making home made soap

7/28/2019 Making Home Made Soap

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A Garden Way Guide by PHY


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COPYRIGHT @ IOf4 BY GARDEN WAY PUBLISHINGAll rights rwrvbng, pan of this reproduced in any fsfmwithout pmniarion in vvfiting from I except by feviswsf whowishes to quote brief pasag in eonncnion with ii review written for in-clusisn in magazine or newrpapef.library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 74-75461lSBN Q-88266-CM-8Fourth Printing, Nay 1977Drawings and Typography by Frank LiebermanPRINTED IN THE UNliTED STATES


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locker and doesnt realize how much of the animal is beingwasted. From even a small, fairly lean calf a butcher trimsand disca& je to 1~ pounds of fat, *-AL-C. -*.nId haWIIILII L. Ukrendered into a pure white, hard tallow. Larger, fatteranimals will provide even more.This tallow can be converted into enough soap to last afamily until the next butchering time. It also may be used tomake candles. Weve included recipes fot both.In addition to tallow, leftover kitchen grease which isunfit for anything else can be used for soap-making.Different kinds of fats may be mixed, and even sttong-smelling or rancid grease will make perfectly good, sweet-smelling soap.Candles require clean, hard fat - preferably beeftallow which produces a harder, cleaner-smelling candle.Properly made homemade candles have no offensive odor.

Many of the enclosed recipes are more than a centuryold and a few date back more than 200 years. To preserve


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their character we have retained the original wording asmuch as possible.Some of the methods no longer may be practical, and afw of the ww=Gnac hayer;rrp.z ban inr!gded as oddities.-B..Wherever possible, we have clarified terms and simplifiedmethods, but some of the ingredients no longer may beavailable, and you may find it necessary to makesubstitutions or improvise methods in some cases.For practicality, a few modern recipes such as SimpleKitchen Soap and Boiled Kitchen Soap have been included.

soap is o&c of the few wayserally ean~makesomethinis a thrifty way to makeproduct of meat. Ir can be ones personal contributiontoward cleaning out polluted waters by eliminating onemajor source of the phosphate from todays detergents.With a few simple kitche:i tools, ingredients youprobably already have un hand and a few hours work, youcan make a months supply of cleaning soap. Its a good ideato make soap once or twice a year because soap, like wine,improves with age. /The simplest and chespest type is plain yellow laundrysoap, the kind that made Grandmothers sheets so sparklingwhite. But with the addstion of a few inexpensiveingredients you can create fine toilet soaps too.


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ients are used to make soap cleanter or to perfume the product. Mostrocery or drug stores. A few, suchas the essences and oils used in scented toilet soaps, can bepet&cd in hnhhw &~pc whirh rarru crrnnlimc fnr making-- --- ---u-z w -w---w-- W M.. p ewrT..w .-.soaps and candles.Powdered borax is sold in grocery stores as a watersoftener. Potash lye is on the same shelf labeled draincleaner. Quick lime or ground limestone may be found ingarden supply shops. Most drug stores carry resin or willorder it for you.The instru~tionsaresimple. Most of the inreadily available. It% even possible

CAUTION!!!Commercial lyes, potash iye and soda lye - evendampened wood ashes - are EXTREMELY caustic and cancause burns if splashed on the skin. They could causeblindness if spattered in the eye.Use caution when adding lye to cold water, whenlye water and when pouring the liquid soap intoIf it is spilled on the skin, wash off immediately withcold water. Wash off any lyeor green (uncured) soap spilledon furniture or counter tops.h some of the old recipes didnt say so, alwaysadd lye to COLD water, never to hot water@ because the


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chemical action heats the cold waterh fumes which areck and avert thee use of a draft vent ise of these dangers, it is best to keep smallchildren from the roor3 whiie so is being made.

in smaller quantiti

A kitchen grater or a meatke soap flakes for laundry use or taf the later recipes.thes used flat wooden boxes or


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ttles wark just as well and are much cheaper.- Same recipe call for a plate on which to codof the liquid from time to time to test forrandmother preferred a glass plate because itcoded the liquid faster.

rnE There are only three ingredients in piain soap - animal fat,INGREDIENTS lye and water. Any other in redients are ts improve thethe soap skin-softening qualities or

nts can be sbtained free ifad of money. Unwantedking at butcher shops orhat you want it for. A fewhours over low heat (wood for an out&w fire often is freefor the chopping) and you have all the fat needed for ayears supply sf soap.And save the ashes from that fire. Youll need them tomake the lye - also free. For recipes that call far soft water


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rain ~ater~~herni~al~~ s~ft~n@d water or borax added totap wa?er.TO PREPARE Cut up beef suet, mutton tallow or pork scraps and fry overTALLOW OR GREASE grease through a coarse ctothas possible out of the scraps. If

it was made for this step.at by boiling it in water to whichalum has been added. Add twice as0 minutes. Stir thoroughly andcold it will have formed a hardof fat and serapewn aceordin

TO MAKE POTASH allon barrel or tub (only wood wilt do) with a faucetLYE FROM ASHES bottom, and makea filter insidearound the mouthof the faucet with several bricks or stones covered withstraw. fill the tub with wood ashes. Ashes from oak woodst lye and those from apple wood make

When the tub is full pour boilin water over the ashesuntil water ns to run from the ucet. Then shut thefaucet and I ashes soak. As they settle, add more ashesuntil the tub is full a tands before being drawn off theEbe. Usually a few ho will beenough.10 lye need nst always the same, since


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ali will unite only with a certaind more lye can be added until all the fatthat will float a fresh e is standardg barrel or do not want that largea quantity, you may use a porcelain-covered or plastic pail.Fill the pail with ashes and add boilithe ashes. The ashes will settle to I

water, stirring to wetban one-fourth theiroriginal volume. Add ashes to the top of the pail, stir againand let stand for 12 to 24 hours, or until the liquid is clear.Then carefully urb dip or siphon off the clear liquid.

