First timer lye safety question

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I just received my shipment of lye and essential oils and am ready to start soaping. My only problem is the lye arrived in 4 plastic bottles inside a large zip lock bag and it looks like there is lye dust in the bag and on at least one of the bottles. I don't think it's a leak, just sloppy packaging. What sort of safety measures should I take when I go to open that bag and pull out the dusty bottle? It may be nothing but since I've never soaped before I feel extra cautious.
 
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rofl. when i added lye to water for the first time.. i jumped back 10 feet and cringed.. i then crept up and hesitantly stirred it with a silicone spatula to make sure it wasn't pulling a fakey.. i'mma big baby.. :mrgreen:
 
Since you've got dust, make sure there isn't a lot of airflow when you open the bag - turn off fans/shut windows causing a cross-breeze. You don;t want that blowing all over the place inside your room. Other than that, just exercise normal precautions by wearing gloves and googles.

Good luck on the soaping!
 
I think I'll feel so much better when I get one batch under my belt. Lol @pulling a fakey

I'll definitely be careful about the dust.
 
I made my 1st batch!!! I was careful about wiping off the bottles and then I rubbed them with a dryer sheet. When I finally got around to soaping, the lye in the bottle was only a tiny bit scattery. I don't know what I was so afraid of.

You were afraid because it was a new experience. We've all been there.
 
Afraid like I was my first batch, taking the lye and the measuring cup full of my water outside to mix and leaning back like I expected it to behave similarly to dropping a chunk of sodium into the water.

I was a little braver the second time and did it in the kitchen sink.
 

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