Goat milk Soap Question
- Thread starter LilyD
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freemotion
Self Sufficient Queen
Nope. Sorry. It is the chemical reaction between the lye and the oils that causes the oils to saponify, or become soap. If measured correctly, there will be NO lye left in the cured soap.
Why don't you want to use lye? It is really no worse than dealing with hot water or bleach, the same precautions. I don't even bother with rubber gloves anymore and I make 2 or more batches a week. Just keep children out of the area and focus on what you are doing and you'll be fine.
Why don't you want to use lye? It is really no worse than dealing with hot water or bleach, the same precautions. I don't even bother with rubber gloves anymore and I make 2 or more batches a week. Just keep children out of the area and focus on what you are doing and you'll be fine.
lilhill
Loving the herd life
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We are making soap for my sister Dawn and she is allergic to pretty much anything that is chemical. She asked if we would make her some goat milk soap that is all natural but all the recipes that I have seen use lye. I just don't want to make a bunch and then have her not be able to use it.
greenfamilyfarms
Overrun with beasties
The reaction between the oils and the lye causes the lye to be neutralized. This is called the saponification process. You can find more info about this process through a Google search if you wish to get a more in depth lesson on the chemistry side of soap making.LilyD said:
freemotion
Self Sufficient Queen
I also am very sensitive to chemicals....one of the reasons why I make almost everything I can, including soap. If the soap recipe is followed closely, there will be no traces of the lye left.
Think of it this way. You might pile up all your goat poop, pee, and bedding in a compost pile, let it break down, then work this precious stuff into the soil of your vegetable garden and grow lettuce, cukes, and tomatoes. When you eat the resulting organic salad, you are not eating poop and pee. It has completely changed from something nasty into something wonderful.
Same with the lye in soap.
The first time or two that you make it, it might be intimidating, but press on....it gets pretty easy. If you can measure ingredients, tell temperature on a thermometer, stir, and pour....then cut something the texture of cheddar cheese, you can make soap. If you can safely cook pasta....deal with boiling water and pouring hot stuff without burning yourself....you can handle lye. If you get a little on your skin, it will burn, but then you just run it under cool water and wash it off and it won't even leave a red mark if you are reasonably quick. Do wear eye protection, though.
Oh, and you also need patience...you need to lay the bars out, not touching each other so that air flows around them...until they cure. That takes about 3-4 weeks and you can test it by touching a bar with your tongue. If it still has a little lye, it will "bite" a bit. If not, it will taste like VERY mild soap.
It will be LOVELY to use. You will not need much lotion if you wash your hands a lot with goat's milk soap, if you need any at all. Most people are hooked once they try it.
Think of it this way. You might pile up all your goat poop, pee, and bedding in a compost pile, let it break down, then work this precious stuff into the soil of your vegetable garden and grow lettuce, cukes, and tomatoes. When you eat the resulting organic salad, you are not eating poop and pee. It has completely changed from something nasty into something wonderful.
Same with the lye in soap.
The first time or two that you make it, it might be intimidating, but press on....it gets pretty easy. If you can measure ingredients, tell temperature on a thermometer, stir, and pour....then cut something the texture of cheddar cheese, you can make soap. If you can safely cook pasta....deal with boiling water and pouring hot stuff without burning yourself....you can handle lye. If you get a little on your skin, it will burn, but then you just run it under cool water and wash it off and it won't even leave a red mark if you are reasonably quick. Do wear eye protection, though.
Oh, and you also need patience...you need to lay the bars out, not touching each other so that air flows around them...until they cure. That takes about 3-4 weeks and you can test it by touching a bar with your tongue. If it still has a little lye, it will "bite" a bit. If not, it will taste like VERY mild soap.
It will be LOVELY to use. You will not need much lotion if you wash your hands a lot with goat's milk soap, if you need any at all. Most people are hooked once they try it.
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