Some Soaping Safety Tips for Beginners

Soap making? Dangerous? It may sound improbable at first but a lot of experienced makers in the business will tell you to always take that extra step of safety. The combination of heat and chemicals involved in the processes can be ingredients for disaster when beginning soap makers aren't careful. Accidents like fume inhalation, burns or infections can happen. Even professionals who have had years of experience in the business emphasize the use of safety goggles, masks and gloves. Here are a few other precautionary measures:

1. Always prepare materials before usage
Accidents occur most when one is in a fast mode. Beginners often skip through this process when really, it does not only save time but lessen hazardous mixtures from spilling as well. Sodium Hydroxide or caustic soda in its dry state before mixing with water to make lye is a perilous chemical. It can burn or blind the skin or irritate the respiratory system when inhaled.

2. Work in a clean, dry area
Unnecessary heat or pocketed air added to your mixture whether by a humid environment or an unventilated work area can be fatal. If your house doesn't have free flowing air, then it is best to work outside. Good elbow room is also important to avoid spilling anything.

3. Know the reactions of chemicals
Additional research and presence of mind when making soap is a must. While there are some chemicals whose steps of adding can be interchanged, there are some should be followed thoroughly. The making of lye, for instance, is one of those. Caustic soda or Sodium Hydroxide should be poured to the water and not the other way around. Otherwise, your mixture may be burst the same as vinegar and baking soda can cause a volcano effect.

4. Clean materials thoroughly after using
Although homemade soap can use a lot of home items like pots and pans, it is best to disseminate certain items for soap making only. Lye and other additives from the soap may still remain if not properly cleaned and can burn the skin when touched. Or worse, children and pets may take hold of the items and actually ingest the chemicals. Along with your items for scrubbing, one should also keep ready a bar of soap (ironically) and water to rub the lye off in case somebody accidentally has contact with it.