Jayne
Member
No idea how to make it work but I love the idea of incorporating snake skin. So unique. Unique is good.
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SoapEh
Well-Known Member
I think this is interesting and has definite possibilities. There are a lot of adventuresome people out there, and a lot who adore snakes and reptiles. Plus, it's giving the creative part of your brain a workout!
I think I'd get out my soapy log book and start experimenting with tiny batches. Grind some skin up fine and see if it will dissolve like silk, then see how it behaves in soap. Get some soft molding silicone and a little piece of skin, see if you can get an impression. If not, start thinking about ways to use the skin as a decorative element or exfoliant, dissolve it into soap batches, or research another way to make an impression.
If you do end up doing something snake related I would love to see it. I know there are so many reptile groups out there trying to save rare species of snakes, turtles, and lizards that would love something novel like this that could draw attention to their cause.
Have fun, do science, let us know how it goes!
I think I'd get out my soapy log book and start experimenting with tiny batches. Grind some skin up fine and see if it will dissolve like silk, then see how it behaves in soap. Get some soft molding silicone and a little piece of skin, see if you can get an impression. If not, start thinking about ways to use the skin as a decorative element or exfoliant, dissolve it into soap batches, or research another way to make an impression.
If you do end up doing something snake related I would love to see it. I know there are so many reptile groups out there trying to save rare species of snakes, turtles, and lizards that would love something novel like this that could draw attention to their cause.
Have fun, do science, let us know how it goes!
SunRiseArts
Well-Known Member
Well, I am ok with the mat, but skin in the soap. Nope, can't do either ....
In Texas, we kill snakes.
In Texas, we kill snakes.
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This is just the shed, right? I wouldn’t think it would be too hard to get it dissolved in lye. They almost fall apart with just hot water. That said, I won’t be in line to try it anymore than I would stand in line to try fingernail soap.
Adding snake skin to soap is similar to using tussah silk or silk cocoons.
Snake Skin Soap (Spoiler Alert, if you don't like snakes, best not to look; but it is lovely soap.)
http://wikitalks.com/2013/01/how-to-make-soap-from-snake-skin/
So the article mentions that snake skin + lye can lead to the release of gaseous hydrogen sulfides. I can't find any info on the chemical composition of snake skin to verify this, but hydrogen sulfide is very scary stuff and in enclosed spaces it can cause sudden death by affecting the respiratory center of the brain. It's such a rare toxicity it's hard to find more information about its presentation but sudden death and heart attacks are both possible.
I'm going to see if I can find any more info on this.
ETA: okay, I finally found a paper that may support this:
https://books.google.com/books?id=dVefDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA39&lpg=PA39&dq=sulfide+snake+skin&source=bl&ots=OtGOy4QbSJ&sig=1lVK0zRZkUGDhRncAJ5MmENocEM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiNwZK85_TYAhUGPN8KHdjxDh8Q6AEIZjAL#v=onepage&q=sulfide%20snake%20skin&f=false
Chemistry people, help me out! There are a few different amino acids that have sulfur groups in them that could create hydrogen sulfides when combined with NaoH (or by any other deamination process). They include methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, and taurine. Snake skin has cysteine which means mixing it with lye would release hydrogen sulfides.
Interestingly, cysteine is also found in high quantities in keratin including human hair. That's why you get that funny smell when you burn it. So I would reccomend adequate ventilation when using human hair or a horse hoof in future soaping endeavors. :think:
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SunRiseArts
Well-Known Member
OMG elurah that is scary! Thank you for posting!
Yes, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is dangerous and you don't want to breathe much. But the rotten egg whiff from overcooked eggs or ... ahem ... from gaseous body emanations also contains some H2S. So a whiff or two is not going to do harm, but it is important to limit your exposure to just that whiff or two.
The real danger comes when longer exposure to the H2S overwhelms your nose so you can't smell it anymore.
That was a real problem when I worked in an industrial wastewater treatment plant and people sometimes had to go into closed tanks where dangerous gases like this could build up to lethal levels.
It's also part of the reason why people get so sick when toxic sewer gases accidentally build up in a building and people don't get out to fresh air.
Good ventilation is the key. If you smell H2S, do something about it. Your nose will warn you at first, but will not be able to continue alerting you to the risk.
Most people don't realize that mixing NaOH and some sugars can release carbon monoxide gas, another toxic gas. How many soapers routinely add sugars to their soap and think nothing of it? I don't usually say much about it, because the risk of harm is low.
I'm not trying to wave off your concerns, but if I wanted to digest snake skin with NaOH, I would, but I'd do it with a good dose of common sense and very good ventilation. Maybe even work outdoors?
