Lye /liquid soap/Mary

[Guest guest]

Hi Mary,

I know Bobbie has already posted a reply for you, but I just have to add my 2 cents worth too. Liquid soap is made with a different type of lye....potassium hydroxide whereas bar soap is made with sodium hydroxide. They are both alkali (salt) just in different forms. Now, what does the label on this soap you buy list as ingredients? It won't say "lye"...I don't know of anyone who would put that on a label anyway, but as was pointed out by Bobbie, once the process of mixing lye water and oils is complete, you have neither lye nor oil, but soap in whatever form you make it (hard or liquid). The most common is to put it as "saponified oils of....." Now, of course the average person would have no clue as to what that means and would, understandably, assume that the soap was not made with lye since it is not listed. But, I would just about guarantee that this liquid soap you are using began as oils, water

and lye. If not, I would certainly be surprised. I would love to ask this person just how she makes her liquid soap, what does she put in it?...does she use any preservative? She should as liquid soap does has more potential of developing fungus and germs than does bar soap because of the water content. Any time water remains it has the potential for germs, fungus etc, such as in lotions....and don't let anyone fool you into thinking that because they put vitamin E in it that it is protected. Vit E is a tocopherol but does NOT have preservative capabilities. There are other things they will use such as grapefruit seed extract as a preservative, however I won't take any chances...I use a preservative in my lotions. Also, I am assuming from what you have said, that she labels her product as "all natural". Are these soaps scented? What are they scented with? If scented

with fragrance oils, those are synthetic, therefore definitely NOT natural. Using the term "all natural" is pretty tricky really and depends upon what you have in your product. Now, you may ask her these questions and she may say that we don't know what we are talking about, and not to worry (wouldn't want to lose a sale I'm sure). However, I would encourage you to do your own research and not just take someone's word for anything. I am sure there are those out there who could explain all this in more technical terms, as I am certainly not even close to an expert, however, I did research, and asked questions. I have several books and have gone online and searched...I still do.

Hope this helps.

Paula