Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Lye can be harsh and burn the skin. This soap-maker is wearing gloves to protect himself from accidental
burns. Making soap outdoors provides plenty of ventilation as well.
(Photo courtesy of Steve Bozak)
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Lye releases strong heat, fumes, and gases when mixed with water. It will usually come in powder form, so
be sure you have your skin and eyes protected, windows open and fans on, and children out of the room.
Also, make sure the pot or pitcher you are mixing the lye solution in can handle the heat release without
reacting. Use only heat-resistant plastic, stainless-steel, ceramic, or stoneware containers for blending the
milk and lye. Vinegar will help counteract burns if lye touches skin.
Saponification
Saponification basically draws out the salt of the fat. Knowing this might make some of those con-
fusing ingredients clearer, such as sodium tallowate as being the salt (soap) derivative of tallow (beef
fat). When oils have been saponified, it creates soap and glycerin. In commercial soaps, glycerin is
often removed. Most homemade soaps leave the glycerin in.
Saponified with sodium hydroxide (lye), soap will be hard. With potassium hydroxide (potash),
soap will remain liquid.
