Vintage Descoware Assistance Needed

[sarahperdue]

lye

eye protection and gloves are a must. If you have a respirator with vapor cartridges, I'd wear that too... If you don't have a respirator, don't worry, the smell will let you know you shouldn't breathe it!

In retrospect, I should have mentioned all this earlier. If you do get some on you, rinse with water and vinegar...

It's wonderful stuff when you need it, but very caustic. Now that I look back on it, I was about thirteen the first time I used it--to mop a floor. I don't remember my grandmother giving me any special instructions, she just handed me a can of Red Devil, a mop and a bucket.

Do not use it on aluminum

Sarah

 

[launderess]

Lye can be very difficult to find nowadays.

Our local True Value hardware store has it on shelves, but many other local hardware stores either have quit stocking, and or it is locked away requiring someone to fetch.

Remember reading label from a lye container that gave directions for making soap. While interesting reading, am not going to try that at home.

 

[sarahperdue]

Lye soap

My husband used to make lye soap with lard and coconut oil. It's one of the mildest, best soaps I've ever used, even on my face. Alas, we are at a standstill. He accidentally made a batch with rancid lard, and it smells like chitlins. None of us will use it. I think even he gave up on it, but he won't toss it, and he won't make more until it's gone.

So, the boys and I buy face and body soaps. My husband travels a lot and uses the soaps he brings home from hotels.

Anyway, the lye and oils go through a process called saponification, and it is no longer caustic once the chemical reaction is complete.

S