Lye Alternative

[LovieDovieAnn]

I have a son that is VERY active and curious. He's into everything all the time. And, due to suspected autism, he has no concept of danger. So telling him that the container of lye is dangerous and he shouldn't touch it wouldn't help a bit. I've had nightmares concerning this. Like, him suffocating to death because he inhaled lye. Morbid, I know. But all moms have that kind of dream now and again. Right? >.>

Anyway, I can't in good conscience bring lye into the house because it's such a danger to him. But I REALLY want to make goats milk soap. So my question is this: What's a good alternative to lye and how would I change my recipe accordingly? I don't want to use a premade or glycerin soap base because of cost and because I want to do this 100% from scratch. Is it even possible?

[Feast Your Eyes]

I'm not a soap maker, but I think this question is addessed in the soap FAQ that is stickied at the top of the board. (The answer was that if you don't have lye, you don't have soap.) Maybe you could get some kind of locking file bin, safe, or cashbox to keep it in so your son can't get into it. If he's old enough to reach keys in a high place and unlock it, you could use a combination lock.

[LovieDovieAnn]

I'm such a bad Craftster. I didn't even read that first. >.<

Anyway, he's old enough to use keys and obsessed with numbers so neither type of lock is really secure enough. Perhaps I'll have to wait a few years. 

[RavingRosemary]

Yeah... I'm afraid Feast is right.  No lye, no soap.  Though if you're not opposed to MP (it doesn't have to be expensive!), your son might have fun making it with you!  It can be a fun family activity, and might fill your crafty needs until he's old enough to keep out of the lye. 

[noturavggeek]

I really would consider giving MP a try, you're still "making soap", just a bit differently . I use the all natural goat milk soap from WSP and it's wonderful.

I do add stearic acid (I know "acid" can be a scary word, but do some research on this!), which I do recommend using in MP soap as I think it makes a longer lasting, better lathering bar. I will say that it should be melted before melting the soap, as it takes a bit to get it to melt, and it also gets quite hot. But it is not something that you're required to add! I also add olive oil and ground up oatmeal, and sometimes scented, sometimes not.

The only other thing I can suggest is find a friend or relative who is also interested in making soap, and make it over at their place when your son isn't there, as well as store the ingredients over there.

[smittenheart]

I totally appreciate your cautiousness when it comes to your son and your new hobby..and lye should be respected..but I did want to say that you can have curious kids and make soap..

My kids both know to not come into my studio unless they ask permission..I think for us it just emphasizes boundaries and respect for my space..you could use some sort of container that has a symbol on it that will teach him that that container is off limits..

Also,though it's cheaper to buy huge quantities..I still buy smaller quantities that are in 2 pound containers..it just works better for us that way..

And remember it's like any other household chemical-bleach,oven cleaners,bathroom cleaners,etc..you keep that safely away from him..it's the same with lye..

[LovieDovieAnn]

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

As far as keeping it out of reach and teaching boundaries goes: Boundaries do not exist with my son. It's part of autism and one of the reasons we're having him tested for it. We can't keep oven cleaner, bleach (I'm allergic anyway), or anything that could potentially be toxic if swallowed in large amounts or he WILL drink it despite putting it away (read: locked in a cabinet and all with child-resistant packaging) and explaining 500 times that it's dangerous. Even our shampoos and conditioners are non-toxic. The only thing that I won't compromise on is soap, but he doesn't eat bar soap for some reason so we're good. >.< He'll be four in a month and still uses his mouth to identify objects for the most part. So, even if he didn't try to drink chemicals, I'd still have to steer clear those kinds of cleaners to avoid long term exposure to harmful chemicals. It's a strange way to live, but I'm getting used to it. : /

For now, we'll try MP. At least it'll be something. And if I put tons of yummy additives it'll be almost like making real soap. haha

[smittenheart]

What's 'non-toxic' shampoo???

BTW..you can buy unscented cold process soap from someone and rebatch it..it's similar to M&P soap but CP instead..then you can add your own goodies!

[Lindylu]

Keep in mind when making MP that you can add too much stuff so do some reading and invest in a high quality MP like noturavggeek  said.

[tinybits]

Actually it IS possible to make soap without lye. There is a method using ash water try to google it. It is more healtier than lye stuff anyway.