Making Lye water from ash, to make soap...again

As work is few and far between, and my pizza job doesn't start up again until July, funds are nearing an all time low. 

My husband has managed to grab a few jobs here and there, but some things just need paying for. I have spent many days fixing and darning socks from the boys, and made quite a lovely job, also, using wool it had made the sock stronger and last longer. 

I also tried my hand at making girls panties and soon will use old clothes to make undies for me. I also have made socks from old jumpers and they turned out looking like pixie shoes, much to my younger daughters delight.

So today, I'm going to delve into the world of soap making again. i have been collecting hard wood ash, non resinous, ash, and today will be leaching the ash in rain water, to yield a softer soap.

Once the ash and water has mixed for 24 hours and has settled in a non-aluminium pot, bucket, the water is separated using an old T-shirt. Now its time to cook the water and be careful not to inhale fumes.

  Once the LYE water is made, by sting it with an egg or a potato, (note, the egg must float on the surface) It is ready to add the fat. In the olden days they used lard, tallow, but i don't have any of that kicking about. So i'm going to sacrifice some vegetable oil and do a new experiment with that.

  Cook 4 parts lye water with 1 part fat. This can take some time of stirring. Until there shows a trace, in thickness. Poured in a mould, it can take 3 days to set, keep well ventilated and warm for as long as possible as to combine and tighten.

  I shall be putting up pictures soon, to show you how i got on, and show you the final result.

  Happy making your own world, and learning new things...