Vintage Descoware Assistance Needed

[launderess]

Lye can be very difficult to find nowadays.

Our local True Value hardware store has it on shelves, but many other local hardware stores either have quit stocking, and or it is locked away requiring someone to fetch.

Remember reading label from a lye container that gave directions for making soap. While interesting reading, am not going to try that at home.

 

[sarahperdue]

Lye soap

My husband used to make lye soap with lard and coconut oil. It's one of the mildest, best soaps I've ever used, even on my face. Alas, we are at a standstill. He accidentally made a batch with rancid lard, and it smells like chitlins. None of us will use it. I think even he gave up on it, but he won't toss it, and he won't make more until it's gone.

So, the boys and I buy face and body soaps. My husband travels a lot and uses the soaps he brings home from hotels.

Anyway, the lye and oils go through a process called saponification, and it is no longer caustic once the chemical reaction is complete.

S