Precautions for Safe Use
Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is an indispensable ingredient in cold saponification.
However, handling it requires special precautions, especially if you’re new to the process.
This article will guide you step-by-step through the safe use of caustic soda, while reassuring you about the best practices to adopt.
Whether you use soda in microbeads or liquid form, here’s everything you need to know for a safe and serene experience.
1. Understanding Risks and Equipping Yourself accordingly
Caustic soda is a highly corrosive substance, which can cause severe irritation or burns on contact with the skin, eyes or respiratory tract.
To protect yourself effectively, follow these safety precautions:
– ALWAYS wear sturdy rubber gloves to avoid direct contact with soda ash.
– ALWAYS use safety goggles to protect your eyes from splashes.
– Cover up completely with long-sleeved clothing, pants and closed shoes.
– Work in a well-ventilated area or wear a mask to avoid inhaling vapours.
– Keep children and pets away from your work area, and store soda ash out of their reach.
2. Common Sense: Pour the soda into the liquid, never the other way around.
When preparing your soda solution, it’s crucial to always pour the caustic soda into the liquid, and not the other way round.
Pouring water over the soda can cause dangerous splashes.
By following this simple rule, you can considerably reduce the risk of accidents.
3. Temperature control: a tip for greater safety
Mixing caustic soda with water causes an exothermic reaction, i.e. it releases heat, which can rapidly raise the temperature of the liquid.
To avoid this, place your soda solution container in a larger bowl filled with cold water.
This will control the temperature and ensure safer handling.
4. Working with Special Ingredients: Be Careful
If you’re an experienced soap-maker and want to replace water with liquids such as goat’s milk, beer or others, be even more vigilant.
The sugar contained in these ingredients can raise the temperature very quickly, risking burning the sugar and damaging the active ingredients.
The trick of a cold water bain-marie (you can even add ice cubes) is particularly useful here to control this rise in temperature.
5. Material: Beware of Aluminium
Avoid using aluminum containers or utensils.
Caustic soda reacts with aluminum, which can damage the material and lead to dangerous reactions.
Prefer glass, resistant plastic or stainless steel for handling lye.
6. Planète Savons product safety
At Planète Savons, we take the safety of our customers very seriously.
That’s why all our bottles of washing soda and microbeads are fitted with a tamper-proof cap, guaranteeing optimum safety during use and storage.
7. What to do in the event of an accident
Despite all precautions, accidents can still happen.
Here’s what to do:
- Skin contact: First gently wipe the affected area, then rinse with plenty of water.
Remove contaminated clothing and seek prompt medical attention. - Eye contact: Immediately flush eyes with clean water or saline solution and seek urgent medical attention.
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, as this may cause further internal burns.
Immediately call for medical assistance.
8. European Emergency Numbers
In case of emergency, here are the poison control numbers for several European countries:
- Belgium: 070 245 245
- France: 01 40 05 48 48 (Paris poison control center, valid for all of France)
- Germany: 030 19240 (Berlin poison control center)
- Netherlands: 030 274 88 88
- Luxembourg: +352 8002 5500
- Spain: +34 91 562 04 20 (National Institute of Toxicology)
- Switzerland: 145 (Swiss Toxicological Information Center)
- Italy: 06 305 4343 (Rome Poison Control Center)
- United Kingdom: 0845 4647 (NHS Direct)
Conclusion
Caustic soda is a powerful but indispensable ingredient for making homemade soaps.
If you follow the proper precautions and adopt the right reflexes, you can use it safely and confidently.
Don’t hesitate to contact Planète Savons if you have any further questions. We’re here to help you with your soap-making creations.