Part 1 - Making Slaked Lime

What is Needed:

• seashells or limestone rock
• access to a kiln or bonfire
• non-aluminum container which can withstand high heat
• boil plate
• water

CaCO₃     + Heat ---> CaO  + CO₂
Limestone + Heat ---> Lime + Carbon Dioxide

CaO  + H₂O   <---> Ca(OH)₂     + Heat
Lime + Water <---> Slaked Lime + Heat

Steps to Make Lime:

1. Take seashells or limestone and heat in kiln or bonfire at 1000 C or 1800 F.
2. Allow to cool to room temperature, but do not cool with water.
3. Place shells or stone into container with water. Water should get hot.
4. Decant solution to boil plate.
5. Boil off water to yeild solid slaked lime.

Part 2 - Making Soda Ash and Potash

What is Needed:

• wood (and alot of it)
• non-aluminum container which can withstand high heat
• water
• boil plate

1. Put water in container.
2. Burn wood to make ash.
3. Heat water just to boil over fire.
4. Mix ash into hot water.
5. Let water/ash sit for one day, undisturbed.
6. Remove charcol bits which are floating on the surface.
7. Decant solution to boil plate.
8. Boil off water to yeild solid soda ash and potash mixture.

What is Needed:

• lime
• soda ash and potash mixture
• water
• 2 non-aluminum containers which can withstand high heat
• boil plate

Ca(OH)₂     + Na₂CO₃   ---> 2NaOH + CaCO₃
slaked lime + soda ash ---> lye   + calcium carbonate

Steps to Make Lye:

1. Mix 5 parts lime in water.
2. Mix 7 parts soda ash/potash in water.
3. Mix two solutions together thuroughly.
4. Allow solid to drop out.
5. Decant to boil plate.
6. Boil off water to yeild lye.

What is Needed:

• lye
• fat or oil
• container which can withstand high heat
• clear container with a lid
• water
• molds for shape

(RCO)₃(C₃H₅O₃) + 3NaOH ---> 3RCOONa + C₃H₅(OH₃)
fat            +  lye  ---> soap   +  glycerol

Steps to Make Soap:

1. Fill clear container with 3 parts (by wt.) water.
2. Add 1 part (by wt.) lye to container. Solution will get hot.
3. Melt 8 parts (by wt.) fat in other container.
4. Allow fat and lye to cool down to being warm. Fat should remain a liquid.
5. Pour fat or oil into clear container.
6. Close lid tight and shake vigourously every 15 minutes until mixed.
7. Pour into molds.
8. Cover the molds.
9. Allow to harden for several days.
10. Remove soap from molds.
11. Air cure the soap for 3 weeks.