Tetrasodium EDTA separated....

[julie j]

Hi,
I made several batches of soap about 1 1/2 years ago, and have not touched my supplies since then. I have just started to make soap again, and noticed that my EDTA that I had mixed with water has settled and tiny bits and white flakes rise from the bottom when I shake it. I thought perhaps I just need to shake it well, but although some seems to have mixed in, there are still tons of little white specks and flakes. Is this still usable? Should I put it into a container and blend it to mix, or just throw it out?
Thanks for any help...

 

[DeeAnna]

I personally would discard it and make a fresh solution for use in your soap.

 

[Todd Ziegler]

Once again @DeeAnna has the best advice, go with what she says and you won't make a mistake.

 

[julie j]

I personally would discard it and make a fresh solution for use in your soap.

Thanks, I suppose that is best....now to order some new EDTA....

 

[Susie]

I tend to soap now in 15 lb spurts due to health/life/time limitations as that is how much soap I can make in one go as determined by the number and sizes of molds I have. So I masterbatch all my water based/non-lye ingredients (simple syrup, EDTA, etc) in a "just enough" quantity for that spurt. That way, I can have everything ready to go when I am soaping, but not waste ingredients when I am on a hiatus. Then I place all dry ingredients in a 5 gallon bucket with a container (the bucket kind, not the bag) of Damp Rid in the center and seal the big bucket with a gamma lid. This preserves my NaOH, KOH, and EDTA for a very long time. I hate having to wait for ingredients to ship to me when I can otherwise be soaping.

 

[DeeAnna]

I make enough of a solution of 50% EDTA and distilled water to last roughly a year. I made my last batch in September, 2020; in other words, about 10 months ago. I checked it today and don't see any white flakes or other obvious changes -- the liquid remaining is still a water-clear liquid. The solution is stored in an 8 ounce container (250 mL) that is currently about three-quarters empty, so if the EDTA was going to react with air, it certainly has had the opportunity. I keep it in a dark, closed cupboard in the living spaces in my house, so it's not exposed to light or unusual temperatures however.

I've been making this masterbatched EDTA solution as needed for a number of years now, and I can't say I've ever seen any obvious changes over time -- it seems to be pretty stable stuff. That's why I would be leery about using an EDTA solution that looks different, but not so much that it would be harmful, but that it would be less effective.

 

[julie j]

I tend to soap now in 15 lb spurts due to health/life/time limitations as that is how much soap I can make in one go as determined by the number and sizes of molds I have. So I masterbatch all my water based/non-lye ingredients (simple syrup, EDTA, etc) in a "just enough" quantity for that spurt. That way, I can have everything ready to go when I am soaping, but not waste ingredients when I am on a hiatus. Then I place all dry ingredients in a 5 gallon bucket with a container (the bucket kind, not the bag) of Damp Rid in the center and seal the big bucket with a gamma lid. This preserves my NaOH, KOH, and EDTA for a very long time. I hate having to wait for ingredients to ship to me when I can otherwise be soaping.

Smart! It is disappointing to have to wait for ingredients for sure when you get the "soaping urge". I have made a few batches anyhow, while I wait for mine....now to see how they turn out! I think I "undercooked" my castille soap, cut the next batch a little early, leaving smears on the cut lines....and my 3rd batch I will wait longer to cut! lol

 

[julie j]

I make enough of a solution of 50% EDTA and distilled water to last roughly a year. I made my last batch in September, 2020; in other words, about 10 months ago. I checked it today and don't see any white flakes or other obvious changes -- the liquid remaining is still a water-clear liquid. The solution is stored in an 8 ounce container (250 mL) that is currently about three-quarters empty, so if the EDTA was going to react with air, it certainly has had the opportunity. I keep it in a dark, closed cupboard in the living spaces in my house, so it's not exposed to light or unusual temperatures however.

I've been making this masterbatched EDTA solution as needed for a number of years now, and I can't say I've ever seen any obvious changes over time -- it seems to be pretty stable stuff. That's why I would be leery about using an EDTA solution that looks different, but not so much that it would be harmful, but that it would be less effective.

Thanks! That is good to know. I used reverse osmosis water, not distilled...wonder if that would make a difference?

 

[DeeAnna]

Hard to say, Julie. If you're using a home RO unit, it probably doesn't perform to the same standards as a lab RO unit. That might make a difference. but I don't know that for sure.