1. Prepare grease. Heat accumulated fat and drippings, strain and allow to cool. 2. In a large iron or enameled kettle mix: a. 1 can of lye b. 1 cup pure Borax c. 3 quarts cold water. d. cool then add slowly--4 1/2 lbs warm melted grease. e. pour slowly, water and lye into grease and stir slowly. f. stir, stir, stir-frequently, throughout day with a wooden spoon. 3. When the mix becomes firm and you cannot stir easily-pour out in an old cake pan or equiv. and let it set up. 4. After the mixture sets up-cut into bars or pieces to your liking. 5. To use this soap in the washing machine use about a half cup per load. Do NOT double this recipe. Makes about 13lbs of pure, old fashioned lye soap. Good for everything--from washing behind your ears, to dishes, clothes and anything else that needs cleaning. Real good for washing out mouths that have partook of satans lang- -uage. I know and it didn't taste good either! 6. Beef fat is the one most used, however, hog fat will work just as well. 7. If you want to add perfume-add it at "f" above. You can use oil of sassafrass or about any other you want. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), July 15, 2000

Answers

I forgot to put down what size can of lye. Tried posting yesterday but couldn't get it to accept it. The size can I don't really know but it's about the same size as a 303 can used for veggies. The brand name most common in these neck of the woods is "Red Devil". Also the soap will appear brown probably, if you're using greas drippings. Won't hurt a thing. Ahhhhh, I can still smell the soap. Mom made some at a family reunion 2 years ago. She's still looking for the donut buildin instructions. Will post asap. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), July 17, 2000.

Looks like the instructions that I use. Please remember to age your soap for 3 weeks before you use it! The lye in the soap settles down in the aging process, so you don't get "burned." Using "green", unaged soap is what gave homemade soap such a bad name for harshness!! I usuall set mine on an old oven rack after I sliced it, with a bit of space between each bar, so they get lots of air, and throw a light towel or bit of old sheet over the top, to protect them from dust (we live on a gravel road). In three weeks, it is just as mild as the store bought stuff!

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), July 18, 2000.

Leann, I was told 6 weeks! up to 6 MONTHS!!!! I may get more motivated to get mine done if I can use it in 3!!!!!!!!!

-- Novina in ND (lamb@stellarnet.com), July 19, 2000.

6 months!!!! really? that does seem like an awful long time doesn't it!

-- Misha (MishaaE@aol.com), July 19, 2000.

I have recipes for soap aging that say two weeks, but I think that is pushing it. Others say four to six weeks. No wonder you are discouraged--six MONTHS is a long time to wait on soap! Just be aware that there IS an aging process, and if your new soap seems too harsh, age it for a while longer. It does help.

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), July 19, 2000.

Hi All, I make soap for a living so I use mine and sell mine at 3 weeks I use the taste test about 2 weeks in to the curing I stick my tip of my tongue to it if it tingles NOT DONE if it tastes like soap pretty close but no less then 3 weeks . 3 weeks is GOO, 4 weeks is GREAT and 6 weeks is WONDERFUL. But the longer the soap cures the harder it gets and the longer it lasts!!!! Hope this helps .

-- Catherine frederick (blasttd@madisonville.com), November 16, 2000.

By the way that was GOOD for the 3 weeks not GOO!!!!!!

-- Catherine frederick (blasttd@madisonville.com), November 16, 2000.