Lye is essential to make soap. However, it is a caustic chemical and must be handled with caution. Hence using lye safely for soapmaking is extremely important.
There is a common question that comes up with people learning to make soaps on their own, “How safe is it to use lye?” Let me reassure you that lye is very safe to use, provided necessary precautions are taken.
What exactly is lye?
Chemically speaking, lye is a metallic hydroxide. Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) makes solid soaps and Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) makes liquid soaps. They are both extremely caustic. Hence, using lye safely for soapmaking is both essential and important.
Traditionally lye was made by boiling hardwood ashes in rain water. After a few hours, the ash settled to the bottom and the residual liquid was skimmed off as lye solution. This was then mixed with fats to make soap. The downside to this method was that you could not determine the strength of the lye solution. Hence the resulting soap could turn out lye heavy or ‘harsh’. Ever heard of the phrase ‘Granny’s old fashioned lye soaps are harsh’? This is exactly the reason why.
Nowadays, lye is manufactured in laboratories to have better control over purity and strength. This way, handmade soapmakers can make more gentle soaps. Lye is commercially available as flakes or pellets. Nowadays lye is also available as a liquid solution with a predetermined strength.
How dangerous is lye?
Lye, being very caustic, can cause chemical burns on the skin. When severe, it can cause permanent injuries and scarring almost immediately upon contact. Lye in the eyes can even cause blindness. Let this not put you off from handling lye. Again, it is safe when you handle it properly.
Precautions to take with lye
Always use gloves and eye protection (goggles) when you make soap. This is non-negotiable.
Long sleeve shirts, pants and socks can help prevent lye spills on the limbs to a certain extent.
Make soap near a water source. You can flush the affected area immediately if needed.
Use heat & chemical proof containers. #2 HDPE or #5PP plastic is ideal. This will ensure that lye does not seep out from unsuitable containers.
Stand away from the container when you mix lye. Keep your face turned away at all times.
While mixing lye, it will release a lot of fumes which might cause choking. Make sure not to inhale the fumes. Working in a well ventilated area helps.
Never leave the lye solution unattended even for a minute. Lye solution when mixed looks just like water. It is easy to mistake it. So, keep pets and kids away from your soapmaking space at all costs.
Keep gloves and eye protection on even during cleanup.
How to handle a lye spill?
Inspite of taking precautions, we need to be prepared for the worst scenario. What should you do if you accidently spill lye?
If you spill lye granules, gently sweep it off with a dry broom or a cloth and dump it in the drain. Wash it down with a stream of cold water. Then you can go over the area with a wet cloth to wipe off any remaining lye. Make sure to wear goggles and gloves all the time.
If lye solution spills on the countertop, wipe off with paper towels or waste rags. Put them in the sink and run them with lots of running cold water to dilute the lye strength. Discard safely in a trashcan. Wipe off excess lye solution from countertop with more cold water and mild soap. Wipe clean.
Raw soap batter is caustic too. If batter spills on the countertop, wipe away with paper towels and discard. Wash the area with plain water and mild soap.
If you happen to get lye solution or raw soap batter on the skin, rinse with copious amounts of plain cold water. Once you’ve rinsed thoroughly, wash with mild soap and water. Dab dry without rubbing the skin. DO NOT RINSE WITH VINEGAR as many resources online might state. Such articles mention that vinegar, being an acid, will neutralize lye. But not many reveal that such a reaction also produces a lot of heat. Now we don’t want to further stress our skin with heat.
If the extent of spill on the skin or eyes in severe, call the paramedics or visit a physician immediately.
Now for a bit of assurance; lye mishaps are rare. So don’t let this scare you from making soap. Just be careful and don’t take safety lightly. Be aware of what can go wrong and be prepared to deal with it without panicking. Then you are all set, I promise!
Have I explained how important and essential it is to know how to handle lye safely well? Let me know if you have any additional questions in the comments below! Always happy to help!