Lye solution and sunlight

[lenarenee]

Does sunlight affect lye? My soap making was postponed this week and for safety reasons put the lye solution outside on the potting bench. It's in a large #5 plastic pitcher, with plastic wrap on top and was exposed to some sunlight during the day. Wondering if I need to make some fresh solution.

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

Does sunlight affect lye? My soap making was postponed this week and for safety reasons put the lye solution outside on the potting bench. It's in a large #5 plastic pitcher, with plastic wrap on top and was exposed to some sunlight during the day. Wondering if I need to make some fresh solution.

My answer is only a guess' regarding the sun destroying the Lye dunno. But I'd venture to say if your plastic cover wasn't good and tight the lye water would absorb moisture from the air making it weaker which could compromise the outcome of your soap.

 

[lenarenee]

My answer is only a guess' regarding the sun destroying the Lye dunno. But I'd venture to say if your plastic cover wasn't good and tight the lye water would absorb moisture from the air making it weaker which could compromise the outcome of your soap.

It was snug, but not sealed, and it’s been two days. But if it did take on moisture, the lye wouldn’t be weakened, right? I would just have a lower lye concentration…? (I do think it would probably be better just to make fresh)

 

[Catscankim]

Personally i would just make more. Use it for drain cleaner

 

[Marsi]

weigh it

you have the original weights of NaOH and the water you used
so you can compare the two and find out whether your solution has taken on, or lost, water

the reaction with CO2 will show up in carbonate crystals - you can strain those out

 

[earlene]

I believe I would use it as intended. I found nothing by Googling using a couple of different perameters. Unless DeeAnna comes along and has some information to the contrary, I'd probably just go ahead with the soap, as long as the overnight temperatures didn't get cold enough to make a solid crystalized disc in the bottom of the solution. So I would weight it and strain it.

 

[lenarenee]

I went ahead and used the solution. 1) i watched the sun trail and found it wasn't getting any significant amount of sun due to the balcony roof 2) I used true Saran which is quite thick used 2 layers of it, and 3) there was no lint or other issues...it looked as fresh as the day it was made. Soap turned out fine. Thanks everyone!