Homemade Lye Soap
By
Pat Campbell
@fillemup
1
Run across this recipe while trying to clean out some old handwritten recipes and trying to decide what to keep. I have never made soap myself, but have watched my grannie make it years ago. Am going to try this when it cools off some outside, dont think I want to mix it up in house.The recipe calls for pure white, salt free lard. Can you still buy (lard in grocery store)? My grannie done laundry, in old wringer type washer and tubs, she was very proud of them. She also washed her hair with lye soap and had beautiful long, shiny hair. Remember a few times had mouth washed with lye soap.
Ingredients
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5 lbpure white, salt free lard
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2 ptwater
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1 can(s)lye
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1/2 boxborax
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1/2 cammonia
How to Make Homemade Lye Soap
- Melt and strain lard through colander. Dissolve lye in water in crock. Do not handle lye or inhale vapor. Stir lye and water until thoroughly dissolved, Being sure to stir lye into the water, and not dumping water onto lye in the crock.
- Add warm melted lard to lye water. Stir evenly and constantly till somewhat thickened. Then add borax and ammonia. Stir slowly for 5 minutes till well mixed and thick, like honey.
- This may be left in crock to harden or poured into wooden box lined with cloth, (such as linen or cheesecloth). When solid, cut into cakes or bars as desired.
Since I have not made soap myself, wonder if possible to add scented oils. My grannie washed her hair with lavender scented lye soap. Just wondering if anyone out in Just A Pinch Kingdom knows.
