I started my soap making adventure back in the early 1990s. My first batch was plain lye soap. Back then I could make a year’s worth of soap for about $8. I have continued to make soap for many years. A few years back I took some of my soap to the flea market where I was selling books. I sold a lot of soap. People especially liked my soap in the spring when they were clearing undergrowth or cutting down trees and had the possibility of coming in contact with poison ivy. They told me they would wash in lye soap and they would not break out. I have never broken out from contact with poison ivy so I do not know if it works.
I am not sure where I got this recipe but the first recipe I got came from a magazine called Gentle Spirit.
Plain Old Fashioned Lye Soap
1 can Red Devil lye (10 and 3/4 oz. can)
2 1/2 pints of distilled water in a glass jar
10 cups lard or beef tallow (I have always used lard for this recipe)
Slowly pour the lye into the water (remember it will get very hot) Do not breathe this!!!
Set in the glass jar into cold water to cool down or set aside away from children.
Measure the lard and melt slowly on low. It will be easier to cool to the right temperature if you do not overheat.
If it is not getting thick after stirring a while then leave it alone for 10 minutes or so and stir some more. Usually, I have no trouble with this one it traces very fast.
After it traces pour it into your mold (I use a box lined with plastic) and cover with a board and blanket and set in a warm place for 24 hours. Uncover it if it is set then turn it out on a protected surface. It will eat up your table if you do not protect it well! Cut with a sharp knife and allow it to cure for two weeks. It will now be ready to use.
