supergirlll Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I see a lot of soapmakers wearing safety goggles these days. Do you wear safety goggles?I don't wear goggles, always try to be careful with my lye mixture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 IMO you are crazy to soap without eye protection. I've seen the splashes of my raw soap on my goggles and knew that could have been my eyes. I enjoy seeing too much to not wear goggles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tootie04 Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I look like something from outerspace when I soap....goggles and all!! It is easy to get comfortable....then a disaster happens...like the time my glass pitcher broke with the lye water in it...luckly it was in the sink!! So better safe than sorry!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I don't wear goggles, always try to be careful with my lye mixture.And when you go blind you can say "But I was trying to be careful"... No seriously, they dont' call them "accidents" because we WANTED it to happen or did it on purpose... I value my eyesight too much to hope that something doesn't go wrong. It is a MUST for me or else I just won't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayshapooh Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I also look like a space creature LOL I always wear my googles and rubber gloves. Once I was wearing flip flops while soaping and had a tiny granule of lye fall on my foot and took a min to realize it had and it started to burn a little hole on the top of my foot so need to say I won't make that mistake again and now I always have on my tennis shoes too. I am very comfortable working with lye but still make sure I take precautions when using it. Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debratant Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Always! I don't care how I look...goggles are too important to go without while using the lye. It only takes one little splash to forever change your life. Don't risk it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljhenry Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Let me tell you - I had picked up my lye canister (with gloves) and the plastic label that was on it slipped off and the canister hit the floor. I had on flip flops, too. I kicked them off real fast and ran to the bathtub to shower off my feet. Fortunately, no burns, but quite a few stings. My kitchen floor has never been cleaner. Used vinegar to clean up everything after sweeping. Had to wash my broom and dustpan, too. Some got on the lower cabinet doors and now I have one door that it took off the varnish. You cannot be too safe with this stuff. That was awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tall Blonde Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 As someone who has gotten raw soap splashed in the eye and then spent several hours in the ER getting my eye flushed and not being able to see for a week and frying my eyelashes...yes, I wear goggles. From the time I need to pick up the lye canister to pouring the soap into the mold. And proper shoes and jeans and long sleeves. Which makes soaping in summer a ton of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfisher Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I do wear safety goggles and gloves. I'm rather lax about long sleeve shirts, pants and close-toe shoes, but goggles are a must for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire and Ice Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I wear safety glasses over my regular glasses, work boots, gloves and have my hair tied back. I never soap when I'm upset or tired. The soap pot has my full attention. No music or anything else when I'm soaping. If the phoen ring, I let the machine pick it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasBrat Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I use to in the past. I would suit up in all sorts of garb but now I do nothing for protection. I should wear eye protectant though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 TexasBrat, you know better...Anyway, yes, I do wear my goggles. I put them on before I reach up to the top shelf to grab my lye. Then I keep them on until I carry the lye water over to an unused corner of my shop and set it down on the concrete to cool. Only after I remove my gloves (that my have some lye on them) do I remove the goggles.Then I weigh everything, melt the oils etc. When it's time to go pick up the lye, the goggle so on once again. I don't take them off until I have the soap in the mold and all tucked in for the night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovelyLathers Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I wear them from start to finish as well as gloves, long sleeved shirt, apron and shoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misty Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I need my eyes. So, yes I protect them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 PRetty much I do. I can't see without glasses, so that adds protection too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supergirlll Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 @Misty,So I don't need my eyes because I don't protect them??? :lipsrseal Is that what you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonfly81 Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I look like a space alien when I soap, too. Covered from head to toe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljhenry Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Speaking of safety - Has anyone ever watched the soap making videos on YouTube? There is one lady in particular on there that is really nice and kinda funny to watch. But she is also kinda scary. She makes and sells her soaps. She is making "How To" videos and she