MAKIN' SOAP ON THE HOMESTEAD
(Page 2 of 2)
January/February 1972
By Dixie Haywood
After my soap had aged for a little over a week, 1 grated it and mixed nine parts of the soap to one part borax to make eleven pounds of soap flakes. Since our water is very hard, I use one-third cup of washing soda to 1-1/2 cups of soap flakes in my washer and—despite the implications of some detergent ads—I'll compare my wash with anyone's.
RELATED CONTENT
Now I'm saving fat from cooking for the next batch of soap (which will be "all purpose" instead of the thin-lathering saddle soap" made from tallow alone). The fat I'm collecting will have to be washed by bringing it to a boil with an equal amount of water, then removing it from the fire and stirring in one quart of cold water for each gallon of hot liquid. The cold water precipitates cooking debris and the clean fat rises to the top when cool.
Apparently if the above directions are not followed carefully, your ingredients may sometimes separate and not form soap. Don't despair! You can save the mixture by melting it over low heat. Stir the batch during this reheating to keep it from sticking and remember, do not attempt this remelting in an aluminum pan. Add enough water to give the mixture the consistency of thick syrup and boil until soap forms.
The can of lye I used had an offer on the label for more detailed information about soap making free from Pennwalt Corporation, Pennwalt Building, Three Parkway, Philadelphia, Pa. 19102. You'll find substantially the same tips, recipes and instructions accompanying this article.
Page:
<< Previous 1 | 2 |