LyeB lye Water, Potash Lye (ssmetimes termed CausticPotasb Lye) - are made from steeped (slaked) wood ashesand are interchangable terms.Qsometimes call Caustic Potash) - is lye waterto a powder.Lime [or Stone Lim- is lime that has been baked.is quicklime slaked in water and heatedwith sz4 soda.Sal Soda - sodium carbonate.Caustic Soda - lye evaporated ts a powder.Commercial Lye - usually is the same as caustic sodaand is the equivalent of Yyerr in most recipes.


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POTASH

TO MAKESODA LYE

COMArlERCIAlLYE

THEMETHODS

made by boiling down the lye water in ale. After the water is driven off there willry residue which is known as black salts.maintained until this is melted, when theblack impurities wiii be burned away and a grayish-whiteSGbStiZiCX *iii remain . This is pctarh. Save what you dontuse for the next time you make soap.1 quart of quicklime with 3 quarts water, whieh wille the lime to the consistency of cream. Dissolve 3ater. Add the slakedtureat a boil until the

n pour off thettsm. Caustic soday boiling down the lyeuntil the water is evaporated, and a dry residue is left in thekettle.Most eommereial lyes are caustic soda. CBne can ofcommercial lye may be substituted for the one pound of lyefor in most of the follov&To make any soap it is necessary to dilute lye, then mix itwith fat or oil and stir until saponification takes place,Saponification is the chemical reaction by which theients - lye water and fat - are converted intoone substance - soap.


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ified when they are thick andy texture. They do not hardenand are ready to use at this stage.Uncooked.hard soaps are rea y to be poured intomolds when the emulsion has thickened to the consistencyof honey. Boiled hard soaps have saponified when themixture is thick and r~py and slides off the spoon.if lye water and fat are mixed when they are cold, theay require several days or evenpan the strength and purity of theemperature is raised to 212 degrees,ificatisn will take place in a fewThese are the two meths

products, soft soap and hard soap.

SOFT SOAPCOLD One of the simplest of the old, traditional recipes forPROCESS homemade soap calls for 12 pounds of fat, 9 pounds ofpotash and 12 gallons of water.Put the fat in a tight cask or barrel and add the potashwhich has been dissolved in 3 gallons af water. Once a dayfor the next 3 days add 3 gallons boiling water and stirorously for about 3 minutes* With a long stick or paddlekept in the mixture stir it several times a day.


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snth or so the soap will be free from lumps anduniform jelly-like csnsisteney. When stirred itand will trail off in slender threadsen the soap is ready to use. It shouldbe kept in a cowered container.MORE RECIPES Mix in a kettle or wash boiler 8 pounds of melted greaseFOR SOFf SOAP- with 18 quarts of strong lye water that will float a fresh egg.COLD PROCESS a hoi!, pour into the soap barrel and thin with weakr obtained by leaching wood ashes. Place the barrelout of doors in a warm place. The soap should be ready tofew weeks.

unds clear, melted ase, 4 pounds sat sodaailsns hot water in the soap barrel. Stir once a dayxture stand until completely saponified.ORMelt8 pounds grease in a kettle and bring to theboiling point. In another kettle melt 8 pounds caustic sodaand 1 pound sat soda in 4 gallons soft water. Pour atlether into a 40-gallon cask. Fill up the cask with softwater, stir daily and let the mixture stand until saponified.ORMix 6 pounds potash, 4 pounds lard and ?A poundpowdered rosin and allow the mixture to stand for oneweek. Then melt in a kettle with 2 or 3 gallons sf water. Pourthe mixture into a IO-gallon cask filled with soft water andstir two or three times a day for two weeks.


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ORPut into a kettle % pound sat soda and 1 pound brownsoap cut into shavings. Add 12 quarts of cold water, meltover low heat and stir until dissolved. It is ready for use assoon as it is cool.

BOILING Soft soap also may be made by boiling diluted causticPROCESS potash lye or lye from leached ashes with grease untilsaponification takes place. To do this put the grease in thesoap kettle, add sufficient lye water in which to melt thegrease without burning and continue to ladle in additionallye until all the grease is saponified. This will happen morequickly if the lye water is hot.If too much lye is added the soap will have stroncaustic properties. Then more grease must be added to takeup the excess lye.As the lye is added gradually and combined with thegrease, the thick liquid will become stringy and turbid. Itwill fall from the paddle with a shining luster. A ladleful oflye should be added at regular intervals until the liquidbecomes clarified in a uniformly clear slime.To test for doneness put a few drops from the middle ofthe kettle on a plate to cool. if the soap remainsclear whencool it is done. If there is a great deficiency of lye the drop ofsoap will be weak and gray. If the deficiency is not so greatthere may be a gray margin around the outside of the drop.

