chopsgirl Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 silly question I know, but I bought 5 lbs about 6 mts ago, I've kept it in the original contailer sealed except the few times I've used it and now it doesn't seem to get as hot when I add it to the liquid. tia,angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 It doesn't go bad. But you need to keep it dry.Is your house cooler now compared to a few months ago? I wonder if this might explain why the lye solution isn't getting as hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopsgirl Posted November 10, 2007 Author Share Posted November 10, 2007 that may be it. I keep it the shop and the temp has dropped. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryann Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 I had to throw some out that the humidity got to and I think activated. When I used it, there were parts that weren't dissolving in the water and I would have to strain out. I did that w/ a few batches and threw the rest out and bought new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapgirl Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I had to throw some out that the humidity got to and I think activated. When I used it, there were parts that weren't dissolving in the water and I would have to strain out. I did that w/ a few batches and threw the rest out and bought new.This has happened to me 2x now so I got fed up with my local supplier, I don't think he's storing it correctly. I buy it from lowes now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I only make soap sporadically and have taken several months to get through a few pounds of lye. There wasn't a noticeable problem.However, it can definitely go bad. Sodium hydroxide voraciously absorbs moisture from the air -- practically to the point that it can dissolve itself in humid conditions. That could throw things off because you'll be weighing water in addition to the lye when you measure it out. The other thing is that it reacts with carbon dioxide in the air to form sodium carbonate, which is a mineral ash that's useless for saponifying your oils.You have to store it tightly closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire and Ice Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I only make soap sporadically and have taken several months to get through a few pounds of lye. There wasn't a noticeable problem.However, it can definitely go bad. Sodium hydroxide voraciously absorbs moisture from the air -- practically to the point that it can dissolve itself in humid conditions. That could throw things off because you'll be weighing water in addition to the lye when you measure it out. The other thing is that it reacts with carbon dioxide in the air to form sodium carbonate, which is a mineral ash that's useless for saponifying your oils.You have to store it tightly closed.So then, what IS the very best was to store your lye? I plan on storing mine in the basement. If it comes in tightly sealed can, I'll still keep it in a small tote as well? I have a dehumidiphier in my basement as well. Not that I've ordered any yet but it's best to know before I do order it so I start off on the right foot the first time, every time. Fire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbren Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I get mine from Boyer, and it comes in 2 lb. paint cans. Haven't had to do anything special with them. Before, I would keep it in HDPE containers with a desiccant pack in each one, tight lid. I kept the containers in a large lidded pail with newspapers scrunched in between the containers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopsgirl Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 i just looked at it again and I think you are right about the moisture. It isn't as freeflowiing as it was. it almost looks like moist white sand.think there is any way to save it or at least compensate? I'd really like to play today and I don't have a local supplier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 I get mine from Boyer, and it comes in 2 lb. paint cans. Haven't had to do anything special with them. Before, I would keep it in HDPE containers with a desiccant pack in each one, tight lid. I kept the containers in a large lidded pail with newspapers scrunched in between the containers.You shouldn't use dessicant packs in lye. At best it's useless. Lye attracts moisture much more strongly and will suck it right out of the dessicant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 yep, I can attest to that. cause I didn't believe Top last time, I did a little experiment and put an over-used (i.e., slightly damp) dessicant pack in a big container with some lye in a smaller open container... the dessicant pack got nicely dried out and the lye got soggy.The good news is that it renewed my dessicant pack LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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