Simple Customer Explanation for Sodium Hydroxide
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If they ask then they're already concerned, so I don't think you can avoid that. Just explain that the ingredients listed are what you start with when you make soap, and explain that NO lye is left behind after the soap is done. Sometimes it's as simple as that.
If they insist that soap can be made without lye, you might need to smile kindly, say that's a method of making soap you're not familiar with, and let matters go at that. The one thing I've learned is if a customer has a definite idea about something, you aren't likely to argue them out of it. You're going to be better off if you avoid a wrangle entirely. It won't change their mind and the debate will just ruin your day.
If they insist that soap can be made without lye, you might need to smile kindly, say that's a method of making soap you're not familiar with, and let matters go at that. The one thing I've learned is if a customer has a definite idea about something, you aren't likely to argue them out of it. You're going to be better off if you avoid a wrangle entirely. It won't change their mind and the debate will just ruin your day.
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That will do more to scare off customers than anything, even if it is true. :mrgreen:
It's better to just give a clear an concise explanation of what happens to lye and oils join teams and saponify. There's always going to be the occasional spastic that will go on a tangent about the evils of sodium hydroxide and what not. God help you if they are eating pretzels in front of you because I would laugh 20 lbs off me and be the size 4 I used to be.
:mrgreen::twisted:
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Have you done that, and what was their reaction?
Just joking. I only say that to friends and family, who for some reason seem to have faith in me.
Why would you list that on your ingredients? There is no sodium hydroxide left in the bars when you sell it (hopefully you did a zap test before packaging at least).
If you must "account" for it, list the oils as such: Sodium tallowate, sodium palmate, etc. Or "saponified tallow, palm oil, etc"
If you must "account" for it, list the oils as such: Sodium tallowate, sodium palmate, etc. Or "saponified tallow, palm oil, etc"
In the US, don't you have to list what goes in rather than what is left? Which would also include the lye.
You can do it either way. Commercial producers usually list what is left.
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This. There are a few brands that do list NaOH but I really can't remember since I haven't bought soap in over a year.
dixiedragon
Well-Known Member
I've only done 1 small show, but when people ask me that I explain that I use oils like lard and olive oil and they chemically combine with the lye to form soap, and the lye is completely gone by the time the bar makes it's way to them.
kchaystack
Supporting Member
The amount does not matter, but anything you use at less than 1% of the product can be listed in any order at the end of the list.
Kevin Devine just did a great video on this a few weeks ago.
https://youtu.be/4KJjVtmEhvU
"At worst, you will experience a slight tingling sensation.
Nothing to be alarmed about."
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They obviously know your sense of humor, and appreciate the quality of your soaps!
Swampy
Active Member
You could try explaining it to them that Sodium Hydroxide and oils are like Hydrogen and Oxygen.H20 baby,we cant live without it but on its own hydrogen creates big boom boom
That would be peppermint eo.
I have had a few people ask this question. I just tell them the truth. It's food grade lye that is used for peeling cherries, curing olives (making them less bitter), and canned mandarin oranges, just to mention a few. I even use lye to cook raw corn and helps with the peeling off the skin off the corn. I do this for making tamale mesa. Same exact process for making tortillas.
This is food grade, not Liquid Plumr, Red Devil. That is not food grade and it has more chemicals then it is natural. The other things is to mention that lye, back in the day, was made from grass. Look it up there are all kinds of ways that lye was produced in 4000 BC.
http://www.soaphistory.net/
Same here. Although I don't sell, I do, however, list all the ingredients that went into making my soap on my labels. I've had a mere one or 2 of my family members ask about the sodium or potassium hydroxide, and I just tell them the truth, plus give them a little mini-education about saponification at the same time.
Spice said:
Awesome! I make authentic laugenbretzel with mine (soft pretzel dough dipped in a lye solution before baking). Oh- and I also make laugencroissants (croissant dough dipped in a lye solution before baking). My favorite to make of the latter are the 'pain au chocolate' version with chocolate rolled up inside of the dough. It makes for a flakey, melt-in-your-mouth chocolaty croissant that tastes like a pretzel.
Lye- it's not just for soap.
IrishLass
Wow you are a Chef! It dinner time in my area and this just sounded so good.Same here. Although I don't sell, I do, however, list all the ingredients that went into making my soap on my labels. I've had a mere one or 2 of my family members ask about the sodium or potassium hydroxide, and I just tell them the truth, plus give them a little mini-education about saponification at the same time.
Awesome! I make authentic laugenbretzel with mine (soft pretzel dough dipped in a lye solution before baking). Oh- and I also make laugencroissants (croissant dough dipped in a lye solution before baking). My favorite to make of the latter are the 'pain au chocolate' version with chocolate rolled up inside of the dough. It makes for a flakey, melt-in-your-mouth chocolaty croissant that tastes like a pretzel.
Lye- it's not just for soap.
IrishLass
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