If too much lye has been added a gray skin will spread overthe whole drop. It will not be sticky, but while wet can be


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slid easily along the plate. In this case the soap is overdoneand more grease must be added.The froth that rises as the mixture cooks is caused by anexcess of water, and the soap must be kept on the fire untilthis is evaporated. Beat the froth with the paddle to admitair. When the froth ceases to rise, the soap falls lower in thekettle and tak on a darker color. White bubbles appear onc one over the other, with a p guliar sound. Thesoap is talkin . it is ready for us

MORE RECIPES Dissolve 8 pounds potash in a large iron po? with 3 or 4FOR SOFT SOAP- gallons water brought to a boil. Melt 8 pounds clarified fatBOILING PROCESS to the boiling point in a separatevessel. Put 4 gallons boilingwater in a soap barrel and add first 1 quart hot fat and then tquart hot lye. Continue this - one stirring briskly whileanother adds ingredients - until fat and lye are all used.Novv pour in enough boiling water ts fill the barrel,stirring constantly until the whole becomes a creamyemulsion with a uniform appearance. Let the barrel standtwo months in a cool place tit completely saponified.OR

Dissolve 1 pound potash in 1 gallon cold water. Let itstand overnight and in the morning bring to a boil and add


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10 ounces pure, clarified melted grease. Place this in a tubwith l%i gallons warm water. Mix well and allow to standuntil saponified.ORMelt 4 pounds clear fat in one kettle and dissolve 4pounds caustic potash in 6 quarts cold water in another.Pour 2 gallons soft water, boiling hot, into a clean tub orbarrel and ladle into this the melted fat and the dissolvedpotash alternately, one person ladling and another stirring,until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Add boilingwater each day, 2 gallons at a time, stirring vigorously eachtime, until it uals 16 gallons. Place the barrel in a cellar orother cost place and occasionally stir it for three minutes.ORHard soap may be reduced to the consistency of softsoap by dissolving it in water. Shave the hard soap fine orrun it through a meat grinder. Add twice its bulk of softwater and simmer with gentle heat until the soap isdissolved or let stand in cold water two or three days.

HARD SOAPThe old-fashion method of making hard soap is similar tothat of making soft soap by boiling, but with the additionalsteps taken to separate water, glycerin, excess alkali andother impurities from the true soap.

This method requires three kettles - two small kettlesto hold the lye and the fat respectively and one large


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enough to contain both ingredients without boiling over.Put the clean, grained fat or the grease in one of thesmaller kettles with enough water or weak lye to preventburning, and raise the temperature to a boil. Put the lyewater or a solution of sat soda or potash or both in the othersmall kettle and dissolve in boiling water.Place the large kettle on the fire and ladle into it aboutone-fourth of the melted fat. Add an equal quantity of thehot lye, stirring the mixture constantly. Continue this way,one person ladling and another stirring, until about two-thirds of the fat and lye have been mixed thoroughlytogether.At this stage the mixture should be a uniform emulsionof about the consistency of cream. A few drops of fluidcooled on a glass plate should show neither globules of oilnor water separately.Now add enough strong lye to complete thedecomposition of the fats and the removal of the glycerin.Continue boiling until the mixture has a strong alkaline orburning taste. Add the remainder of the fat and lyealternately, taking care that in the end there shall be noexcess lye.Up to this point the process is similar to boiling softsoap, and it is only necessary to evaporate the excess waterby a boiling-down process.The important difference in making hard soap is the

addition at this point of salt. This is the means by which thecreamy emulsion of oils and alkali is broken up. The salt has8


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a stronger+ inity for water than has soap. Therefore the salttakes the water and causes the soap to separate and rise onthe surface of the lye in a curdy, granulated state. Themother liquid or spent lye will contain glycerin, salt andother impurities, but no fat or alkali. Skim off the soap.

TO IMPROVE A better quality soap may be made by remelting theHARD SOAP product of the first boiling and adding more fats or oils andlye as needed until the mixture has a decided taste of alkali.Then boil the whole until saponification is complete.If pure grained fat and good white lye are used theresulting product will be a pure, white, hard soap that willbe suitable for allehold purposes. The time requiredfor this final step will depend on the strength of the lye, butusually from two to four hours of boiling is necessary.

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TO PACK When hard soap has saponified pour the honey-thickAND PRESERVE mixture into molds or shallow wooden boxes, over whichHARD SOAP loose pieces of cloth have been placed to keep the soapfrom sticking. Or soap may be cooled and solidified bypouring it into a washtub or firkin which has been soakedovernight in water. Never pour the soap into an aluminumcontainer. Cover with towels or a throw rug to keep theheat in. Let set two to three days.When cold the soap may be cut into small bars with asmooth, hard cord or a fine wire. A knife may be used but itchips the soap. Now pack the bars loosely, corncob fashion,


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so air will circulate freely, on slat shelves in a cool, dry placeto season and become thoroughly dry and hard.Be careful! Uncured or green soap is almost ascaustic as wet lye. Wear rubber gloves when handling thehardened soap until it has been aged a few weeks.

VW._..I --_ _

HARD SOAP RECIPESSIMPLE Dissolve 1 can commercial lye in 5 cups cold water. The

KITCHEN union of lye and water generates great heat, so be carefulSOAP not to splash it on your skin. Stir until dissolved. Cool to 80degrees. Meanwhile mix 2 tablespoons each powderedborax and liquid ammonia in 1/ cup water. Melt 6 poundsclarified grease, strain and cool to body temperature. Pourthe warm grease into the lye water and beat the mass withan egg beater, gradually adding the borax and ammoniamixture. Stir until a complete emulsion is formed, about IOto 15 minutes. Pour into a mold to cool.ORMelt 5% pounds grease and strain through a coarsecloth. Allow the grease to cool, but before it hardens add 1


