Teach Soap

Ok...I really need some expert advice here. I was on my 7th or 8th batch today and decided to switch lye water containers because last time I made a batch- actually the last 2 times I noticed when I went to pour the lye water into my oils, there was a layer of thick lye water stuck to the bottom of my container. I went ahead and used the lye water that had dissoved and then I threw the hardened layer down the sink. The batch turned out fine. So for the next batch - I made sure it was clean and dry and wiped it down with Bounce. This time not only did I get the layer which was actually a bit thicker, there were also little undissolved particles floating on top. I tried stirring a couple times, helped a little but not alot. I grabbed a coffee filter and ran the lye water thru it, then poured it into my oil. So far, it looks fine. My question is: what is causing this and how can I avoid it? I almost think I should use disposable containers from now on, maybe some of the oil is getting in there-since I tend to use the same sponge when I wash everything. Should I not use soap? I ended up using the lye water that was ok and threw the rest in the sink. HELP Thanks!

Don't use a sponge when washing out your lye container, water is sufficent. You don't want to introduce any oils into your lye container nor any soap from your sponge. Are you stirring your lye water til it clears? How old is your lye?

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

My lye is pretty new- I got it about a month ago from AA I think it's called. I have used a sponge and soap, I wont do that anymore- only water. I do stir it what I thought was sufficiently- when I walk away it's still cloudy but always turns clear within minutes while cooling. I've made 7-8 batches, the first 5 were fine. Thank you so much for your help. I'm going to get a new unused container and from now on, rinse with cold water.

The only time I've had a problem like yours was when making goat's milk soap. I use a small stainless steel saucepan for mixing lye. I had the saucepan in a bowl of ice water to prevent the GM from heating too much. I ended up with a layer of undissolved lye firmly stuck to the bottom of the pan. So I know that this set of circumstances causes problems for me. Were you trying to keep the lye cool when this happened?

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Embrace diversity.

This one I can help with! The issue here is mixing and stirring your lye crystals in slowly. What happens is heat fixation. The lye crystals adhere to one another and any surface they are resting on. You can break up the crust and stir and it will eventually dissolve. This happens to me every time I mix my lye water as my soaping area is next to a radiator and it is about 80* F there. It is a quite common occurance with highly exothermic (heat producing) reactions and is nothing to worry about. Just need to break through the crust and mix it back in. I do this with a 35 year old plastic measuring spoon; you can see that it isn't too hard to break up. Coincidentally the ice water will also cause this, I don't remember the name of the process, but it's the same idea. Just need to break the crust and mix it back in! Just be careful not to splash yourselves with lye water!!!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I wasn't trying to cool it down, it happened somewhere along the way - I first noticed it when I went to "take its temperature." the crust was really hard to break up, I actually did try that. I was scared of it splashing up on me too. When I was able to get some of it to crumble- it was still not dissolved. I usually don't stand and stir for too long because I can only hold my breath for so long then the fumes get to me. I'm going to stir til it gets clear and if I have to run to another window to take a breath I will. I might end up just putting it thru a coffee filter each time if I can't figure out what's causing it. Thank you all again...it's so nice to have soap buddies to talk to.

Do you have a small desk fan? I stir my lye in the sink, which is in front of an open window, and I have a $10 desk fan pointed towards the window to blow the fumes away from me...

Or could you mix your lye outside?

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

There could possibly be residue in the water if it is not distilled etc. also possible residue in the container, sponge etc. As important would be to make sure the lye is dissolved completely, stir till the water is clear, if not, you can not be sure your lye ratio is correct. It is OK to strain it of "floaties" if you are sure the lye is dissolved.

Also too, I have heard that this can happen when you put your lye crystals in the container first, then add the water. It can form a crust. You should put lye into the water not the water into the lye.

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Kristen D. Vineyard
visit my blog http://washwithvegetables.blogspot.com

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

After hearing everyone's comments my thinking is that residue is probably the culprit. I have washed my lye water container many many times with detergent, even Soft Scub when I sensed that the inside was oily because I'd washed my oil containers with the same sponge.

I like the idea of a fan- I think I'll try that. I always stir my lye in the windowsill but still fight the fumes. I'll try stirring for longer, even if I have to walk away to take a breath. I never ever ever! pour water onto lye. I learned about that early on when I took some soaping classes. Don't want a volcanic eruption in my kitchen. I bought a new container for lye today- it will be rinsed with cold water and kept far way from other containers. I use only distilled water to make soap.

I'm going to fire up a new batch tomorrow- I will report back.

Thanks everyone.