lye

[amymarieski]

Can I use the Drano lye product I found at Home Depot? Is it pure enough, or do I need to order it online?

Thanks!

Amy in KY

 

[bigfinger76]

No!
Drano is not pure lye.
I've heard that Lowe's sells a pure lye product, but I'm not sure of the name or its purity.

 

[starrfeef]

I am, it is called Roebick's Crystal Drain Opener and the label says 100% lye in a little oval on the front....Roebicks does make a couple of other drain products...so make SURE you have the one that says 100% lye. I have been using it for the last couple of months with no problems and great soap!!

 

[starrfeef]

Oh and definatley heed what BigFinger76 said!! Drano is no good for soap making!!...p.s. @BF76...I was born in 76

 

[kysoapnstuff]

I wouldn't chance it. Most of the drano products contain other chemicals. I order my lye from essential depot, they cater to the soap makers and their products are good and the shipping is fast. If you live near Bowling Green or Morgantown area I'd give you a bottle just to help get you started....I usually stock up when they have a sale.

 

[falldowngobump]

I've used the Roebics from Lowes--it's rather pricey. It is 100% sodium hydroxide--I've even pulled up the MSDS sheet. It works very nicely. Please ALWAYS pull up the MSDS about a product in question--Drain cleaners are not always equal--many of them contain all sorts of awful things that may be harmful.

 

[carebear]

Sadly, an MSDS isn't required to have a complete ingredient list. So if it isn't on the label, contact the manufacturer.

An MSDS is a safety document for industrial use and is not a good gauge of safety (have you seen an MSDS for salt? Heck sugar is an irritant and water used to clean up spills needs to be handled carefully according to an MSDS I was just looking at http://www.axxousa.com/msds/msdsp/sugar_p.html ) or of ingredients.

 

[bigfinger76]

Oh and definatley heed what BigFinger76 said!! Drano is no good for soap making!!...p.s. @BF76...I was born in 76

As was I...

 

[HeartToHeart]

Menards has a nice 100% lye. "Rooto" ... Small 1pound (16oz) containers @ $3.76 each... 1/3 of the price than at my local Hardware Hank! Just picked up 2 containers an hour ago!