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can commercial lye dissolved in 3 pints cold water. Stirvigorously until the mixture thickens. Let stand five to sixdays in molds.BOILED HARD Dissolve 1 pound potash lye in 1 gallon cold water. LetWHITE SOAP mixture stand overnight, then pour the clear liquid into a

second gallon of boiling water and bring it to a boil. Pour ina thin stream 4 pounds melted fat heated to the boilingpoint. Stir constantly until an emulsion is formed. Simmerfour to six hours, then add another gallon of hot water inwhich is dissolved 1 cup salt. To test for doneness, lift someof the mixture on a cold knife blade. If it is ropy and clearand cools quickly, the mixture is saponified. This makesabout 25 pounds white soap.ORDissolve 1 pound potash in 10 quarts cold water. Addslowly 3 pounds melted grease; heat, stirring constantly.Add ?4 pound borax. Boil and stir until saponified. Thistakes four to five hours.ORDissolve 1 pound potash in 2 quarts cold water. Heat,add 5 pounds melted grease, stirring constantly. Let stand24 hours. Add 1 gallon boiling water, set over low heat andboil and stir until saponified.ORTo 15 pounds melted lard or suet add slowly 6 gailonslye water. Boil slowly over low heat, stirring. To test fordoneness take out a little and allow to cool. If no grease


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rises to the top and liquid hardens it is done. If grease risesadd lye and boil longer. When done add 3 quarts salt andboil up again, then remove from heat. Pour into molds.BOILEDKITCHEN

SOAP

BABBITSPREMIUMSOAP

SODASOAPRECIPES

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Dissolve 21%pounds commercial lye in 5 quarts cold water,stirring carefully so as not to splash. Cool slightly, then add10 pounds tallow. Bring to a boii over low heat and boil,stirring, until it saponifies, Pour into molds and let set oneweek before turning out. This soap should be aged three tofour weeks before using. It is best after several months,To make about 100 pounds of soap, mix 5 gallons lye waterin 5 gallons soft water and bring to a boil. Boil ?A our. Thenadd 5 pounds tallow, 1 pound potash, 2 pounds sat soda, !!pound resin, 1 pint salt and 1 pint ammonia. Boil until itsaponifies, stirring constantly. Pour into molds.Dissolve 3 pounds sat soda in 1?4 gallons soft water. Slakeseparately in a stone vessel 2 pounds fresh quicklime in 2quarts soft water. Stir to the consistency of cream. Bring thesoda solution to a boil, pour in the slaked lime in a thinstream, let the mixture boil up well, remove from fire andlet stand overnight to settle.Carefully pour the clear liquid into another pot so asnot to disturb the sediment. Discard sediment. Melt 3pounds grease with a little water and add 4 ounces borax.Pour in the soda lye in a thin stream, stirring constantly. Boiluntil saponified.


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rises to the top and liquid hardens it is done. If grease risesadd lye and boil longer. When done add 3 quarts salt andboil up again, then remove from heat. Pour into molds.BOILEDKITCHEN

SOAP

BABBITSPREMIUMSOAP

SODASOAPRECIPES

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Dissolve 21%pounds commercial lye in 5 quarts cold water,stirring carefully so as not to splash. Cool slightly, then add10 pounds tallow. Bring to a boii over low heat and boil,stirring, until it saponifies, Pour into molds and let set oneweek before turning out. This soap should be aged three tofour weeks before using. it is best after several months,To make about 100 pounds of soap, mix 5 gallons lye waterin 5 gallons soft water and bring to a boil. Boil ?A our. Thenadd 5 pounds tallow, 1 pound potash, 2 pounds sal soda, !!pound resin, 1 pint salt and 1 pint ammonia. Boil until itsaponifies, stirring constantly. Pour into molds.Dissolve 3 pounds sal soda in 1?4 gallons soft water. Slakeseparately in a stone vessel 2 pounds fresh quicklime in 2quarts soft water. Stir to the consistency of cream. Bring thesoda solution to a boil, pour in the slaked lime in a thinstream, let the mixture boil up well, remove from fire andlet stand overnight to settle.Carefully pour the clear liquid into another pot so asnot to disturb the sediment. Discard sediment. Melt 3pounds grease with a little water and add 4 ounces borax.Pour in the soda lye in a thin stream, stirring constantly. Boiluntil saponified.


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LABOR-SAVING Dissolve 2 pounds soda lye and 2 pounds yellow bar soapSOAP (cut in thin slices) in IO quarts water. Boil two hours, then

ORDissolve 6 pounds sal soda in 295gallons soft water and,in separate vessel, slake 1 pound fresh quicklime in Zquartssoft water. Bring the soda solution to a boil, pour in the limein a thin stream. Let stand overnight. Pour off the clear sodalye*

Dissolve 6 pounds grease in the soap kettle. Pour in thesoda lye in a thin stream and boil until saponified.ORSlake 3 pounds fresh quicklime with 3 quarts water.Dissolve 3 pounds sal soda in 2 gallons water. Mix theseingredients in a tub or wash boiler. Add 2 gallons boilingwater, stirring vigorously. When the sediment has settled,pour off the clear liquid into the soap kettle and add 2pounds melted grease, pouring in a thin stream and stirringvigorously. Add 2 ounces borax. Boil slowly for 10 to 15minutes. The mixture should become thick and stringy.ORDissolve 4 bars shaved yellow soap in 2 gallons softwater. Add 2 pounds sal soda and 4 ounces borax. Boil andstir vigorously until the ingredients are thoroughlyincorporated. Pour the soap into a wooden tub previouslysoaked in water. Just before it sets, add 1Yi ounces liquidammonia, stirring thoroughly. Allow three or four days toharden. Cut in bars, pack and cure.


