My lye storage setup

[DeeAnna]

Dry NaOH or dry KOH can be safely stored in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) containers.

Never, never, never store lye solution (liquid) in PET containers, however. This is a Very Bad Idea.

 

[SoapySuds]

@SoapySuds May I clarify - that link took me to nice clear containers with black lids that are made of PET. Can NaOH be safely stored in PET? I mean before mixing with H2O (I masterbatch)

Since PET is plastic, and recycled plastic, yes.

Here's a link referencing storage of NaOH: https://chemistry.stackexchange.com...oxide-hydrochloric-acid-hydrogen-peroxide-and

If you don't feel comfortable storing it in plastic PET containers, you can find another source for plastic containers that are not made from recycled plastic but brand new plastic, such as this place:

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=750&parentcatid=469

Nice USA made plastic bottles.

Or you can find cheaper plastic bottles from places like this:

https://www.aaronpackaging.com/plastic/bottles/wide-mouth

Or you can google the words "wholesale 32 oz containers" and it will bring up a ton of sites to look for containers. Plastic, glass (although, you don't want to store lye in glass), silicon, etc.

Do what you feel is right.

 

[Clarice]

@SoapySuds and @DeeAnna thank you both so much

i remember being warned off using PET for the lye solution - and that is why I wanted to clarify for the dry NaOH.

I appreciate your time! I really like the idea of smaller containers corralled in larger one - so that should breakage / spill occur, it is contained..

You guys have all the best ideas!!!!

 

[DeeAnna]

To tattle on myself, I once made the mistake of storing NaOH solution in a PET bottle. Thankfully I was using KC's dry bucket idea at the time, so the PET bottle was contained in a 5 gallon polyethylene bucket. Made cleaning up the mess a little easier.

I have no excuse for this. As an engineer, I know I should have looked up the chemical resistance of PET ... but I just plain didn't. So I "got learned" the hard way on this. Thankfully it was a reasonably safe experience compared to the lye solution leaking all over the floor.

But I get dry NaOH and KOH in PET bottles -- that's no problem.

 

[DWinMadison]

I finally remembered to snap some pics of this. Here ya go.

The containers from the lye guy fit perfect. If you do the buy 5 get one free from him, one has to sit on top of the desiccant container, but the gamma lis will still close with no issues.

View attachment 20280

View attachment 20281

Brilliant!

 

[Clarice]

To tattle on myself, I once made the mistake of storing NaOH solution in a PET bottle. Thankfully I was using KC's dry bucket idea at the time, so the PET bottle was contained in a 5 gallon polyethylene bucket. Made cleaning up the mess a little easier.

makes me think of the "bathtub" episode from Breaking Bad

Now THAT is not a mess I would want to clean up LOL

 

[MGM]

I'm glad this "dead" post was dredged up and put in front of my face! I would never have thought to search the forum for "how should I be storing my lye", 'cause I thought my container was good enough, but now I've got a wealth of info, including videos. Thanks!

 

[Clarice]

@MGM - right? This is so very helpful I learned a TON!

 

[tinybubbles]

oh, I believe I have some work to do....find lids! I never knew this but recently noticed my lye, in a big bucket, is extra clumpy. will this make it harder to dissolve? I am using only goat milk.

 

[KristaY]

No, not harder to dissolve, but it will affect it's strength. The more water it absorbs from the environment, the weaker the solution you'll get. Basically it will increase your SF. I have no idea how to test except to weigh the containers. I use KOH about every 2-3 months so it sits a while between uses. I've gotten into the habit of weighing the container right after I've measured out what I need for the recipe then writing it on the side of the container with a sharpie. I also include the date. When I use it next I put it on my scale prior to use and note if the weight has changed. For me, it never changes. I live in approx 12% humidity year round so it's not much of a problem for me. I never weigh my NaOH as I use it routinely and only end up opening the container about 3 times before it's empty.

 

[tinybubbles]

No, not harder to dissolve, but it will affect it's strength. The more water it absorbs from the environment, the weaker the solution you'll get. Basically it will increase your SF. I have no idea how to test except to weigh the containers. I use KOH about every 2-3 months so it sits a while between uses. I've gotten into the habit of weighing the container right after I've measured out what I need for the recipe then writing it on the side of the container with a sharpie. I also include the date. When I use it next I put it on my scale prior to use and note if the weight has changed. For me, it never changes. I live in approx 12% humidity year round so it's not much of a problem for me. I never weigh my NaOH as I use it routinely and only end up opening the container about 3 times before it's empty.

this is a 50#bucket, first time I've gotten it like this. otherwise it was plastic jars. I think I'll go back to the jars, they were sealed up. I use 15.65oz per batch, so this bucket will be opened a lot. I have just ordered some of those packets for humidity, both for that bucket and my boxes of cured soaps. its way humid here, more so than usual, so I've not had to deal with this before, not like this anyhow. I do not knwo how you southerns handle it!!

 

[Susie]

I use my SDSB (super dry storage bucket).

Keep the lyes in 2 lb containers. Set into a 5 gallon bucket with the non-scoopable kitty litter on the bottom (couple of inches or so). Place Damp Rid plastic container in center (follow directions on package). Seal with gamma lid. I store all my master batches in there also, unless I am making soap really frequently.

Weighing the lye package after use and before next use is the answer to how to know if you lye absorbed moisture. It is the only way to know. And once you know, you can adjust the superfat so that you don't waste any lye.

 

[DeeAnna]

Since I switched to KC's dry bucket setup a few years ago, my NaOH and KOH don't show any clumping or weight gain. I also store other ingredients that need to stay very dry in the same dry buckets (I have two 7-gallon pails for dry storage. That's also been a real plus. I'm very happy with how this works for me.

 

[tinybubbles]

why not in glass? that surprises me! I have some dry stuff ordered. and is there a difference is where you buy lye? or is 100% lye same from every seller? I tried flakes once, and did not like it--seemed to take a year to dissolve, still didn't well and was one of my first batches I might have to toss. In fact, not sure what to do with it?? its a basic (no scent, no color), but geesh I hate wasting my stuff!

thanks so much!
and, is there a forum I should be on with goat milk cp?

 

[DeeAnna]

Strong alkali will etch glass so the glass gets tiny weak spots and can shatter unexpectedly. This goes for pyrex type glass as well as regular glass.

Also, etching or not, if you drop a glass container of lye solution or soap batter, you get to deal with cleaning up the lye or batter AND cleaning up the broken glass. Not to mention that any cut you might get from the shards will also be contaminated with lye or batter.

 

[tinybubbles]

Strong alkali will etch glass so the glass gets tiny weak spots and can shatter unexpectedly. This goes for pyrex type glass as well as regular glass.

Also, etching or not, if you drop a glass container of lye solution or soap batter, you get to deal with cleaning up the lye or batter AND cleaning up the broken glass. Not to mention that any cut you might get from the shards will also be contaminated with lye or batter.

oooh. so, my using a large pyrex mixing bowl isn't so good for milk/lye mixing? ugh. so plastic is better? ugh! all my life I avoid plastic! I've got so much to learn