This is my grandmother's recipe for lye soap, and while I don't expect many of you to make it, I thought you might find it interesting...
After hogs are butchered, take waste fats and render. (Put chunks of fat and same amount of water in large wash pot over open fire outdoors. Boil until all of the fats have melted.) Place same amount of water as first amount. Allow to cool overnight. Skim fat off and put in large container. Pour water out. Put fat back in pot with proper amount of lye. (Lye should be mixed with water.) Proper amount is determined when egg or potato will float! Boil over open fire until soap is formed. Mixture will be a frothy mix. Stirring often with large paddle. Process takes 6-8 hours. Pour soap into crock jars. Dip out as needed. If hard soap is desired, throw salt in near the end of boiling. Allow to cool and cut in pieces.
*Now, don't you appreciate what your grandparents/ancestors went through more?
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