Teach Soap

I am very new to soap making. I haven't even made soap yet. I'm still gathering materials. I was trying to get lye online but the shipping prices are just so ridiculous. I went to my local Lowe's and they had this drain opener that said 100% lye on it. It was $15 for 32 oz. I wasn't sure if it was 100% or if it was even safe to use. This is what the product was. http://www.lowes.com/pd_486650-331-HD-C ... 600&rpp=32

Im new to soap making as well. the one you posted a link to I am not sure of. but I get mine at Ace Hardware(not sure if its a store only local to my area or not) But im sure you can check any local hardware store. I haven't looked in a home depot or lowes. but I get this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Rooto-Corp-1030-D ... ywords=lye

I don't do ALOT of soap making being that I am new but it 16 oz. and I pay about $3.59

As long as it is 100% lye, you're fine. Make sure it's sodium hydroxide. There's another form of lye - potassium hydroxide - that's used for liquid soap making. I don't think it's used for drain cleaning, but I always encourage people to double check and make sure it's sodium hydroxide.

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"I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member." Groucho Marx, with some poetic license.

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~Jani

Roebic - is that the brand you're looking at at Lowe's? Yes, it is pure NaOH and perfectly acceptable for soap making. I used it when I first started making soap a couple of years ago and made some absolutely wonderful soaps with it that my far flung family thoroughly enjoyed.

Because I make more now than then, it is cost effective for me to purchase online. The least expensive site I have found so far is Essential Depot out of Florida. Even with shipping it is less than half the price of Lowe's for quantity purchases. For instance, a couple of weeks ago, I purchased 16 pounds (small order compared to some here but plenty for me). That is 8-2 lb containers of food grade lye. With shipping to my state, it worked out to about two-fifty a pound or just over $5 for the same amount -and a little better quality - that you're going to pay $15 + tax for.

I'm not trying to discourage you from purchasing from Lowe's. I agree wholeheartedly that for starting out and until you see if cold process soap making is enjoyable to you, you have a great plan. I am just pointing out that shipping doesn't have to be a major deterrent.

Also, in doing my research to find a local supplier, I found out that the Home Depot does NOT sell a 100% lye and my local Ace hardware had one that had additives in it. Read the label. I'm not familiar with Menard's since I don't live in that part of the country. I still have some Roebic under the sink for plumbing emergencies and would be willing to dip into that if I find myself in the middle of a recipe and am a little short. (and yes I realize it might be a little degraded from time)

Sorry about the length, I can get verbose at times. I hope you enjoy your soap making adventures.

*edited for grammer

ABCH, Im curious now..why do you say the lye from ED is better quality? I have the same lye, and grabbed the same deal as you did, but Im thinking of purchasing the Roebic from Lowe's when it comes time for me to buy more...can you elaborate on the difference in quality?

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~Jani

ED sells both food and tech grade NaOH. Roebic and any other lye you find in a plumbing or hardware store will definitely be tech grade. Anything that is manufactured for the food industry has much more stringent controls regarding cleanliness of the environment and a more careful precision of the titrations and other processes in the lab thus producing a product with less impurities in it.

Tech grade works just fine, it's just not as good of a product as food grade. Think of it this way - would you rather eat a burger and fries at Burger King or 5 Guys?

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~Jani

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~Jani