NERVOUS ABOUT LYE?

Have you ever wanted to make soap on your own, but got a bit nervous about using lye? It's a pretty common concern and trust me, I get it. I was nervous to use it too.

I remember standing in the kitchen with my husband with huge long bulky rubber gloves on, large plastic protective glasses that were suctioned to our heads, face shields on top of that, full body protection and an apron! You would have thought we were going into a Martha Stewart run nuclear power plant or something. Now I'm not saying that those things shouldn't be worn, but it was a little overkill and a bit difficult to move around in. But hey, we didn't know what to expect!

Jeff leaned in to look at the oils as we were pouring in the lye solution, and I shrieked, "Don't put your head over the pot! You'll get burned or you'll breathe in toxins!" Again, these things are definitely a probability but I was speaking from fear and anxiety more than logic. The look he gave me verified my overprotectiveness. 

A few years have past since that first batch of soap was made. Needless to say, both Jeff and I walked away unscathed. I'm proud to announce that we have yet to have any major issues occur while soaping. We were and still are very cautious and completely understand the possibilities of an accident. Our protective garments have been modified and are much easier to soap in now. 

I decided to write this entry because I want you to know that you aren't alone if you are scared to use lye. You should be cautious and definitely educated. Just don't let your fear deter you from trying. And try not to let your fear lead you to over dressing which could limit your mobility!

With that being said, do your homework first. Read up on 100% Lye and how it reacts with different substances. Learn how to use Soap Calc. Make sure you have the correct supplies before starting.  Definitely cover your arms and your hands. Wear protective glasses. Open a window so that your work space is well ventilated. Make sure no children or pets are nearby when soaping. If you walk into the situation feeling prepared, you'll have a much more confident time creating your first batch. (P.S. this isn't a checklist! Just a few of the many things to know before you go!) 

I always recommend watching Katie Carson's Youtube before you begin. She has a wonderful four part series for beginner soapers. And she is so bright and bubbly that you'll walk away excited to put your new wisdom into play. I watched her videos probably ten times before I actually got the nerve to try. 

You WILL get better at soaping with practice. It will probably take a little time to find your favorite soap recipe. It may take some patience to figure out why your soaps set up the way they do. Why colorants turn funky sometimes and which additives you actually enjoy using. Fragrance oils may turn you off, so try some out before buying a whole arsenal of them. Less is more when you are starting out. Grow your supplies as your confidence increases. 

If you ever have any questions, I'd be glad to help you out. Feel free to email me. There is also an awesome forum for soapers too: www.soapmakingforum.com. Everyone in the soaping community is super helpful and we all have the same motivation in mind, to make some awesome freaking soap!

Best of luck as you begin. You got this! 

Happy Luxury Lathering!