Teach Soap

So I placed my order today and what did I forget? My lye. So I stopped at the Ace Hardware in my town and they sell Rooto 100% Lye. On the back it says contains sodium hydroxide, lye. It says it is in crystal form. Had anyone used this? Any problems? Thanks!

That one's OK to use.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Okay like it's fine or ok like ehh I wouldn't use it f I didn't have to. Any problems.

Its fine!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

When traveling and wanting to make soap in a distant place I use Rooto. Be sure there are no black spots in the crystal and I suggest that once you have it in the water and it has dissolved to use a sieve to strain it thru. I haven't had any problems using it but I prefer food grade whenever possible.

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂

Okay, thanks guys! I was so bummed when I realized I forgot it. I feel a bit better now.

I use it all the time. Ace is just a couple of miles from my house, the price is under $4 a pound, and they always have a lot of it.

I use that lye in all my soaps, never had a problem.

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Laura<3

Mella said "I prefer food grade whenever possible". What do you mean by food grade lye? My friend from the Philippines said her mother made some recipe which had lye in it- I told her no way, that stuff is dangerous!! I was surprised to see you say "food grade"!
-Sherri

There is food grade and lab grade. I just buy whichever one costs less. I have noticed no difference and I buy it by 50 lb. bags.

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

Sherri the food grade lye I use comes in the form of beads and is quick to dissolve and packaged in a convenient container. I order 50 lbs at a time in individual containers.

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~bytheSEAsoap~ Mella bythesea, bythesea, bythebeautiful sea

海の皂

The Rooto lye is the only lye I've used. No problems at all. It also lets me support a local business.

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

A friend of mine in the chemical industry taught me about the difference in food and cosmetic/chemical grade. Food grade is processed on equipment that has regular checks by FDA standards. Cleanliness, purity, how much handling it has - those things are considered with 'food grade' products.

Chemical or cosmetic grade products have considerably less regulating, the equipment doesn't have to be cleaned, serviced, or inspected nearly as often.

In some, but not all cases, the extra maintenance, cleaning, and inspections can cause food grade ingredients to be more expensive than their cosmetic/chemical counterparts.

Just as an FYI.