Teach Soap

Ok, so this past Saturday I'm gearing up to make 5 small batches of soap with my new FOs...I'm totally ridiculous in the fact that I've got something like 30 new FOs I can't wait to try...and I only make soap for us, LOL! So I get everything out, start measuring my lye and realized I only have enough to make one batch...boo!
I buy my lye locally ($3.99 for a one pound bottle of 100% lye under the brand name Rooto), so I go the the grocery store and they are totally cleaned out of lye! I asked a stock-boy if they had any in the back, and he said "No ma'am, the meth people wiped us out." He went on to tell me how "certain" people came in and bought every bottle they had in stock along with coffee filters...not even trying to hide what they are doing with all that lye...according to him, the police have been notified, but they can't stop them from buying it. All they can do is try to follow them and hopefully discover where they are making the meth, then bust them...I hope they get them SOON!!! He was nice enough to tell me that they would be getting a new shipment the next day and the manager was planning to leave it in the stockroom until this meth situation was taken care of, but since I needed it to make my soap, I could have as much as I wanted...
I just love being a small-town southern lady...it def has its advantages...everyone knows everyone else's business, but sometimes that's a GOOD thing, LOL!

Well, I haven't found a place to buy meth locally due to the high percentage of people who make meth around here. A sheriff of a neighboring county has publicly asked that all cold/decongestant medicines be taken off the shelf for a couple of months to help combat the meth problem here. I mean, yes, it's a problem. But, stop punishing the rest of us who are law abiding citizens. Does he not realize it is the height of cold/flu season?!? Sorry, it shouldn't tick me off, but it does. I guess because I used to work in an ER and I can't imagine the increase of people who will be seen in the ER and cost the medical industry muchos moola if the stores agree with his request, just because people won't be able to self treat and can't afford a regular doctor, so end up in the ER because they have no other option. *steps off soapbox*

I live in the south, but was raised in the north where I didn't even know what meth was until I moved down here. ha.

I live in the country, and it is more prevalent here than anyone would ever imagine! Several years back I recall a whole tank being taken from a farm in the middle of the night. Everyone was floored and couldn't understand why. Days later the police announced that meth makers had come out from the city to work unnoticed. Then, I think that more must have followed, cuz the addicts are everywhere too.

So now, I can't buy lye anywhere! The local Low*es does have some under a brand name, but it is over 13$ for 2lbs. That is TWO pounds! I about choked when I saw that price tag, but I guess it is one way to keep the meth makers from buying there. So I have to order it in and pay for shipping, but it's still cheaper that low*es, and since nobody else will sell it at all, it is my only option.

One bad apple CAN spoil a whole bunch

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I found that the lye Lowe.s carried was very expensive as well! I ended up finding a local chemical supply company and buying it by the 50 # bag. I am sure it will take me some time to go through but it only cost me around $1 a #. Would be nice if you new a couple people close who made soap as well and you could split up the lye as well as the cost.

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Melissa

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

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I buy my in 50 lb. bags locally. Much cheaper that way.

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

I get mine at True Value.

Yeah people cook it out in the country all the time. I work 911 dispatch and we get calls several times a year, have to dispatch out a hazmat team, because unsuspecting people stumble upon tanks and vats used to make it. It's prevalent where I live. There are a lot of products you have to get tags for and bring to the pharmacist to get for allergy/cold or flu. None of the big hardware stores carry lye, I've only found it at True Value.

I also buy at Tru Value. I don't know about meth cookers but in the fall I do compete with olive makers for the lye.

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Please visit my blog

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Melissa

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I used to buy my lye at grocery stores until a few years ago when they all stopped carrying lye because of this issue. At that time I always brought a bar of my soap with me (in case anyone had questions or thought it looked suspicious that I was buying several containers at once. I have since found an old hardware store in town who carries it and he said he sells to a few soapers, but it is harder to get because of the meth issue. Also, some people have used lye on their plumbing and then call the plumber, who gets injured, not knowing about the lye.