Teach Soap

Hi all, I'm new to the forum (and to soapmaking) and straight away I have a question! Yesterday I mixed my lye outside, as I have been doing from the start, and left it there to cool. When I came back to it later, a number of largish insects had landed in it and predictably, died. I know, it's v. sad. I'm sure it was quick though Anyway I didn't want to use the lye and my question is how to dispose of it safely? I can't put it down the sink as we are on a rural property and have a septic system (is it the same in the US? I'm in Australia) and I can't use drain cleaner, bleaches or anything like that. I called the local authorities who said to contact a hazardous waste disposal company, but really, for one cup of liquid? There must be an easier way! Thanks for any advice you experienced soapers can give me! Robyn/sherwoor.

how about don't use it for your soaping body soap but make soap any way, with less costly oils, i.e. lard, tallow and then use those that for laundry soap. shave it up. into soap curls.

_________________
~~~Cheryl~~~

Thanks Cheryl, great idea. I make my own laundry detergent using soap flakes (purchased) and have been thinking I could use not-so-successful batches for that too.

you could make a big bar and use it a pre-wash to rub on your stains. etc. Like Fels- Naptha.

_________________
~~~Cheryl~~~

Lye water can safely be poured down the drain too. After all, drain cleaners are often just 100% lye.

I wouldn't use it for soap myself, the idea of washing my clothes or dishes with dissolved bugs... no thanks!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Hi Heather,
That was my dilemma - I can't pour it down the drain because all of our drains lead to a septic tank, not a sewer. Septics maintain a delicate (odd word to use considering the subject matter) balance of healthy bacteria that work on the...er.....contents of the tank. Things like drain cleaners and bleaches eat some of the bacteria and upset the balance, leading to an unhealthy septic. I can only use plant-based green cleaners in my house because of this. Drains are cleaned with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.
Not to worry, problem solved by my intrepid husband who took the jar of lye solution and poured it into the middle of a sawn-off tree stump in a paddock - the tree had been diseased and he wanted to remove the stump before a horse tripped over it . Glad to have been of service, I guess.....

Unless you were making an enormous batch of lye water your septic would be fine Actually much better for the septic biota than shampoo and conditioner!

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

we use draino and pour lye down our septic system all the time and it is just fine!

_________________
Anna Rose @-}--
blog

I would dilute that one cup well with lots of water, then pour it down the drain.

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

Thank you! May I say this forum is awesome. Thanks for the advice so far! Robyn