subject: Lye Soap Making! (how To Work With This Crucial Ingredient)! [print this page] Many people are afraid of using lye when it comes to the soap making process, even though there are different processes (hot or cold), you need to make your that the proper precautions are in place, lye is caustic, dangerous and will burn you if you aren't safe.....however some of the healthiest and most incredible soap you'll ever try will be with lye so dont be afraid to try it.
Although lye soap making is a simple enough process, it does add a few days to your soap making procedure, however, on the other hand it allows you to make several batches at any one time. Lye is an ingredient commonly used, cloth, paper and detergents are made from it. strangely enough, lye has a chemical reaction with the oils in soap making and the lye disapears, producing a different substance.....in this case, Soap.
Lye is found in all soaps. You can not make soap without the vital ingredient, lye. There are different processes of soap making, but somewhere along the line, lye has been used. To help you with lye soap making, here are 3 useful tips:
#1 Keep your lye stored carefully, lye absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide very easily so ensure that it is kept in an airtight container.
#2 Lye also dissolves easily in water, water and lye together have a chemical reaction and it causes the water to heat up rapidly, always ensure you are wearing an apron, rubber gloves and safety goggles to avoid any burns or spills.
#3 Only use stainless steel, plastic, ceramic or glass containers and utensils when working with lye. Other metal containers often react with the lye, which will cause your soap mixture to be damaged. (Make sure your pots are 100% stainless steel, some pots have linings on underneath them that are a different metal).
Its relatively easy to start lye soap making, and to get started you really only need a few ingredients, some easily found utensils, good directions and maybe a recipe or two to get you started. Having a person teach you how to make your soap is an important step to the success of your soap making. It will save your pocket and your time.
with all that said, it is incredible that this very chemical will help you to produce the most amazing soap! Just remember though to follow the instructions, follow the recipe and show it the proper respect and your lye soap making will be a true success.
