Parke Co. Grapevine
Active Member
Not sure if this is the right category for my Q. but maybe some of you that have studied the chemistry of soap can help here. I have older customers who swear that the 'lye' in a plain, granny-type soap is their secret weapon against bee stings and other insect bites. They carry a bar of granny soap to swab/rub on a bite. Their grandkids come running, they tell me, for a rub of 'lye' soap when they get a sting or bite. They swear the 'lye' in the soap takes away the pain and immediately stops the swelling.
NOW< I know if we are making soap correctly and safely, there is actually no lye left in the soap. It's all just - soap. I know from the experience of my skin touching raw soap or a scattered grain of lye-crystal, that I would not want to ever put lye on my grandchild's skin! My husband and I both believe that the truth in this case is that *any* homemade soap would do the same thing because it is, by chemical definition a 'salt' and that is what contradicts the itching and swelling. Commercial soaps are mostly 'other ingredients' that would have little effect on the sting or bite. We've had older customers get agitated and walk away when we try to explain that all soaps are made with lye, but no lye remains in the final product. I don't really expect to be able to explain the chemistry or change their mind; I'm also not going to be deceptive in our selling and marketing. Just asking . . . does anyone else have input or insight on this?
Moved to CP
NOW< I know if we are making soap correctly and safely, there is actually no lye left in the soap. It's all just - soap. I know from the experience of my skin touching raw soap or a scattered grain of lye-crystal, that I would not want to ever put lye on my grandchild's skin! My husband and I both believe that the truth in this case is that *any* homemade soap would do the same thing because it is, by chemical definition a 'salt' and that is what contradicts the itching and swelling. Commercial soaps are mostly 'other ingredients' that would have little effect on the sting or bite. We've had older customers get agitated and walk away when we try to explain that all soaps are made with lye, but no lye remains in the final product. I don't really expect to be able to explain the chemistry or change their mind; I'm also not going to be deceptive in our selling and marketing. Just asking . . . does anyone else have input or insight on this?
Moved to CP