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strain. Clothes soaked overnight in a solution using thissoap need no rubbing. Merely rinse them out and they willbe clean and white.SPECIAL SOAPS

ROSIN Dissolve 6 pounds sal soda and 6 pounds quicklime in 10SOAP quarts water. Boil 28 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat andallow sediment to settle. Draw off clear soda lye, bring it to aboil and add 1 pound powdered rosin and? pounds meltedfat. Boil until saponified, about 30 minutes.ENGLISHBAR SOAP Take 1 gallon soft water, 1 pound stone (ground oragricultural) lime, 3% pounds sal soda, 1 ounce borax, 2%pounds tallow, 1% pounds pulverized rosin and 1 ouncebeeswax. Bring the water to a boil, then gradually add thelime and soda, stirring vigorously. Add the borax. Boil andstir until dissolved. Pour in the melted tallow in a thinstream, stirring constantly. Add the rosin and beeswax. Boiland stir until it thickens. Cool in molds.

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GERMANSOAP Use 2 pounds sal soda and 8 ounces stone (ground oragricultural) lime with 2 quarts soft water. Mix together,boil, settle and pour off the clear lye. Melt separately 1pound of tallow, 14 ounces rosin and 2 ounces palm oil.Bring the clear lye to a boil and add gradually the otheringredients. Mix, stir and boil until saponified, 20 to 30minutes.


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COCONUT Saponify over low heat in a jar placed in a double boiler, 1QIL SOAP pound coconut oil with % pound caustic soda. Stirconstantly. Add pound hot white spirits of turpentine.Simmer over low heat three or four hours. When clear add 1pound beef liver gall. Now add 1 to 2 pounds shaved castilesoap, stirring until the mixture is of the consistency ofdough. Cool in molds.Other vegetable oil ade from castor oiland palm oil. The palm oil ellow color and anagreeable odor. It is often used to give scent and atransparency to yellow soap.

ALMOND Almond oil may be saponified with caustic soda by aSOAP process similar to that of making other hard soaps. About1% pounds caustic soda will be required to saponify 7pounds almond oil. Mix the soda lye and almond oilgradually, boiling hot. Boil and stir until saponified.

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TRANSPARENT Any good white neutral (neither alkaline nor acid) soapSOAP may be made transparent by reducing it to shavings, addingone-half its volume of alcohol and settin the mixture in awarm place until the soap is dissolved. When allowed tocool, the soap has somewhat the appearance of rock candy.It may be perfumed as desired.ORShave 24 ounces good hard yellow soap and add 1 pintof alcohol. Simmer in double boiler over low heat until dis-solved. Remove from heat and add I ounce almond


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ERASIVESOAP

COSMEllCSOAP

HONEYSOAP

essence. Beat with an egg beater to make an emulsion. Pourinto molds to cool.ORSlice 6 pounds bar soap into thin shavings and put in adouble boiler. Add 2 quarts rubbing alcohol and heatgradually over low heat, stirrin is dissolved. Add1 ounce of sassafras nd ur into molds lS4+ inches deep. When col

Cut 2 pounds of castile Dissolve in ?4pintcool water. Add pound potash. Boil until it is thickenough to mold i cakes. Add 3%ounce alcohol and Mounce camphor. Pour into molds.Grate 1 pound castile soap. Dissolve over low heat in a smalfamount of water - enough to make a smooth paste.with spoon or egg beater, then thicken with a smallof cornmeal. Keep in small jars, lids tightly coverORAny neutral hard white soap may be used as afoundation for toilet soap by shaving the p thin orrunning it through a meat grinder. Melt in a ble boilerwith rose water, orange blossom water or other distilledwater to the proportion of 6 pounds soap to 1 pint rose ororange blossom water. Add 2 ounces salt. Boil down, allowto cool and cut into squares.Shave and melt in a double boiler 2 pounds yellow soap.Add 4 ounces palm oil, 4 ounces honey and 1 ounce oil of


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.cinna or other perfu . Boil 10 minutes. While coolinstir vi usly with an e beater to emulsify inCool. It is ready for use as soon as hardened.

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BORAXSOAP Dissolve 3 ounces borax in 2 quarts boiling water. Shave 2ap and add. Stir and simmer overents are tho hly melted andsoap is ready fsr

OATMEAL OR Grandmother believed oatmeal and cornmeal made theCORNMEALSOAPS skin smooth, soft and white. In summer she mixed 2 cupscornmeal with 2 tablespoons powdered borax and used it asa skin cleanser.ORShave 12 ounces neutral white hard soap. Add enoughwater to keep it from sticking, and melt over low heat. Stir in4 ounces cornmeal and perfume as desired.


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ORMelt together ?2 ounces hard white soap, 5 ouncespalm soap and 3 ounces coconut oil soap. Add 3 ouncesoatmeal or wheat bran. Mix over low heat. Remove fromheat and mix thoroughly with egg beater to make acomplete emulsion. It ir ready for use when cold and dry.und castile or other hard white soap. Addrevent it from sticki and melt over lowheat. Stir while melting to make a thi smooth paste. Putin a bowl to cool. Perfume with any oil or perfumed water,incorporating it with an egg beater. Stir in cornmeal untilthe paste thickens. st be kept in a covered container, asit will spoil if expo to air.

PERFUMED SOAPSSoaps may be perfumed by adding a few drops of anyessential oil or a proportionately larger quantity of essencesor perfumed distilled waters to the saponified mass while@ ut before hard soap has become cool enough toset. If perfumes are added while the soap is too hot theytend to volatilize and escape with the steam. If the soap istoo cold they cannot be readily incorporated*Ordinary soap may be perfumed by cutting it withalcohol and adding the perfume befoke the mixturehardens, or by melting the soap in a small quantity of water,adding the perfume and evaporating the excess of water


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over low heat in a double boiler. Or the soap may bereduced to shavings, moistened slightly with distilled waterand the perfume incorporated by kneading or by the use ofa mortar and pestle.

PERFUMED SOAP RECIPESSANDALWOCBD To 7 pounds neutral soap add 2 ounces attar of bergamotSOAP and 7 ounces attar of sandalwood.

