Problem Making Lye

Problem Making Lye

by Ashley
(Springfield, Missoui, USA)

I'm trying to make lye using wood ash using the method described on your website (in a bucket with a hole at the bottom).

I had about a quart of brown lye water drip out over the course of about a day and a half, then it stopped dripping.

I wasn't sure any more would drip, so I went ahead and poured that lye back into the ashes to drip through a second time.

This time, only about a cup of brown lye water has dripped out after several days, and the ashes have become like clay, with some clear dirty grayish (not brown) water on top.

Is there any hope of getting any more lye water from this batch of ashes?

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Homesteading Today Questions.




Did you find this page helpful?

Sharing is a way of saying, "Thanks!"

Follow Us and Keep Up to Date






Go back to the Home Page

OTHER SECTIONS OF INTEREST

Natural PesticidesNatural Pesticides
Farm ExchangeFarm Exchange
Farmers DirectoryFarmers' Directory
Making SoapMaking Soap
Country Cooking RecipesCountry Recipes

Traditional Arts and Crafts
Country Crafts