Essentially Natural Caustic Soda Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
Essentially Natural Caustic Soda Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
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Caustic Soda Lye is sodium hydroxide, an alkali used in soap making to trigger saponification when combined with oils and fats. It is a raw process ingredient rather than a finished cosmetic component, and it is essential for making true hard soap by cold or hot process methods. Used correctly in a tested soap recipe, the active lye is consumed during saponification. This is a highly caustic material and must be handled with strict care.
♡ Why we love it: We choose to stock Caustic Soda Lye because it is a core soap-making ingredient for makers who want to create true handmade soap from scratch. It is a specialist raw material, but an essential one for serious soap craft.
Find all our beautiful soap recipes and soap making inspiration here: Soaps.
Key properties of essentially natural caustic soda lye (sodium hydroxide)
- Ingredient: Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
- Function: Alkali for soap making
- Form: Caustic solid
What is caustic soda lye used for
- Cold process soap making
- Hot process soap making
- Producing hard soap through saponification with oils and fats
Who is caustic soda lye for
- Soap makers following correct lye-handling procedures
- Makers using verified soap recipes and accurate weighing
- Cold and hot process soap projects
- Cosmetic leave-on products
- Internal use
- Anyone unable to follow strict safety procedures
Caustic Soda Lye Is For:
Caustic Soda Lye Is Not For:
How to use caustic soda lye
- As a Soap Making Ingredient: Weigh accurately according to a tested soap recipe and calculate lye amounts correctly for the oils used.
- Processing Tip: Always add lye to water, never water to lye.
- Processing Tip: Mix in a well-ventilated area.
- Processing Tip: Allow soap to cure fully according to the chosen method before use.
Caustic soda lye safety instructions
- Danger, causes severe burns
- Always wear protective gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing
- Avoid skin and eye contact, inhalation, and ingestion
- Mix in a well-ventilated area
- Keep away from children and pets
- If skin or eyes are contacted, flush with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention
- Store tightly sealed, dry, and away from moisture, sunlight, and heat
- Not suitable for food use
Faqs
Q: Why is lye needed for soap?
A: It is required to convert oils into soap through saponification.
Q: Can true soap be made without lye?
A: No. True soap made from oils and fats requires an alkali such as sodium hydroxide.
Q: Is finished soap harsh because it uses lye?
A: When formulated correctly and fully cured, the lye is consumed during saponification and the finished soap should
be suitable for normal use.

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