Important: Safety Warning
This page directs the use of hazardous substances — such as benzine, gasoline, lye, or strong acids — for household tasks. These materials are highly flammable, corrosive, or poisonous, and the practices described have caused fires, burns, and poisonings.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Home › Contributions From Friends On Household Economy › Another Way (For one barrel of soap take)
Another Way (For one barrel of soap take)
For one barrel of soap, take thirty pounds of grease, free from salt, rinds or bits of lean meat, and the lye from two barrels of good ashes. Put one quart of lime in the bottom of each barrel of ashes. Put boiling water on to leach with; have ready the soap barrel where it is to stand. When the lye begins to run, melt the grease in a little lye and pour it in the barrel. Heat the lye and fill it full, stirring frequently until cold. I always use the stove kettle, as that is free from rust, which makes white cloth yellow. Soap made in this way will be very lightcolored and thick, and requires but little labor in making. If the lye is not strong enough to eat the grease, boil it awhile. - Mrs. A. G.