INGREDIENTS

• 4 c. soft water
• 1 - 9-1/2 oz. can lye
• 8 c. fat

DIRECTIONS

1. Dissolve lye in cold water, adding lye slowly. Stir.
2. Melt fat at 40 degrees C (110 degrees F.).
3. Lye will heat the water, so cool at 35 degrees C (90 degrees F.).
4. Pour lye solution into fat.
5. Stir with wooden spoon until it is the consistency of honey.
6. Pour into wooden flats lined with thin cotton.
7. Cool. Cut in squares.
8. Use as cakes of soap or grate into flakes for laundry.

Optional: Four tablespoons ammonia and 4 tablespoons Borax may be added to water before the lye. Fat may be drippings from meat or used cooking oil.