Table of Contents
Where can lye be found?
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.
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.
How do you get 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.
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.
Is lye harmful to humans?
Lye is a caustic substance that can certainly damage your skin if you’re exposed to it. It can cause a number of problems, such as burns, blindness, and even death when consumed. You see, the lye used to create soap reacts with other chemicals, which results in the formation of soap.
Is lye baking soda?
Originally Answered: Is baking soda same as lye? No. baking soda is sodium (hence the “soda” in the name) bicarbonate (NaHCO3), while lye (also known as “caustic soda”) is sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
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.
How do you make sodium hydroxide at home?
Dissolve 1 tablespoon (17 grams) of salt in 1.24 cups (290 mL) of water. Add the water to a glass and gently pour the salt into the water. Stir it in well with a spoon until the salt is completely dissolved. If your cup has a lid, attach it after adding the salt and shake it up and down to mix the salt it in.
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.
Is lye naturally occurring?
Is Lye natural? Lye refers to sodium hydroxide NaOH (bar soap) or potassium hydroxide KOH (liquid soap) and they are both made in a factory. Even though some people would consider all soap as a synthetic due to this. It is based on these organizations stand on soap that we list our soap as 100% Natural.
What does a lye burn feel like?
Lye burns if left untreated may be bad but I usually take care of it right away. It first feels like an insect bite then starts to itch and burn. Rinse under cold water then use soap and water to wash the area, rinse again.
What does lye come from?
A lye is a metal hydroxide traditionally obtained by leaching wood ashes, or a strong alkali which is highly soluble in water producing caustic basic solutions. “Lye” most commonly refers to sodium hydroxide (NaOH), but historically has been used for potassium hydroxide (KOH).
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.
Why is lye used in pretzels?
Lye is a strong alkali that can be dangerous if misused, but it’s lye that enhances the Maillard reaction on the outside of the dough. This reaction gives each pretzel a chewy crust, mahogany color, glossy sheen, and that unmistakable pretzel flavor typical of a German soft pretzel.
What can replace sodium hydroxide?
In summary, magnesium hydroxide is a safe alternative alkali to use as a replacement for sodium hydroxide and is readily available as both a powder and as 63% solids slurry.
How much does lye cost?
Price Discounts when Organization Members Buy Lye to Make Soap Quantity Price per Lb Total Price 1.25 lbs $6.39 $7.98 2.50 lbs $6.39 $15.97 3.75 lbs $6.39 $23.96 5.00 lbs $6.39 $31.95.
Can lye make you blind?
Also known as caustic soda, the chemical term for lye is sodium hydroxide, a dangerous substance that causes blindness when applied to the eyes. Those symptoms include irritation to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes, eye and skin burns and temporary hair loss.
Can you mix lye with vinegar?
Adding vinegar (an acid) to lye (a base) creates a chemical reaction that releases more heat. Additionally, the act of putting vinegar on a lye burn hurts. Just use water as the MSDS sheet suggests. Although vinegar should not be used to treat lye burns on skin, it can be used as precaution during the cleanup process.
