CareBear Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I keep reading folks recommending mixing outside, but that's not for me. The last thing I want to do is carry a lye solution through the house - especially over the doorstep where I could trip. Someone could run past or into me, I could trip and spill (even with a lid)... Carrying it at all seems a bad idea.We cannot just leave it outside unattended to cool either - animals could get into it, a neighbor kid, anything could happen.I mix mine in the sink by an open window. I then lift it out of the sink onto the counter and put it in the back corner if it needs to cool - too far back for little hands. And even then I stick around to make sure no one can get into it. (all properly labeled of course)Where do you mix yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scent Cellar Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I have a screened in porch between our house & garage and I mix my lye in there and leave it there until I am ready to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carol k Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 outside standing up wind from it. come in & pour it into the crockpot. i do hp soap so it works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 i do rtcp so i don't need for my lye to cool. i mix it in my garage which is where i do my soaping. at the time i mix, i have my garage door open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruina Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 In a NYC apartment? Where else, in my tiny, tiny kitchen sink. :smiley2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel91805 Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I mix mine in the kitchen, at the stove, under the vent hood with the exhaust fan running on high. Have been known to do it on the back porch, but inside is so much easier. Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brydean Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 When I started I would mix it up outside then carry it in. Not only did it get too cold, to be running back and forth! I decided going back and forth with the lye container wasn't any safer than just mixing it up in my kitchen sink. My front and back doors both open into my living room. I feel I have more chance of having a child or pet related accident that way then just staying put in my kitchen. I usually HP so no worry about cooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbren Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I mix a half gallon at a time in a sterlite pitcher. Mix it in the sink near the exhaust fan above the stove.I store it between the inside & storm door in the kitchen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire and Ice Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 As my range hood vents back into my own house, this is not an option. I live alone and do not get visitors. I also have no kids. Outside is safest way for me to mix. As the back door is right there, I would only have to walk four feet total. Fire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ttmontes Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I do mine the same as the original poster in the sink with the window open but I only make small batches for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michi Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 i do rtcp so i don't need for my lye to cool.I'm confused by this statement Crafty1- I also do rtcp and always let my lye cool somewhat, otherwise it's too hot for doing rtcp.I just do mine at my island counter. I've never had a problem with enhaling fumes unless I stick my face right into the pitcher. Maybe b/c I never mix more than what's needed for 2-4lb. batch. I guess if I was mixing a lot more, it might be more "fumey" huh?My pitcher is clearly marked (with permanent black marker) that it is for LYE use only and not to be touched etc.Sometimes I'll put it in the freezer for a few minutes if I'm in a hurry for it to cool. But I always make sure I'm in the kitchen preparing my oils and such so that if little hands want to get in the freezer I'm right there to stop them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I'm confused by this statement Crafty1- I also do rtcp and always let my lye cool somewhat, otherwise it's too hot for doing rtcp.I just do mine at my island counter. I've never had a problem with enhaling fumes unless I stick my face right into the pitcher. Maybe b/c I never mix more than what's needed for 2-4lb. batch. I guess if I was mixing a lot more, it might be more "fumey" huh?My pitcher is clearly marked (with permanent black marker) that it is for LYE use only and not to be touched etc.Sometimes I'll put it in the freezer for a few minutes if I'm in a hurry for it to cool. But I always make sure I'm in the kitchen preparing my oils and such so that if little hands want to get in the freezer I'm right there to stop them. i don't melt any of my hard oils, which are shea, palm, and coconut, as soon as i mix the lye water, i pour into my bucket of oils and whisk until all the solid oils are melted, once they are, i stick blend, color, fragrance, etc. pour into molds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diamondk Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I mix mine in the garage and then bring it into kitchen about 10 minutes later to cool. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kymber Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I have a soaping kitchen downstairs so I mix mine in the sink down there and then let it sit until I use it. I have started masterbatching mine in 3 gallon containers that have lock lids. No little kids around here anymore and usually just me and the dogs home..LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natrldsastr Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Yep, I have my very own soaping kitchen downstairs also, mix lye in utility sink. I have nice counters adjacent, so no packing around. I have found the deep sink does funnel fumes straight up, but just avert my head for a minute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopsgirl Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I'm lucky in that I have a shop out back so I just open the windows and door. I also have no one around brave enough to enter the shop :rolleyes2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peachdream Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I mix mine in the kitchen sink now. I just turn my head or walk away for a couple of mins if its a bit fumey. I used to do it on the deck when I first started soaping and I figured I was more likely to have an accident coming back into the house than if I just left it in the sink, which is my work area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heirloomoriginals Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I mix mine in my kitchen sink. I know have our old kitchen for making soap and candles, so it will be nice to be able to leave things out (of course I take precautions with the lye), but it can sit in a back corner where it will be safe.Steph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted January 9, 2008 Author Share Posted January 9, 2008 Peachdream I agree completely. I worry about carrying it anywhere - just seems like an accident waiting to happen. Staying put and finding a way to divert any fumes (or my head) just seems so much less risky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystical_angel1219 Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I mix mine in my soaping area~ in the basement.No kids or pets here, so I am pretty safe. I haven't done any masterbatching as I am too worried that sooner or later the lye will eat thru the container. Or I'll make a miscalculation in the water to lye ratio. Call me paranoid. I have a few pitchers ready to use if I am making multiple batches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycacti Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 I also do rtcp and always let my lye cool somewhat, otherwise it's too hot for doing rtcp. what is "rtcp"I mix mine outside-just bump furballs into backyard and mix in front-on top of recycle binthen carry inside and leave in counter-no spills-pretend it is a martini glass and go with it-you knw you never spill a martini!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 I do the same as Care Bear's original post, except I also cool in the sink and make sure nobody comes in the kitchen while I am making soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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