Teach Soap

I'm on my second and third batches of soap.
Is the lye water supposed to get completely clear?
I don't remember how it was with my first batch.

It's not cloudy anymore but it has lil tiny floatys in it. For lack of a better description, like sea monkeys. Are these going to form lye patches or is it ok? This is the second batch of lye water I made today. I threw the first one out because of the lil white things

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~Jola

The little white floaties are most likely leftovers from when you washed your lye pitcher. You should be fine, if the lye water is clear otherwise and they are no lye grains on the bottom.

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

Soapbuddy, are you saying you should just use one pitcher for lye only? I use a glass pyrex pitcher for my lye, should I not use that for anything else (soapmaking wise) even though I wash it?

oh thank goodness! I just got done making my salt bars! and was going to freak if the lye was bad!

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~Jola

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

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

WOW! Thanks for the heads up on the pyrex regarding lye soapbuddy. I have an old tupperware 64oz (I think) pitcher. Would this be sufficient for my lye water? I have poured hot water in it for making iced tea.

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~Jola

I know what you mean Jola. It boggles my mind that lye would eat glass but not plastic?????

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

When Corning (the makers of Pyrex) sold to World Kitchen (Borden) about 10 years ago,
they changed from borosilicate to tempered soda lime glass in the US (a cost-cutting effort).

The manufacturer now states that Pyrex brand is NOT SAFE to be used where extreme temperature
changes can occur, ie: freezer to oven.

There are horror stories all over the web if you look.

I doubt that mason jars would be any more safe than a pyrex pitcher.

Why ask for trouble? Use a plastic pitcher and free yourself of the
fear of that ever happening.

Tupperware should be fine. I use both a half-gallon and gallon Sterlite pitchers,
depending on the time of year, to mix and store my premade lye, water & silk solution.

Here is what it looks like. They can be purchased at Walmart and most supermarkets.


And as for your floaties, it could be from any oil residue left on your pitcher or mixing
implement that is reacting to the lye.

Oh MY! I use a mason jar too. Guess I'll find me a heavy plastic somthing or other to use just to be on the safe side. Thanks for the info. By the way I've gotten alot of my soap making utencles ( both stick blenders, Pot , graters and measuring spoons at yard sales for almost nothing. When your just starting out ( till the soap bug really bites you) you can save alot of money and shipping charges by buying what you can find localy.

Thanks Jbren, you guys are so helpful for us newbies. I went to our local hardware store yesterday & found a rubbermaid container that I am using now for my lye water mixture. I did a boiling water test first, so I think it's okay. It was amazing the stuff I found in the hardware store for my soapmaking I know I could have probably gone to some yard sales & found it cheaper but this is just a hobby for me so I'm not really looking at the bottom line - just enjoying the experience!

You are quite welcome.

I have been on a soapbox about not using Pyrex or any kind of glass for a few years now on more than one forum, and there is always someone, somewhere who will say they have been using it for years and it's not a problem.

Funny how some of those people who fought me tooth and nail then are now using plastic or Tupperware like they invented the stuff~!

Oh, and stainless steel works too, but I like the plastic because it's almost see-through.

Linda, I've gotten almost all my supplies at yard sales and thrift stores too! I just love a good deal! And I got everything I need (including the stick mixer etc) for less than $15!
I highly recommend trying to get used supplies. Even if it is a hobby, why not save a few bucks (=extra money to spend on FO's and base oils ). Plus it helps other people out by putting a few bucks in their pocket. It keeps stuff from going to the dump too
Just make sure you look them over well.
I'll be looking for a plastic pitcher this week!

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~Jola