ROSE To 30 pounds castile soap add 20 pounds tallow soap. MeltSOAP h water to keep from sticking. Add 3 ounces attarounce essence of cinnamon, 2R ounces essenceot, I?& ounces vermillion and 1 ounce essence ofcloves.

29MUSK Dissolve 50 pounds tallow soap in 1 quart water. Cool. Add 4SOAP ounces powdered cloves and 34 ounces each of bergamotand musk. RMx well and pour into molds.


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BOUQUETSOAP Sliver 36 pounds tallow seap and melt in 2 cups water. Whencooled add 4 ounces essence of bergamot, 1 ounce each ofoils of cloves, sassafras and thyme. Pour into molds.BITTERALMONDSOAP

In 1 quart of water dissolve 50 pounds tallow soap. Coolsli then add 10 ounc s essence of bitter almonds. Mixth hly and pour intCINNAMONSOAP Shave 50 pounds tallow soap and melt over low heat in 1quart water. Cool. Add f ounces oil of cinnamon and 1ounce each of essences of sassafras and bergamot. Mix.Add 1 pound finely powdered yellow ochre. Mix well andpour into molds.ORAdd 20 pounds palm oil soap to 30 pounds tallow soap,1 quart water, 7 ounces essence of cinnamon, 2 ouncesessence of bergamot and 1 ounce essence of sassafras. Stirin yellow ochre to color.

CITRONSOAP To 6 ounces neutral soap add % pound attar of citron, fiounce verbena [lemon oil), 4 ounces attar of bergamot and2 ounces attar of lemon.BAYBERRYSOAP

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Dissolve 3% ounces white potash in 1 pint water. Add 1pound melted bayberry tallow. Boil slowly and stir until themixture saponifies. Add 2 tablespoons cold watercontaining a pinch of salt. Boil five or six minutes. Removefrom heat and cool. Before it sets, perfume by adding 5 or 6


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drops of any essence or oils. This soap should be curedbefore using.MEDICATED SOAPSMany of these r ipes are oddities today, and some of the

CAMPHORSOAP Dissolve 9 pound neutrai hard white soap in 1 cup boilingwater. Continue boiling over low heat until soap is theconsistency of butter. Add 6 ounces olive oil mixed with 1ounce camphorated oil. Take from heat and beat with eggbeater until a complete emulsion forms. Use to cleanscratches.SULFUR Shave 2 ounces soft soap and add 1/4 ounce Flowers of

SOAP Sulfur. Perfume and color as desired. Mix ingredientsthoroughly in earthenware bowl.IODINE Dissolve 1 pound white castile soap shaved fine in 3 ouncesSOAP distilled water or rose water. Add 1 ounce tincture ofiodine. Put in double boiler, melt and mix by stirring.

JUNIPER Dissolve 4 ounces tar in 1 pound almond oil or olive oil.TAR SOAP Heat in double boiler and gradually add weak soda lye,stirring constantly until saponification takes place. This31 soap is to be applied at night and washed away nextmorning.


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CARBOLIC Take 5 pounds fresh coconut oil soap, melt and add 5ACID SOAP ounces alcohol, 3 ounces carbolic acid, 1 ounce causticpotash and !k ounce almond oil. Stir until ingredients arethoroughly incorporated. Cool in molds.CHLORINE Shave 11 ounces castile soap. Dry in a warm oven and

SOAP reduce to a powder. Add 1 ounce fresh dry chloride of lime.Add a sufficient quantity of alcohol to cut this mixture andreduce it to the consistency of dough. This soap must bekept in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. It is a disinfectantand is said to remove stains from the skin.ARSENIC Mix 12 ounces carbonate of potash with 4 ounces eachSOAP white arsenic, white soap and air-slaked lime with sufficientwater to reduce it to the required consistency. This soap ispoisonous and should be labeled accordingly and kept outof the reach of children.

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MAKING CANDLESA candle often is referred to as a symbol of the past, yet thecandle industry in the United States is greater at presentthan it has ever been in the past and is increasing rapidlyfrom year to year. Professor Thompson, a celebratedelectrician, declares that if the electric light had existed forcenturies and the candle was newly invented, it would behailed as one of the greatest discoveries of the ages, beingentirelv self-contained, cheap and portable and requirinno accessories in the way of chimneys or shades.That paragraph sounds like something from lastmonths hobby magazine, but it was written more than 65years ago. It shows the new popularity in candles andcandlemaking isnt a passing fad. Americans always haveloved candles, and with good reason. They are self-contained, cheap and portable. They make welcome gifts,help decorate the homeand lend a romantic, elegant touchto a so-so dinner table.


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Theyre also very easy to make at home. You dontneed an expensive kit, fancy molds or even special wicks.You still can make candles the way your great-grandmothermade them - with what you have on hand. Heres how:

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YOULL A Container - for melting the wax, tallow or paraffin.NEED Youll need one large enough to hold a batch and heavyenough to keep it from burning. A kettle with a pouringspout is handy and A DOUBLE BOILER ARRANGEMENTFOR THE POTS IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFETY. Since wax andparaffin are difficult to remove once they are hardened, acontainer used just for this purpose is best. A large, res-taurant-size tin can bent on one side to form a spout andplaced in a large deep pan with an inch or two of water isone good, cheap solution. If you plan to make candlesoften, you might want to invest in a campfire-typeenameled coffee pot with an open spout. Between can-dlemaking sessions, toss your candle nubs in the containerfor remelting.


