We have discussed this in previous blogs, but if you’re familiar with soapmaking, you know lye is an essential ingredient. Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is a strong alkaline substance that helps create the chemical reaction necessary for saponification, the process that turns oils and fats into soap. Despite its popularity in soap making, lye can be intimidating for beginners and may raise some questions. In this blog, we’ll cover frequently asked questions about lye and why it’s safe and beneficial to use in soaps.
What is lye, and how is it used in soap making?
As we mentioned, lye is a strong alkaline substance used in soapmaking to create the chemical reaction necessary for saponification. When lye is mixed with water and oils/fats, lye causes a chemical reaction called saponification, which makes soap. During this reaction, lye breaks down the oils and fats into their component parts, which then react with the lye to create soap.
Is lye dangerous?
Lye is a caustic substance and can be dangerous if not handled properly. When working with lye, wearing protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and a mask to avoid direct contact with the skin or eyes is essential. Always keep lye out of reach of children and pets, and avoid inhaling fumes when working with it. However, when used correctly, lye is safe to use in soap making.
Soaps made with lye are safe to use on the skin once they have been properly cured. During the soapmaking process, all of the lye is used up, ensuring no leftover chemicals or harmful substances are in the finished product.
Is there a substitute for lye in soap making?
There are alternatives to lye in soap making, such as melt-and-pour soap bases, but they don’t offer the same level of customization and control as using lye to create soap from scratch. When making soap from scratch, lye is necessary to complete the chemical reaction that turns oils and fats into soap.
Is lye used in other types of products?
Yes, lye is used in many other products besides soaps. It is used in the production of paper, textiles, and detergents. It is also used in the food industry to make olives, cocoa, and pretzels. In addition, lye is used in biodiesel manufacturing, as a pH regulator in water treatment plants, and as a cleaning agent for household drains and ovens. While lye can be dangerous if not handled properly, it is vital in many industries and products.
Why is lye great to use in soaps?
Lye is great to use in soaps because it’s a powerful and effective ingredient that creates a chemical reaction necessary for saponification. It allows soap makers to customize their recipes and create unique blends of oils and fats to make a soap that meets their specific needs. Lye also helps create a hard and long-lasting bar of soap, making it a cost-effective ingredient in soap making.
We use lye in our soaps because it is necessary for saponification, but it also helps create hard, long-lasting bars of soap. Using lye in our soaps gives us the flexibility to make our soaps custom to fit our needs. That means using our choice of all-natural, grass-fed, or finished tallow and olive oil to make high-quality bars of tallow soap. While lye can be intimidating for beginners, with proper safety precautions, it is safe to use and is an essential ingredient in creating high-quality, handmade soap.