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Distilled Water Soaps

Why do we use distilled water in our soaps?

Distilled water is water that is created through the process of distillation. Distillation is a procedure that involves the removal of contaminants found in freshwater sources, including river, lake, rain, well water, and tap water. The contaminants include inorganic materials, minerals, metals, and more. Although your tap water may be safe to drink and use for bathing purposes, it can include contaminants that are not beneficial for soap making. Water that contains these types of contaminants is often called hard water.

Soap, by definition, is fat or oil mixed with an alkali. The oil comes from an animal or plant, while the alkali is a chemical called lye. In bar soap-making, the lye is sodium hydroxide. Liquid soap requires potassium hydroxide. 

Combining and then heating oil and lye results in soap. This chemical reaction is called saponification. Without lye, saponification isn’t possible, so lye is necessary to create soap. 

A note on Sodium Hydroxide (Known as lye)

Some people are concerned about lye. On its own, this highly corrosive substance can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. However, when done properly, saponification turns lye into soap. No lye will remain in the final product.

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