New and Terrified of Sodium Hydroxide

[Kenaslan]

I would keep away from a kitchen sink. I wash my veggies (yuck) only kidding, in my sink. If you can, get a flask, not a beaker, to mix in. A flask has angled sides with a small top and large bottom that can be plugged with a stopper to move. It is also easy to carry if you have small hands because the top is only an inch or two across. You can get a 1ml flask at any wine/beer making store for $10.

 

[AmyW]

I would keep away from a kitchen sink. I wash my veggies (yuck) only kidding, in my sink. If you can, get a flask, not a beaker, to mix in. A flask has angled sides with a small top and large bottom that can be plugged with a stopper to move. It is also easy to carry if you have small hands because the top is only an inch or two across. You can get a 1ml flask at any wine/beer making store for $10.

I looked up these 1ml flasks on the web and I'm not sure how you're supposed to get lye inside the little top without spilling or needing a funnel... this is the last thing I'd use... very unnecessary expense as well. I use a small bucket that used to have lard in it.

Over complicating things doesn't help a newbie out. The average hobby soap maker isn't going to use anything fancy.

And I have yet to spill a drop IN the sink. If I did, a rag + soap = clean sink. Water washes it down quite well.

 

[Kenaslan]

Let me rephrase that, my WIFE washes the veggies in the sink, and if I ever want again.....well, you get the picture

 

[carebear]

I would keep away from a kitchen sink. I wash my veggies (yuck) only kidding, in my sink. If you can, get a flask, not a beaker, to mix in. A flask has angled sides with a small top and large bottom that can be plugged with a stopper to move. It is also easy to carry if you have small hands because the top is only an inch or two across. You can get a 1ml flask at any wine/beer making store for $10.

Lye is more water soluble than most things. It leaves no residue when washed away. Dish detergent is highly caustic, and some contain NaOH.

Working in the sink gives a level of safety as spills are contained and easily dealt with. I'd rather soap than eat veggies any day, but they aren't necessarily incompatible.

 

[Deda]

Womens work and all that. Pesky veggies.

 

[Kenaslan]

I have one of those plastic mop sinks I got from Lowels both outside and in the basement. I am 100% debt free including no mortgage, so I have lots of play money and I forgot most people are not debt free.

 

[Deda]

Ken. You're an *******. And a troll.

 

[AmyW]

Troll....

That (he's trolling) completely went over my head *sigh* So dense sometimes....

Why do people troll soap making forums? I can sort of understand spammers but trolling any craft forum is super weird. Like the ex left them for a soaper so they have to get back at all soapers or something.

Sig edit made me spit iced coffee everywhere....

 

[Deda]

I don't know what your talking about.

 

[Hazel]

I'm brand new to soap making and really want to try making my own soap but I am terrified :shock: of sodium hydroxide. I got a book called the soap makers companion and have read up on the process but am still hesitant.

How do you set-up? where do you do it? and how do you clean up? How do you know that particals of this sodium hydroxide aren't on your floor waiting for moisture? how do you store your materials?

I'm full of questions...

tgwhitney101 -

I had the same fear of lye but just wear safety gear and use common sense. It's not as scary as some people are making it out.

I use a tall plastic pitcher and set it in my sink. I slowly pour the lye in while mixing with a long handled plastic spoon. I stand back a little so I don't inhale any of the fumes. The fumes are minimal and dissipate very rapidly. I haven't had any problems.

However, I only make small batches so I'm not mixing a large amount of lye. If I made larger batches like some of the people on this forum, I would use more gear and precautions like fans/venting.

I also have a paper towel dampened with vinegar near me - just in case. There's only been one time where some beads from the container scattered across the scales. (Darn static electricity!). I picked up the paper towel and wiped it off the scales. No problem.

You could lay newspaper down on your counter if you want to "catch" any possiblly roaming beads. Someone mentioned a towel which is a better idea.

I buy lye in 2 lb containers and leave them in the containers. I keep them in a box which I store in small closet. I don't have to worry about keeping it locked up because there isn't any children to worry about getting into it.

After you're done, you can take the paper towel with vinegar and wipe it over the counter and around on the floor if you want. But if some lye gets spilled, you're going to see it because your eyes will be focused on the bottle as you pour it out. You're not going to have lye scattered around and not be unaware of it.

 

[Soapsugoii]

The first batch is always the hardest. Second only to your first ruined batch.

Lol, those were one in the same for me!

Yea, Lye can be a bit intimidating but seriously, don't sweat it. After you realize it's not going to jump out of the bowl and bite you you'll be fine. Just give it a whirl

Good luck! And post some pics for us

 

[panzerakc]

After you realize it's not going to jump out of the bowl and bite you you'll be fine. Just give it a whirl

Good luck! And post some pics for us

No, lye will not, does not, cannot, leap from its container and chase you around like a mad dog. So don't worry about that.

