Lye Soap History & Soap Making Process
Lye soap is made from a combination of lye and fats. When the two are blended together at the right temperature in the correct proportions a chemical reaction called saponification occurs. Simply stated, saponification is the name for the chemical process that happens between lye and fat as they turn into soap. It doesn't happen all at once, but actually takes days to complete. Song Sailor soap cures for three weeks before it is ready for use. During the setting and curing process the oils and lye join together which breaks down the lye structure and hardens the soap making it safe and useable for us. The longer the soap cures the milder it becomes. Sometimes, while curing, the soap can develop a white powder on top of it. This is a result of the changes taking place and oxidation, kind of like when metal corrodes. The white powder is perfectly harmless and can be used as a part of the soap. It will wash off with the soap's first use.
In olden days folks did not have ready access to pure lye. It was made from the ashes out of the stove which were rich in sodium hydroxide (lye). Over the cold season ashes from the wood stove were stored in a barrel with a spigot at the bottom. When lye water was needed for soap making, water would be poured over the ashes and strained out the bottom spigot. The strained water would end up fortified with lye.
Once lye water was made, it was added to lard or beef tallow. Having the correct amount of lye per fat volume is still key in making a successful batch of soap. It was said that if an egg could float in the mixture with just a tiny bit sticking out of the soap, then the proportions were correct. Nowadays, scales and recipes prove very useful in getting the right mixture.
The lye water and fats get blended together until they reach a certain thickness called tracing from which the soap is poured into a pan or molds to begin curing.
I use coconut, olive and palm oils with occasional fortifying add-ins like lanolin, and lye that is pure in form with no ashey additions. The soap is scented with essential oils which are either cold pressed or steam distilled from organically grown plants. A bar from each batch is tested on myself. The directions for use relate to how my skin reacted to that particular batch. Throughout history lye soap has been used for jobs like washing floors and doing laundry to cleansing the faces of small children.
Song Sailor soap is made by hand in North Adams, MA. Each batch is completely individual even when the same ingredients are used.
Essential Oils Used In Soaps
Cinnamon: Cinnamomum zeylanicum - Steam distilled leaf . Leaf oil is in great use in commercial foods, mouth preparations, soaps and toiletries. Used as an insecticide, antispasmodic, antibacterial, aphrodisiac, and antifungal. Indicated for tooth care, impotence in men, respiratory blends for the lungs. As an inhalation, for exhaustion, feelings of depression and weakness. Very effective antiseptic and is one of the strongest antiseptic oils.
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus Citriodora - Steam distilled leaf. Commonly known as lemon scented eucalyptus. Effective insect repellent due to a higher citronellal content than citronella. Analgesic, calming, sedative and anti-hypertensive.
Grapefruit, Pink: Citrus paradisi - Cold pressed peel. Antidepressant, antiseptic, diuretic and disinfectant, stimulant. Invaluable in times of stress and depression, uplifts and revives spirit. Useful for treating water retention and is detoxifying. Treats cellulite. Has a stimulating effect on the digestive system. Treats acne, congested and oily skin. Relieves migraine, premenstrual tension and jet lag.
Lavender: Lavandula vera - Analgesic, antidepressant, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericide, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, fungicide, sedative. Soothes the spirit, relieves anger, valuable in manic-depressive cases. Assists in bringing down high blood pressure, relieves insomnia, relieves muscular spasms and rheumatic pains. Useful with menstrual problems, bronchitis and headaches. Keeps insects at bay. Promotes growth of new skin cells, healing effect on burns and sunburn, acne, psoriasis, boils, fungal growths, and scarring. Lavender is one of the safest essential oils to use with children and the elderly.
Lemon: Citrus medica L. var. limonum - Steam distilled. Among its many properties are antacid, antineuralgic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, astringent, bactericide, cicatrizant, diuretic, emollient, insecticide, and laxative. Helps to clear thoughts, helps with concentration, lifts the spirits. Tonic to the circulatory system, liquefies the blood and aids flow, thereby easing pressure on varicose veins. Used to bring down high blood pressure. Counteracts acidity in the body and makes the stomach more alkaline.
Lime: Citrus aurantifolia - Cold pressed peel. It is antiseptic, antiviral, astringent, disinfectant, insecticide, restorative. Very stimulating in cases of apathy, depression and anxiety. Eases coughs and chest congestion. Encourages appetite, assists in treating alcoholism because of its disinfecting and detoxifying properties.
Sweet Orange: Citrus sinensis var. dulcis - Cold pressed peel. It is antidepressant and calming, refreshes the air and dissipates cooking odors. Good grease cutter and is very useful in removing gooey residues, such as price labels from glass products and glass picture frames.
Peppermint: Mentha piperita - Steam distilled leaf. Cooling, analgesic, antispasmodic, anesthetic, decongestant, expectorant, febrifuge, insecticide and stimulant. Should be kept away from eyes, best avoided by pregnant women and nursing mothers as it may discourage flow of milk. May antidote homeopathic remedies. Helpful for people who are unable to concentrate or who have mental fatigue. As a remedy for colds, it halts mucous and fevers and encourages perspiration. Extremely important for its effect on the digestive system (1 drop on a sugar cube or on a teaspoon of honey). Has a slightly anesthetic effect on stomach muscles. Good for travel sickness, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation,
colic, nausea and to keep drivers alert on the road. Not liked by insects.
Rosemary: Rosemary CT Cineol - Steam distilled flowering top/leaf. Rosemary is best used in connection with pulmonary congestion and to facilitate elimination from the liver and the kidneys. It is an expectorant and an antibacterial, especially on staph or strep germs. Indicated for earaches, sinus-bronchial-pulmonary infections, and all aspects of the ear, nose and throat.
Sage: Salvia officinalis - Steam distilled leaves. Traditionally, sage has been used for a variety of disorders such as respiratory infections, menstrual difficulties, and digestive complaints. Apart from its widespread use in cooking (the herb, that is), sage has always been used in fold medicine in many contries in the form of herbal infusions, gargles, vinegars and poultices, particularly for mouth and throat infections. As
an essential oil, its properties are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, digestive and diuretic. Avoid in pregnancy as it's an abortifacient.
