Workspace:
Have a designated workspace with enough clear space to move around. You can clear out your kitchen counter or use your dining area too. Having a space without clutter, is important to focus on all the processes involving soap making.
If you are making soap in a kitchen, remove all food products or appliances and have a clear working space. Be careful not to have any pellet or chip of lye getting into any small gaps.
Work in a well ventilated area to let the fumes of lye disperse easily.
Avoid working outdoors, as an unexpected breeze or wind blowing can prove to be dangerous.
Always keep walkways clear.
Secure pets so they don’t invade your workspace, and have someone watch small children while you are making soap. Be sure you aren’t expecting company, or phone calls for the next hour because you’ll be unable to walk away from your recipe once lye meets oil.
Tools:
Always use stainless steel containers for soap making. Though glass is also considered safe, it can break or crack under heat while mixing lye. It is also difficult to handle glass while working with oil, as it can get slippery.
Aluminum SHOULD NOT be used as lye can react with aluminum.
Use containers, ladles, whisks and immersion blenders made of stainless steel and moulds made of approved heat-resistant plastic or silicon.
*Cooking implements that have been used for soap-making should never again be used for food purposes. I recommend that you buy these containers and use only for soap making.
Protective gear:
Making soap from scratch requires additional gear to avoid chemical burns. Wear long sleeves and gloves which don’t allow skin to show on the arm or wrist. Eye protection such as safety glasses or goggles can be worn for extra precaution to keep errant drops of lye water from damaging your vision.
You can wear a mask while adding lye to water as fumes are released for a few seconds. Have a window open to let the fumes disperse but make sure there is no direct breeze blowing in.
Happy Soaping!
