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Can someone tell me if it is ok to make soap in the kitchen in the winter months? What would be the dangers with the lye? Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), March 27, 2001

Answers

I usually make my soap in the kitchen in the winter months. You must insulate the soap and keep your kitchen warm. First of all do not put water into lye you MUST ALWAYS PUT THE LYE INTO THE WATER. Make sure there are no children (or pets) around. I have only had one volcano in my life and it was a careless mistake. I have recently been asked to teach a soapmaking class for the homeschool group. I have said yes but I am going to decline. Why, because kids running around and lye do not mix. In the middle of my counter I mix the lye solutiion. Let it cool to 100 degrees, on the stove mix the oils, let it cool to 110 degrees then I gradually pour the lye solution into the oils and stick blend. I have never had a separation with this method. One more thing, gradually stir the lye into the water. When I do goat milk I stir a few crystals at a time.

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), March 27, 2001.

Of course!!! Its not the fumes that'll get you... I do it all the time.

I prefer out doors because I don't particularly care for the smell. Also, if making your own tallow, that can stink up your house too, but its just the smell... No ill health.

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 27, 2001.


What is the smell? You mean the different oils have a bad smell, or the lye? Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), March 27, 2001.

I started helping my grandmother making soap back in the 50s and still making soap today. I have always made in cold winter after butchering and reindering. But I learned something this last summer I made soap when it was 100 degrees in the shade the best and easiest I have ever made no juggling temp. between lye and fat. I know we must make year but will try to make most in warm weather.

-- coaltrain (prarierose91@hotmail.com), March 27, 2001.

Do any of you sell your soap, and for how much? What is your favorite kind to make?

-- Kathy (jubilant@ncweb.com), March 28, 2001.


Mary I make soap in the summer months only as the fumes from the lye an water take my breath away. It also burns my eyes please be careful!!

-- michelle (tsjheath@ainop.com), March 28, 2001.

Kathy I wouold sell soap if you are interested. I only make the basic lye soap, no other scents or oils in mine. We have senestivities to perfumes in the store bought soaps. I have seen our skin clear up real nice and stay that way using the homemade soaps. e-mail me if you are interested in buying and soap. Have a great day!

-- michelle (tsjheath@ainop.com), March 28, 2001.

I don't make much soap in the winter because the festival I go to in September burns me out on making soap. I have to get in the mood. I sell a ~4 oz. bar for $2.50 - that's with the scents and colors and whatever else. Another tip I have found is that you add the lye to the water and then LET IT SIT. You don't have to force the temperature down to what you want. Let it cool on it's own overnight. Then warm it up in warm water (like a double boiler). It's much easier than forcing the temp down from 214 degrees F.

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), March 28, 2001.

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