Secondly, if you cook with a hot stove and sharp knives, drive a multi-ton vehicle in traffic with other multi-ton vehicles, or even walk outside your house, you can learn to use lye safely.

The only really serious warning I'd give you is that the soapmaking process is BLOODY ADDICTIVE! (You have been warned! )

Oh, and I second the request for pictures.

Have fun!

Anita

 

[BakingNana]

I have a deep sink in my laundry room. I put the scale in the bottom of the sink and weigh the lye, then the water, then mix -- still in the sink. If any beads escape, they're in the sink. If I have to carry the lye pitcher (cheapie plastic from Wally-World) to another area, I cover it with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band before I carry it around. I'm a klutz sometimes and I figure this prevents any little sloshing it might do. Just use common sense, don't let your guard down, and you'll be fine. I wanna see pictures, too!!

The fabric softener sheets really do work and I wipe down the container I'm pouring lye beads into. I normally wipe the top of the container the lye came in, but darn if AAA Chem. didn't use a different container last time I bought lye from them. It's a round, shallow hard plastic jar and is filled to the top with beads, instead of the tall bottle they used to use. Can't wipe it very well. (It's the little things that tick me off!)

 

[debbism]

AAA chemicals seem to change their jars/bottles each time I order. First, it was the tall narrow mouth bottle, then the wide squat containers, then back to the tall bottles and so on..... Grrrr....annoys me too. I just ordered from ingredientstodiefor.com and we'll see what kind of containers they use.

 

[BakingNana]

AAA chemicals seem to change their jars/bottles each time I order. First, it was the tall narrow mouth bottle, then the wide squat containers, then back to the tall bottles and so on..... Grrrr....annoys me too. I just ordered from ingredientstodiefor.com and we'll see what kind of containers they use.

Hey...thanks for posting this. This supplier is new to me, and the price looks pretty good.

 

[busymakinsoap!]

I've had quite a few lye burns - I confess to being a being a bit slap happy at the beginning. For me though, it wasnt the lye solution, but the raw soap.

Raw soap on spatular handles plus the friction and heat from your hands = disaster - trust me I know. the same can be said for piping bags (yep I know that one too).

My advice would be to be extra careful throughout the WHOLE soapmaking process and ALWAYS wear gloves.

However I've had up to 5 burns on my hands at one time, and I lost my finger prints for a while (lol) but they did come back!- and I'm still alive to tell the tale :wink:

 

[IrishLass]

No, lye will not, does not, cannot, leap from its container and chase you around like a mad dog. So don't worry about that.

I don't mean to come off as contradictatory (or a scaremonger) since I do realize that some have not ever had the above happen, especially if they use the flaked lye as opposed to the beaded lye, but for safety sake I though it necessary to add a comment regarding the above statement so that proper precautions can be applied to avoid any potential mishaps. I can't comment on the mad dog part :wink: , but lye beads can indeed jump out of the container depending on how how much static is present. I've seen it happen firsthand and I've read enough from others who have had it happen to them. However- it hasn't happened to me personally ever since I started wiping my lye container down with a fabric softener sheet (it really does work!).

Secondly, if you cook with a hot stove and sharp knives, drive a multi-ton vehicle in traffic with other multi-ton vehicles, or even walk outside your house, you can learn to use lye safely.

I agree with the above statement wholeheartedly. I would probably also add that if you know how to protect yourself when frying bacon, you'll be perfectly fine working with lye.

.....the soapmaking process is BLOODY ADDICTIVE! (You have been warned! )

Anita

I agree wholeheartedly with the above statement, too! Once that first soap comes out of the mold, you'll be smitten for sure.


IrishLass

 

[Lynnz]

I have a deep sink in my laundry room. I put the scale in the bottom of the sink and weigh the lye, then the water, then mix -- still in the sink.

What a great idea............I have always measured on a workbench but really like this idea thanks muchly bakingNana :0)

 

[Guest]

You are very lucky. You can always tell someone that is use to chemicals. They wash their hands BEFORE using the bathroom. There are certain places that hurt more than others.

Ha, I do that, and I never knew why, lol! I am in computational now, but back in the day did synthetic and analytical/materials work in a lab and was always handling chemicals. Maybe I unknowlingly picket up this habit because it has carried over and I still do it today.

Anyway, to the OP - just remember to work in a vented area (I use my range hood to suck up air while I am mixing the lye and for about 10 min after), wear gloves, and ALWAYS lye mixes into water not the other way around. Also always mix in metal or glass, because the caustic nature of the lye will "eat through" plastic

 

[Hazel]

Anyway, to the OP - just remember to work in a vented area (I use my range hood to suck up air while I am mixing the lye and for about 10 min after), wear gloves, and ALWAYS lye mixes into water not the other way around. Also always mix in metal or glass, because the caustic nature of the lye will "eat through" plastic

I use plastic. I read a post a long time ago where a member was using a glass container and the heat caused it to crack. Luckily, she had it sitting in the sink so she wasn't hurt.