SOAP MAKING -- WITH WOOD ASHES

jlxian · 02-16-2005, 10:47 AM

With all the wood ashes we have, it occurred to me that I should start making soap. Have any of you done soap making this way?

I know you need a fat source as well, and that would be something I'm guessing you can buy at the meat counter. Any suggestions?

THANKS!

Jean

homesteadmamma · 02-16-2005, 11:49 AM

Soap making is still on my list to do. Here are a couple links that might help you.

http://www.teachsoap.com/recipes.html

http://waltonfeed.com/old/soaphome.html

DaisyLady · 02-16-2005, 07:30 PM

As a soap maker I can offer you one concern about using wood ash to make your own lye. You can not control how consistant the strength of your lye will be. Therefore you won't know what percentage of lye and oil or fat to use in order to get a safe, mild soap. Be prepared to waste a lot of batches.

As for a fat or oil source. Lard or tallow is what you would be looking for in an animal based fat. Oils are vegetable based. You can render your own fat but it is messy and smelly.