problems with mixing lye

[Spellkast]

I've only made CP a few times- but this hasn't happened before. I went to mix my lye with my water, and the stuff wouldn't mix!!! It was two different brands (1.75 oz. of red devil, and 3 oz. of roebic) and it seemed like some of it mixed, and probably about half just settled at the bottom of the glass. Has this happened to anyone? I hit it with my mixer even and it still wouldn't blend together. And also, usually, once I add the lye, it takes about 25 minutes for the temp to go down to around 150. I checked on it not even ten minutes after I mixed it and it was at 125 already. I'm scared to even use it, thinking there will be bits of unmixed lye dispersed throughout my soap (which can NOT be safe!!!) HELP!! I'm about ready to give up on this CP crap..yeah right

[cindym]

Don't use it.

[Carrie]

I agree with Cindy, make a new batch.

[Meridith]

Does anyone know why this happened? Was it the two different brands? Just curious in case this ever happens to me. Sorry to hijack.

[RobinInOR]

Sounds like the Roebic wasn't really sodium hydroxide - did you double check the can to make sure a non-NaOH can wasn't mixed in with the others? And I'm assuming you were mixing it into way more than 4.75 oz of water?

[sudsnwicks]

I wonder if there could be two versions of Roebic out there - the original version which isn't 100% lye and then the new version which is 100% lye.

[Grumpy Girl]

The Roebic was 100% sodium hydroxide. I sent it to her. It's the same stuff I use every time I soap. It is weird that it won't incorporate with the other though... have you tried it again since by itself?

[Spellkast]

Well, I tried a new batch last night (All roebic) and it worked just fine...And don't worry Robin I read your tutorial, and added way more than 4.75 oz. of water So I really have NO idea what went wrong there!! I can't find anywhere on the container though, where it says if it's 100% lye or not. But it seemed to work the past two times, so I'm hoping it is 100%...what else could it be?

[CranberryGirl]

if u go to the roebic website you can see the Mds? nfo sheets it states that the drain cleaner is 100%lye..sodium Hy...Crystals......it looks like they add nothing to it..

I wish I had a lowes close by..wahhhhhhhhh...

[Gypsyjen]

Spellkast-was the water room temp or colder? The only think I can think of is the water was too hot...I use Roebic and my cans say 100% sodium hydroxide.