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Cheesecloth - for straining.Long-Handled Spoon - long enough to reach thebottom of the container. Metal is best.Maids - available in your kitchen or at the towndump. See To Mold Candles.Wicks - cotton string, cord or whatever you have onhand.Tallow, Wax or Paraffin - tallow is free, wax is expen-sive and paraffin is about 20 cents a pound. Take your pick.THEMETHODS Homemade candles can be made from tallow (the hard fatof beef or mutton), from the substance known as stearin(which is derived from tallow), from wax or paraffin.Wax candles usually are rolled, tallow candles may bedipped or molded, paraffin candles usually are molded.Molded Candles - Molds may be anything you haveon hand, from a flat ashtray to a tall milk carton. There is norequired shape for a candle. If youre feeling creative, youcan be as imaginative as you like with molds. If you simplyneed a light, pour your candle in a cup and carry it by thecup handle. Make it as simple or as elaborate as you wish.Dipped Candles - The real, old-fashioned kind thePilgrims made take more time but are much moretraditional. Theyre made by dipping wicks, singly or severalat a time on a frame, in hot wax or tallow. The wicks areimmersed in the melted substance, removed to cool anddipped again and again to add one layer at a time until thecandle is thick enough.


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Rolled Candles - Rolled candles are made by pouringmelted wax on the wicks in a thin layer, allowing it topartially set, then rolling the wax around the wick by handwhile the wax is still warm.MAKING

ThEThe first step in making thecandle is to make the wick. They

WICK can be made from any kind of cotton string or cord twistedor braided together to make the wick thick enough for thecandle. The cord then is soaked in one.of the following:1. Turpentine.2. Two ounces borax, 1 ounce chloride of lime, 1 ouncechloride of ammonia and 1 ounce saltpeter, dissolved in 3quarts water.3.X pound lime and 2 ounces saltpeter dissolved in 1gallon of water.Soak the wicks in one of these solutions 15 to 20minutes, then dry in the sunshine before using.TALLOW CANDLESTallow is the rendered fat of animals, and almost any kind oftallow may be used for candles although beef tallow makesthe hardest and slowest burning. In addition beef tallow isan attractive, creamy-white color with a nice luster and aclean odor.Since it is not used for lard beef fat also is the cheapestand easiest fat to obtain. It often is available free for theasking at your local butcher shop or rendering plant. Just

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ask if you can have the beef scraps and be willing to pickthem up at their convenience.When you get the fat scraps home, render them intotallow by cutting them into small pieces and melting themin a large, heavy pan on the kitchen stove or outdoors overan open fire. Keep the heat down low and be patient. If youhave a large pan full it may take several hours. Stir once in awhile to keep them from sticking. When the bitsof fried fatfloat to the top of the melted tallow, strain the hot fatthrough a piece of cloth and youre ready to make candles.And be sure to save those bits. Theyre nutritious anddelicious. Squeeze all the grease out and you have a beefcrackling which is every bit as good as the pork cracklingsyou buy. If there is too much for snacks, bake them incornbread or feed them to the chickrlas. Theyre a cheapsource of protein and chickens relish them.

37TO Tallow used for candles must be clear-grained, perfectlyPURIFY clean fat. It may be purified by boiling 10 minutes in water,TALLOW then cooled until the fat solidifies on thesurface. The clean


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tallow then is lifted off the cold water and dried with a cloth.ORTallow may be boiled in a solution of alum andsaltpeter. For each 30 pounds of tallow add 1 pound of alumand 1 pound of saltpeter to the water.OR redients may be meltedda lye solution. tet themtxture boil two to hours, stitrin casionally andstraining off impur that rise to surface. Chillovernight and lift off the hardened fat.ORDissolve ti pound alum and ?/2 ound saltpeter in 1 pintof boiling water. Add 12 ounces beef tallow and simmerover low heat, skimming, for 8/2hour. Add 1 cup milk andcontinue to simmer 15 minutes more. Skim and use for

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.MlJTTON Candles may be made irom mutton tallow by mixing 3 partsTALLOW mutton tallow to 1 part beef tallow. Since these candles areCANDLES likely to be soft and often turn yellow, the followingmethod of hardening may used:Melt the tallow over low heat. When nearly melted, stirin 1 pound alum dissolved in a little hot water for each 5pounds tallow. Stir until melted.ORMelt together 1% pounds mutton tallow, 8 ouncesbeeswax, /s ounce camphor and 4 ounces alum.


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CANDLES To 10 pounds melted lard add 1 pound alum dissolved in 1ROM cup boiling water. Boil until all the water is evaporated,LARD then remove at once from the heat. Skim. Use for moldedor dipped candles.ORMix 1 pound lard with 7 pounds of beeswax. Melt overlow heat and add 1 ounce nitric acid, stirring constantly.Use glass or procelain pot as the acid is highly corrosive.

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STEARiN Stearin is the principal fatty acid contained in animal fats.CANDLES Tallow and other fats also contain glycerin and variousimpurities. To remove these youll need 3 ounces slakedlime and 4 ounces sulfuric acid for each I% pounds oftallow.Melt the tallow in a glass or porcelain-lined containerand stir in the lime, boiling over low heat until a thicksubstance is formed. This is lime soap. Add sulfuric acid andstir until the fat separates. The sulfuric acid will unite withthe alum, forming suiphate of lime and water. Cool.CAUTION! Sulfuric acid is EXTREMELY caustic. Dis-pose of the waste in a safe place outdoors.When cooled remove the solid cake of fat and meltover very low heat, stirring to prevent burning, until anyremaining water is boiled off.You now have stearin, a dry, inflammable substancewith a pearly luster and no greasy feel. Stearin alone doesnot make a good candle, but is mixed 1 part wax to 9 partsstearin.


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MIXED-WAXCANDLES Since wax is the most expensive material for candles, animitation wax candle can be made by melting together twoparts wax to one part tallow. This can be used for dipping ormolding. These candles look like wax, but the material ismuch easier to work with.

