QA

Quick Answer: Where Do You Buy Lye

Is lye sold in stores?

Lye used to be available in the supermarket but not anymore. You might be able to find it in some hardware stores often in the drain cleaning section next to the Draino. In order for that lye to be effective in soapmaking, you need to make sure that you are getting 100 percent sodium hydroxide.

Where can u get lye?

Sources of lye include: Drain cleaner (check the label) – e.g., Roebic Crystal Drain Cleaner, sold at Lowes. Sodium hydroxide from an online chemical supply store. Soap-making store. Candle-making store. Biodiesel supply store.

Does Walmart sell pure lye?

Pure Lye Drain Opener, 1 Lb – Walmart.com.

What can be used instead of lye?

A common home alternative to lye when making pretzels or bagels is to use a baking soda solution.

Can you make your own lye?

To make lye in the kitchen, boil the ashes from a hardwood fire (soft woods are too resinous to mix with fat) in a little soft water, rainwater is best, for about half an hour. Allow the ashes to settle to the bottom of the pan and then skim the liquid lye off the top.

Can soap be made without lye?

The main way that you can make soap without handling lye is by using melt-and-pour soap. It’s already been through saponification (oils reacting with lye) and is safe to use and handle straight out of the package. All you do with it is melt it, add your scent, color, and other additives, then pour it into molds.

What happens if you drink lye?

Lye water is a strongly alkaline (caustic) solution which can cause severe injury in the form of corrosive burns, especially to the throat, oesophagus and stomach if swallowed. Lye water can be dangerous if: accidentally swallowed straight from the bottle, which can burn your mouth, throat and stomach.

Why is lye used on bodies?

The process is called alkaline hydrolysis and was developed in this country 16 years ago to get rid of animal carcasses. It uses lye, 300-degree heat and 60 pounds of pressure per square inch to destroy bodies in big stainless-steel cylinders that are similar to pressure cookers.

What is pure lye used for?

Making of household and industrial products: Lye is used to make commercial and industrial cleaners and clogged drain openers because of its cleaning effects and ability to dissolve grease. Tissue digestion: NaOH or KOH can be used to digest tissues of animal carcasses.

How do you make lye water for food?

It’s very easy, and inexpensive, to prepare a homemade version as a substitute. You only need two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water. Mix them at a 1:4 ratio. Then you’re ready to use it!Jul 2, 2021.

How much lye do I need to unclog a drain?

Using a plastic spoon, pour a few tablespoonfuls of lye directly into the drain hole. Then, pour in about a quarter cup of water to disperse the lye as far as it can go. Leave it to do its job for a half hour or so then flush the drain with hot water.

Can I use any lye for soap making?

You must only use 100% lye in your soap making. If the package does not specifically say 100% lye, or 100% sodium hydroxide (the chemical name for lye) you should not use it. The most common brands you’ll find locally are Roebic or Rooto. Do not use drain openers, like Drano.

Is lye the same as baking soda?

Lye is a stronger alkaline than baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, with a pH reading ranging from around 13 to 14. Its base of sodium hydroxide is created commercially by the electrolysis of sodium chloride solution, as well as reacting calcium hydroxide with sodium carbonate, according to the FDA.

Where does lye come from naturally?

Whatever meat scraps and drippings you have on hand will supply the fat and the lye comes from wood ashes and water. To make lye in the kitchen, boil the ashes from a hardwood fire (soft woods are too resinous to mix with fat) in a little soft water, rain water is best, for about half an hour.

Can you use baking soda instead of lye to make soap?

It is certainly possible to make an acceptable cold process soap using baking soda or washing soda, but lather performance suffers compared to the same soap formula without them. This supports the conventional wisdom that they are better used in a hot process soap (after the cook) or in a rebatched soap.

What is the best wood to make lye?

The best hardwoods for lye water include ash, hickory, beech, sugar maple, and buckeye. To make lye using this method, you’ll need enough ash to nearly fill a wooden barrel. Don’t use ashes from softwood trees, as these don’t contain enough potassium.

How do you make Boerseep?

Making boerseep involves science, art and more than a little muscle. It begins with collecting rainwater, then adding lye and tallow, and then stirring (and stirring and stirring) by hand until the mixture is creamy and the fat and lye have finally dissolved.

Does wood ash and water make lye?

You see, lye (sodium hydroxide) is formed when wood ash (which is mostly potassium carbonate) is mixed with water. The mixed solution is extremely alkaline and if it comes in contact with your skin, it begins to absorb the oils and turns your skin into soap.

How do you make chemical free soap at home?

Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda. 2-5 tablespoons water. 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil. 10 drops peppermint essential oil. 10 drops lavender essential oil. Soap colorant (optional) Silicone mold.

How do you make basic natural soap?

Ingredients ⅔ cup unrefined coconut oil (to produce good lather) ⅔ cup olive oil (which makes a hard and mild bar) ⅔ cup almond oil (grapeseed, sunflower, or safflower oil will also work, just make sure it’s a liquid oil) ¼ cup lye (100% sodium hydroxide. ¾ cup cool water (distilled or purified).

How do you make glycerin soap?

To make glycerin soap, melt 1-2 blocks of glycerin in a double boiler over medium heat, and mix in a few drops of essential oils as the glycerin melts. Use a wooden spoon to stir the glycerin and oil constantly until combined, and then remove the boiler from heat.