The real danger comes when longer exposure to the H2S overwhelms your nose so you can't smell it anymore.
That was a real problem when I worked in an industrial wastewater treatment plant and people sometimes had to go into closed tanks where dangerous gases like this could build up to lethal levels.
It's also part of the reason why people get so sick when toxic sewer gases accidentally build up in a building and people don't get out to fresh air.
Good ventilation is the key. If you smell H2S, do something about it. Your nose will warn you at first, but will not be able to continue alerting you to the risk.
Most people don't realize that mixing NaOH and some sugars can release carbon monoxide gas, another toxic gas. How many soapers routinely add sugars to their soap and think nothing of it? I don't usually say much about it, because the risk of harm is low.
I'm not trying to wave off your concerns, but if I wanted to digest snake skin with NaOH, I would, but I'd do it with a good dose of common sense and very good ventilation. Maybe even work outdoors?
A
amd
After work tonight I am going to Menard's to look for the naptha and silicone to work on the impression. I think the shed will be durable enough for the process, it's a very complete shed complete with eye caps and I can fold it without it cracking or breaking. I think to get the texture I want it will be a two step process, one to make an impression of the skin and the second to make an inverted impression (from the first impression). I will probably do the silicone process in Chris' shop. He has a table top paint booth, so I'll be able to run the exhaust while I'm working. My soap space is 90 sq feet and only has one tiny window, so I don't trust that I will get enough ventilation for stronger chemical fumes.
Still contemplating the addition of the snake skin into the soap. I'm leaning more towards "no" the longer I think on it. Making the impression and designing a soap may be enough of a challenge to keep me entertained - although my other snake owning friend thinks it would be a cool soap. I'll post pictures through the weekend as the process evolves.
Still contemplating the addition of the snake skin into the soap. I'm leaning more towards "no" the longer I think on it. Making the impression and designing a soap may be enough of a challenge to keep me entertained - although my other snake owning friend thinks it would be a cool soap. I'll post pictures through the weekend as the process evolves.
jcandleattic
Well-Known Member
Personally I am of the mind - just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should do it.
I personally would never use a soap if I knew it had snake skin or any other type of shed skin in it. It's been shed for a reason, to me that means it's waste. The ICK factor for me is powerfully overwhelming when I think of it.
I personally would never use a soap if I knew it had snake skin or any other type of shed skin in it. It's been shed for a reason, to me that means it's waste. The ICK factor for me is powerfully overwhelming when I think of it.
If you need a Guinea Pig to try the one with snake skin in it I'll gladly Volunteer. I'd even pay the shipping to get it sent to me.
With the impression mat thing unless it was from a Hognose or something that has defined scales I don't think it would work too well.
I have a Hognose & 4 other Snakes. If you need more shed feel free to let me know and I'll start saving it for you.
Excellent point, Deanna! I haven't had to study chemistry for so long, and I think the snake skin example made me realize the significance of putting anything other than oils with sodium hydroxide. A few sulfur groups here, and a touch of nitrogen groups there, and all of sudden I am creating some of the most medically significant noxious inhalants, albeit in small quantities. It's bonefied chemistry!
I agree the risk is low with moderation.
SunRiseArts
Well-Known Member
NsMar42111
Well-Known Member
Glad to see you went with the impression idea because urm....I have a snake and trust me, the skin is going to have fecal matter on it somewhere. Unless your friend knew the snake was going to shed within that day and gave it a disenfectant bath, and then bleached the tank, and then the snake never went into its water dish and never defecated, there is poop somewhere on that shed. Just sayin' ..... don't put it in the soap! :silent:
I’ve made a Couple of batches using snake skin in my lye water. Most of it dissolves in the lye, and I pour it through a strainer to get the solids out. It isn’t really any wierder to me than using silk, which comes from worms. My snake skin soaps have a smooth silky feeling. The light green batch that I just posted is a snake skin soap.
It’s very easy to see if there is any of that on the skin. I simply tear that portion off and discard it.
Edited for spelling.
A
amd
ETA: to clarify, the bits that remain are on top of the soap, not in the soap. I poured the lye solution through a strainer when adding it to the oils.
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Seawolfe, I did LOL. I posted about that one time and for some it is perfectly natural.
How did I miss this post? Hilarity
The soap looks awesome!
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I made mommy soap for my niece a few years ago, while it was something I said I would never do she talked me into it, and it made beautiful soap. It was only made for her. Snake skin still grosses me out but I am a lizzy lover and hate snakes.
