Comments on: Do One Thing: Buy Local, Handmade Soap.

By: Michele

Michele — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:22:46 +0000

Lye in an organic form is produced by filtering water through wood ash – it is a chemical produced by nature. Like borax and many other naturally occurring chemicals. I am not sure how exactly lye is made in the sense of manufacturing, but keep in mind lye is used in many everyday ways – it is used to preserve fish, it is used in the making of pretzels, it is used in making blue jeans.

Let’s also keep in mind that in terms of making soap it does not keep it’s lye form – it saponifies along with the oil to produce a salt and glycerin. The wonderfully conditioning element in remains in handmade soap. A skilled soapmaker knows how to make sure that there is not lye remaining in the end product keeping the ph so safe levels.

By: Mickey

Mickey — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 05:08:33 +0000

Good point…
I think the right word may be “detergent”.

By: David

David — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:11:24 +0000

True, maybe it should not be called “soap” in the generic definition of the word. But the result can still clean you.

By: Mickey

Mickey — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 01:28:36 +0000

Not to pick nits but there are actually NOT several ways to make soap without lye. The Saponis plant (soapwort) can be crushed to produce lather but it is not soap.

Soap by definition is a salt which is the product of a chemical reaction between lye and some form of fat (animal or vegetable). Basically they try to cancel each other out and soap is the result. If made properly, there is no longer any lye present. So lye (sodium hydroxide) is more of a means to an end rather than an ingredient.

Of course that doesn’t mean you can’t wash with soapwort or whatever else you like. I’ve heard of some who only use vinegar to wash. As for me I’ll stick with my own good old hand made soaps.