Top 5 places to find Sodium Hyroxide (Lye) for Soap Making

   When I first started making soap it was easy to find lye.  The little Red Devil can was sitting next to all the other drain cleaners in the grocery store.  Twelve years later it isn't quite as easy to find. Stores no longer carry it and buying it from the internet often requires confusing hazmat fees.  So here are a few places I have found Sodium Hydroxide (lye) at decent prices.

1) Lowe's carries Roebic Drain Cleaner it is 2lb and costs $13.60 at my local Lowe's in Spokane, Wa

2) The General Store in Spokane, Wa carries  1lb containers for around $5.00, but that is only good if you live near me.  Check out your local feed, automotive, or general type stores, just make sure it is 100% sodium hydroxide.

3)The Chemistry Store carries sodium hydroxide in 2lb ($10.00), 25lb ($72.00), and 55lb ($105.40) containers.  The shipping is pretty high depending on where you live.  Shipping to me would cost around $15 for the 2lb container, and $60 for the 55lb container.

4)The Essential Depot sells lye 8lbs for $12.49. This lye is food grade and one of the best prices I have seen. Where I live the shipping would be $ 13.04.


5.Amazon.com offers the best prices I have found online. They have a wide variety of lye including Red Devil and Essential Depot. They have food grade as well. The prices range from $4 for one lb to $95 for 50lb.