Soft Soap
5 Pounds of potash in 5 gallons warm, soft water. Let dissolve over night. In the morning put over with 4 pounds of grease and boil until it is thick and soapy. If the lye needs more grease add it, test with a feather. If there is too much grease, which can be told by a scum rising, add a little more lye. Pour all in a keg, or half barrel, and add sufficient soft water to make it the proper consistency. It is much easier to boil a small quantity and thin afterwards.