.amazon.com/RSVP-Internationa ... 904&sr=8-1

Those are exactly what I use, too. I love them for soaping and cutting onions (they really do work for keeping the tears at bay). I like your description of them, "....tight, light, and very comfy." Ditto that.


IrishLass

 

[saltydog]

I love these. They are tight, light and very comfy:
http://www.amazon.com/RSVP-Internationa ... 904&sr=8-1

Those are exactly what I use, too. I love them for soaping and cutting onions (they really do work for keeping the tears at bay). I like your description of them, "....tight, light, and very comfy." Ditto that.


IrishLass

Funny, but I think you had posted this link sometime back, and that's why I bought them!
They are great for onion cutting, I use them for that too. I keep them handy, out on my kitchen windowsill and use them all the time.
I think BB carries the same one, but I like Amazon for the free shipping.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

be careful if you are counting on just face shield - unless it's properly fitted and used, stuff can go right up under it. also, if you stand over your lye solution as mixing, the fumes can get trapped under it - you know, where your eyes, nose, and mouth are...

Absolutely.

 

[dOttY]

I got lazy. But just this morning, I got a very scary, rude reminder of why it's paramount to wear eye protection.

I was making some soap, and gently stirring the lye mix when a very tiny splash got me in the face. Thankfully, and very lucky I shut my eyes just in time, and felt the mix hit my eyelashes.

Fortunately, I didn't get hurt, my eyes are safe. But I will forever wear my goggles when soaping from now on.

Lesson learnt the hard way. Shame on me!