How to Make Lye Ash Soap

[RedJohn]

When most of us think about making soap, we probably think of the "old days." Soap making is still very popular, even in our modern times. All soap starts the same way and that is with lye. Lye is a base and is a dangerous substance on its own. You can make lye ash at home and make your own soaps.

Making Lye Water

1. Burn your wood at a high temperature. The wood should be reduced to white ash. Let it cool.
2. Collect the white ash in a sealed container to keep it dry and clean. Use a plastic or ceramic container.
3. Collect rain water or stream water. Bottled water will also work. The less contaminated the water is, the better.
4. Put at least half a bucket full of your collected water on to boil.
5. Place the wood ash in a bucket with a tap or drain hole. Pour half a bucket of hot water over the ash.
6. Add cool water slowly until the water drips from the container. Continue adding more ash and water until the ash floats. Let stand overnight.
7. Drain out the brownish water into a plastic container. Pour this water over the ash mixture again.
8. Drain lye water into a plastic container.

Making Lye Ash

1. Pour lye water into a heavy iron kettle.
2. Boil until all water has evaporated. A dark, dry residue will remain.
3. Heat this until it melts and the black impurities are burned away.
4. Store the grayish-white substance, potash, in a moisture-proof container to prevent it from absorbing moisture.

Making the Soap

1. Start with 18.2 ounces of lye and 2 1/2 pints of water.
2. Dissolve the lye in the cold water. Make sure you pour the lye into the water; adding water to the lye could be explosive or cause harmful fumes.
3. Add 6 pounds of melted or liquid fat. Stir continuously until everything is mixed together.
4. Add any additives, including fragrances, when the mixture begins to thicken. This step is optional and depends on personal preference.
5. Pour mixture into soap molds or a large rectangular container and allow to harden.
6. Unmold the soap. The large container can be cut into bars.
7. Allow soap to "age" for 3 weeks before using. This is essential to the quality of the soap

Tips & Warnings
Lye is a powerful chemical and should be handled with extreme care Always add the lye to the water. Adding water to the lye could be explosive or cause harmful fumes. Always work in a well ventilated area and use gloves and goggles. Keep lye out of reach of children and pets.

[ladyhk13]

RJ in this recipe it says to add fat but it doesn't say what kind. Do you have any idea what to use? Or anyone out there have thoughts on this? Being able to make our own lye is actually a good idea in case it isn't available in the stores later.

[Sniper-T]

awesome post RJ. Old school!

[RedJohn]

RJ in this recipe it says to add fat but it doesn't say what kind. Do you have any idea what to use? Or anyone out there have thoughts on this? Being able to make our own lye is actually a good idea in case it isn't available in the stores later.

I seem to remember that any type of fat will work.

[ladyhk13]

Thanks RJ. This is a great recipe to print off and add to my "book" that I've been putting together. I sure hope ink doesn't keep going up in price!