RUSHLIGHTS Old-fashioned rushlights may be made by stripping the skinfrom mature rushes (cat tails) and dipping the pith inmelted tallow in the same way candles are dipped. Thesewere once used for household light, but should only beused for outdoor lighting, because the flame is erratic.TO DIP CANDLES

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First cut the wicks to the proper length, then dip them inmelted tallow. After the first dipping, roll the wicksbetween the fingers to thoroughly incorporate the tallow inthe wick, then pull the wick straight and allow it to harden.When hardened the wicks may be attached to adipping frame (which allows you to dip several candles atonce), made of coat hanger wire. Tie the wicks about threeinchesapartontheframeandmakesureallthewickswillfitinto the container of tallow.Melt the tallow over low heat. The best arrangement isto use two pots, one with an inch or two of boiling water,the other inserted inside it, double-boiler fashion. Be surethe container and the tallow are deep enough for thelength of candle you want.


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Dip the wicks quickly in the melted tallow. You want toadd a layer of tallow each time and yet not melt off theprevious layers. It works best if the candle is cold, and somepeople refrigerate or even freeze them between dippings.When candles are cold and set, immerse again.Continue until candles are of lar

TO MOLD CANDLESCandle molds are available at almost any variety store orhobby shop but they also are available - free of charge -almost everywhere you look. Milk cartons, paper towel


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rolls, empty plastic bottles, paper cups and crackedtumblers can be found on any trash pile or city dump. Allmake great, disposable candle molds.You can use non-disposable molds if you first makethem stick-proof. There are canrfle sprays and siliconesprays on the market, or you also can use the new skilletsprays which are made of fat. Or you-can dust the inside ofreased mold with talcum powder or kitchen flour.Candles are molded upside-down, with the upper partof the mold corresponding to the bottom of the candle andthe lower part of the mold becoming the candle top.Therefore, the bottom of the mofd must have a small pieceof excess wick. Preferably it will extend out of the mold, butthis may not always be possible. If not, the extra, coiled wickcan be pulled out of the candle later.

With molds such as paper cups loop one end of thewick over a wire suspended across the top of the mold, thenthread the other end into a large darning needle and pushthe needle through the bottom of the maid, through themiddle of the cup.ORYau may use a long pieee of wire inserted in the centerof the molds, Weiner-on-a-stick fashion, when the moldedcandles are set but still warm. Allow to cool. When cold,carefully remove the wire and insert wicks in the holes.Stand candles upright, top side up. Holding the wicks upwith your fingers, pour enough warm tallow into the holeto hold the wick in place.


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ORThe wick may be knotted where it comes out the lowerend of the mold to keep it taut. Melted tallow, only hotenough to be easily poured, is poured into the mold until itis filled. The wicks are then pulled ti ht and the candlesallowed to cool. When cold, the candles will have shrunk inthe molds. Refill with warm tallow and cool a

TO ROLL CANDLESTo roll candles the wicks may be suspended on a wire frameas for dipping, then held over the container of melted wax.The wax then is poured over the wicks, and what does notadhere will fall back into the container. The process iscontinued until the candles are the desired size. They arethen rolled, one by one, to the proper shape with thehands, or you may use wooden paddles which have beensoaked in water.


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TORLEACHCANDLES

TO LlCHTA CANDLETOPREWENT!5WTTERING

TO CARRYCANDLES

ORthe hands and the

you work with each candle.them to dew, air andled they may bee of flannel cloth

atch to the side of the wick, not to the top.nd sputtering, put themusing - but do notice, Before lighting,pinch of salt into theShake off the excesssalt so the grains do not Ballon the candle. The candle willburn evenly an

candle use a short piece held in thelass. Let the lighted candle drip for a


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moment into the bottom of the glass and quickly put thecandle bottom on the melted wax to hold it in place. Theglass will protect the lighted candle from drafts.TO BLOW OUT Hold the candle h mouth and blow it out byA CANDlE an upward instea of downward air current. This wiltprevent the wick from smolderin


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Utensils needed 34Methods 35

Tallow candles 38lard candles 39Stearin candles 39Mixed-wax candles 40Rushlights 40Dipping Candles 40Molding candles 41Rolling candles 43Bleaching candles 44Sputtering candles 44Lighting candles 44Carrying candles 44Blowing out candies 45

CONTENTS Making Soap 6INDEX Cautions - 7Utensils needed 8ients needed

Making Candles 33

Making soda lye 12Commercial lye 12Methods 12Soft Soap, coldSoft Soap, boiliHard Soap 17Hard Soap, improving 19Hard Soap, preserving 19Hard Soap, recipes 20ial Soaps, reciPerfumed Soaps, recipes 28Medicated Soaps, recipes 31


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Other Garden Way Guides byPh y//is Hobson include:l &king Your Own Ice Cream, Ices& She&&s $2.95l Making Homemade Cheeses & Butter $2.95l MakIng Your Own Wine, Beer& Soft Drinks !lis.ssl Making Breads with Home-GrownYeasts & Home-Ground Grains $2.95@ Making Homemade Apple Pies& crusts $2.95+ Home Dtying Vegetables, Fruits& Herbs $2.95

Phyllis Hobson is also the author of Raising a Calf for Beefand lk~ hour hide! /-kme Tkming 6eathen & fun, bothavailable from Garden Way Publishing. Mrs. Hsbson liveson the family3 large and busy homestead in Greentown,lndniana with her husband, Max, and daughter, Elizabeth.She also finds time to edit the womens page of the dailyTribune published in nearby Kokomo.ISEN O-88266-026-8

making home made soap

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