Four Ways to Make Soap: Re: Where to find lye

» shadow_oz_au - Re: Where to find lye

In response to message posted by TreasuresPlanted:

Lye is a softer way of saying Caustic Soda! with that said it also includes the fluid derived from water and fire ash.

Commercially it is Caustic Soda, I get from supermarket chain stores, not the little corner store. In the USA they use Red Devil, DO NOT USE DRAIN CLEANERS, ie DRAINO in Britain & Australia. Don't know what it's called in the USA. Caustic Soda gives much more consistant results.

Failing that, "tha pioneer way, was ta...
(get a SAFE, not tin, nor aluminium, container, place a filter mesh at the outlet, on the inside of the container..to filter the fluid as it leaves the container) put distilled or at least rain water in the container to about three quarters of the volume, add wood ash (not coal etc) to the container, stirring with a wooden spatula/spoon not metal.). The amount is vague. but when a chicken feather begins to dissolve in the resultant fluid then its strong enough to use for lye in soap making. Now don't laugh this is serious....I have tried it and it does work.. I wouldn't shave with the resultant soap but it was great for dishes and soiled work clothes.
Really serious now, this olde method does produce a strong alkaline solution..KEEP IT AWAY FROM CHILDREN and the feeble minded, it is as strong as commercial lye! Enjoy ya soap making pilgrim..

-- posted by shadow_oz_au