Aluminum near mold

by River
(florida)

Hi, I love your site, and I was wondering if you can help me with a concern?

I recently did a studpid thing with my cold-process soap, and I was wondering if it would still be good.

I know that aluminum reacts with lye. I did not use an aluminum mold, I used a plastic tray mold; however, when I wrapped the mold in a blanket, the board that I used to cover the top of it was a foil cookie sheet.

Even though the foil did not touch the soap at all (about 1.5 inches away from the soap), and it was only wrapped for 2 hours before I realized my mistake, I was wondering if there is still a chance that the aluminum reacted with the lye? Or does the aluminum have to touch the soap in order to react with the lye? What do you think? Should I throw the soap away?
Thanks

Answer:


Sodium Hydroxide reacts with aluminum on contact, essentially dissolving it. I think the main idea behind not using aluminum in soap making is that you could end up dissolving the aluminum pot or utensils right into the soap base. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be good for you!

You may notice a discolouring on the foil sheet...this could occur from the water vapour that comes off the soap...it would contain some sodium hydroxide and would probably react with the aluminum sheet. Some of this moisture may have dripped down onto the soap. I think it would leave a discolourization on the soap.

If this has happened and you see an abnormal discolourization on the surface of the soap, I think I would throw it out...I'm not knowlegable enough on what the effects would be and tend to error on the side of caution.

I would suggest using something else as a protective lid when insulating your soaps from now on.

Hope everything works out well,
Cathy