CW Apothecary Lye (sodium hydroxide) is packaged in 750ml certified HDPE bottles with child proof lids. Each bottle is 2 lbs. in weight, and food grade quality. Cwapothecary lye is 99% pure lye micro beads; which is slightly more pure than lye flakes. Lye (sodium hydroxide) is also known as Caustic Soda, Lye is a product that is used in the creation of soap, detergent, paper, textiles and drinking water.
Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) Uses and Benefits
Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) from CW Apothecary has become an incredibly versatile and useful ingredient in everything from food preparation to drain cleaning, and soap making. In food it can be used to wash or chemically peel fruits and vegetables, or soften foods like olives or baked goods. In Cleaning in a liquid form it is used to un clog drains, and strip paint off a surface. For Hair in liquid form it is mixed with other ingredients to create a hair straightening (a "relaxer). It is also often used to dissolve tissue, specifically to break down the tissue of dead animals in carcass removal. In Paper it is a key ingredient in the creation of paper from wood pulp.
Soap Making
Soap made from scratch cannot be made without using lye (sodium hydroxide). Lye works as an emulsifier in soap making that allows fats and oils, by themselves, do not mix with water. Lye (Sodium hydroxide) breaks up the triglyceride in fats and oils and turns the fatty acids into sodium salts. The salts reduce the surface tension in liquids and allow grease to be easily washed away with water. Try making a pure soap with no perfume, fragrances, dyes or additives that can irritate your skin. Using a pure soap with only the glycerin can cleanse and improve your skin condition – no matter what that condition is. Pure lye soap will sooth insect bites and actually repel insects with its residue. Try shaving your lye soap and using it as a laundry detergent, or rub a bar directly on a problem stain. Lye soap has been found to be as effective as commercial products on the market.
Warning:
Always wear goggles, glloves, mask, and protective clothing when working with Lye(Sodium Hydroxide) Never add water to Lye, always add Lye slowely to water.
