I am in need of a soap receipe that does not include lye. There have been major drug busts around our area lately and when I went to the hardware store to pick up a case of lye I had orderd, I got grilled by the police.I was totally embarressed.Anyway I left the lye there and do not wish to return. Any suggestions? I also like to make vegeatable based soap if that matters.

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), October 19, 2001

Answers

I have yet to make my first batch of soap...one of the reasons was finding lye. I did finally run across some in the Albertson grocery store here in south central MO...so I don't know if that chain is in you area; but if there is one you could go see. I have a basic vegtable soap recipe that is in the book, 'Milk-Based Soaps' by Casey Makela---however, it calls for lye

-- Lacey (cddllt@webtv.net), October 19, 2001.

About all you can do without lye is melt and pour or rebatching. Anything else, to the best of my knowledge, uses lye.

Take care,

-- Judy L. (quiltjude@iwon.com), October 19, 2001.

Michaele, I believe that you can purchase lye from Lehmans Catalog. It is more expensive but, it is a way to get some. Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), October 19, 2001.

Get hold of a copy of the Foxfire series of books. Shows how to make an ash crib and how to leach the lye from wood ashes and how to check its strength with a goose feather.

-- Sandra Nelson (Magin@starband.net), October 19, 2001.

Micheale-I know its embaressing-And I'm pretty shy so I fully empathize, but I'd just go back and pick up the case of Lye! Your not breaking any laws-just invite the cops out to your place to watch you make soap-then they'll know your, er, clean.

We have a similar problem here with OTC Cold medications-apparently they make meth-anphetimines or some such with it. We can't buy more than three bottles/packages at one time-Which if you buy one kind for your teen and one pediatric for your baby and one adult for your husband-there you are. I just buy small amounts at different stores so I'll have some on hand if I need it. I HATE this-it makes me feel sneaky, and all I'm trying to do is look after my family.

-- Kelly inKy (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), October 19, 2001.

Dear Micheale,

Sorry to hear about your trouble with the police, I agree that you should go get your lye and if need be explain what you intend to do with it. There is no law against making soap or owning lye.

In regards to your question, you must use lye to make soap. I make vegetable based and animal fat soaps. The fats need to be combined with an alkaline (lye) in order to become soap. The process is called saponification.

Making your own soap is to much fun and to good for your skin to let anyone discourage you from doing it. So get your lye and have fun.

-- Kathy (jubilant@ncweb.com), October 19, 2001.

I second the motion that you need to go back and get the lye. I buy mine by the can, not the case, for the same reason. I seem to be living in "Meth lab Heaven" and anyone who purchases large quantities of lye, acetone, cold meds, and other chemicals are subject to rousting by the local authorities. I also have a grow light going that is visible from the road and fully expect to have to show them my African violets one of these days. I figure I have nothing to hide and relish seeing the look on their faces when I do show them my handiwork. The only way to fight this sort of blanket assumption is to continue doing what we do. It's not even close to illegal to have lye in your posession. Until it is, I will continue making my goat's milk soap.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), October 20, 2001.

Try this sight. Someone posted it a long time ago and it has different soap making ideas on there that may help you. http://waltonfeed.com/old/soaphome.html Hope it helps. The main one to that sight is http://waltonfeed.com/old/index.html It is also a fun sight to check out. Jenn

-- jenn (normaj3@countrylife.net), October 21, 2001.

Thank God you weren't buying anything you couldn't live without!! Big brother stinks and thinks we should too. And so what if you are a druggie. Die then!! Just stay home to do so.

-- Michael D , NC (DisinthHouse@aol.com), August 01, 2002.