is a wreck. Everything is stacked up and messed up. There is so much clutter around her that she loses things when she is showing what she is doing. Now normally I would not criticize anyones techniques, but she is showing other people like me to make soap with lye. You have to also watch the Hot Process video. Pots are being used that are still dirty because "it is just soap" and you are putting the same thing back in the pot. If I had not read other like this forum, I would have probably have had to make a hospital trip by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystical_angel1219 Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Lye is deadly and can cause blindness. Precaution's are essential. Better safe than sorry~ IMO. I'll plead the 5th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camay Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 @Misty,So I don't need my eyes because I don't protect them??? :lipsrseal Is that what you mean?Only you know why you don't protect your eyes. By not wearing goggles you are running a risk. Of course, everything we do in life is a risk of some sort. If you are willing to risk loosing your eyesight for some soapmaking, then you are free to do so.I am a professional chemist, and I use chemicals that are much more dangerous than sodium hydroxide every single day. I think it is crazy not to protect your eyes. At work, I don't have the option. I will be fired if I don't follow the safety protocols. But that is not why I protect my eyes. Eyesight is a precious gift, and should be treated as such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcrafter Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Well then, I must be crazy. I have been soaping consistently for my business for 20 years and I've never worn glasses during soaping nor do I wear gloves and wear short sleeves if I'm having a hot flash. Lye is something to be respected, sure and I don't go splashing it around irresponsibly like some crazy lady, I am careful. I have had bits of soap splash while I stickblended, but am always amazed at how quickly my eyes close even before the teeny bit even makes it halfway to my face. Our bodies are wonders! I have a galfriend who has been soaping as long as I have and her batches are 400 pounds each. She doesn't wear glasses, either. What everyone does is their choice. Yep. If someone wants to wear all that gear, I say more power to them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I think we all now know that you've been soaping for over 20 years and we can appreciate your experience. But to advocate soaping without safety equipment on is just plain irresponsible. Do you teach your students to do the same? Do you provide them with safety gear? I'd say you've gotten lucky for 20 years. I too teach soaping classes (although I've not been soaping as long as you). I not only wear my soaping gear (goggles and gloves), but I provide this for my students. I also require them to wear long sleeves and pants to class. I can only imagine the lawsuit I may have to face and defend if I taught a class where I not only did not wear soaping gear thereby setting an example, but I did not provide it and someone goes out and makes soap on their own and get a serious lye burn all because they did not think it was necessary based on my actions during my soaping class. BTW - none of us "go splashing it around irresponsibly like some crazy lady." Accidents happen. That's why are called accidents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcrafter Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I don't write that I've been making soap for 20 years to brag or boast. It's to say that I have been doing this for 20 years and have that much experience. No other reason. I teach and talk on forums from this experience. I don't care if someone has 1 day or 100 years experience. If I can learn from that person, I do. I love to learn.I didn't say that anyone splashes around irresponsibly. I said I don't splash around. I didn't say anyone on this forum does or that anyone said they do.I said I don't wear glasses/goggles. I didn't say no one should wear goggles. I said it was a choice for everyone to make themselves.When I teach people how to make soap, safety issues are discussed. I'm in no way irresponsible. You have never taken a class from me, so please don't think you know what I do or say in my classes.Lye is to be respected. I respect lye. Plain and simple.I've been lucky for 20 years? No, I've been careful for 20 years. Luck doesn't last 20 years and I don't believe in luck, anyway.Please don't read more into what I wrote. I write what I mean with no hidden agendas or meanings.Lastly, the question was asked Do you wear safety goggles for soaping?I saw nothing on that question that ended with....so we can blast those who don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 If you teach, then IMO you should NEVER advocate not wearing glasses even if you don't. Ecven when you add something to the effect that its everyone's choice. When you preface a statement with "I've been teaching/soaping for 20 years..." people listen to you and they might not wear safety equipment because you don't and well, she's been doing this for 20 years so she should know. I think that is irresponsible on your part. Further, I ASKED you if you use safety equipment and provide it for your students. I never said you didn't. But you never answered that question and only said safety issues are discussed when you teach so I assume now that you don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcrafter Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Wow. I have read other posts from you and you share quite lot of valuable information and seem like a good person. I can only assume you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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