Teach Soap

What oils and fats do the Amish use in their soapmaking? Does anyone know? And do they use caustic soda or wood ashes? I bought a bunch of lye soap from the Amish years ago and loved it. I'd like to recreate it myself.

I hate to say this, but it depends upon the person, just like it does with the English! None of our friends use ash, all use lye, and the oils are are varied, just as ours are, so it really depends on the person you purchased it from. Generally speaking, they use whatever oils are carried in their local stores, but oils can be ordered in if they really want them.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Well now I don't have to worry about having to learn how to make lye water from wood ashes. Now the fats, I'm ussuming any kind of animal fats? I'm thinking not too may vegetable oils are used. I could be really off on that though.

Are you able to get to an amish store where maybe they sell the soap you are coveting? Then you could check the lable and see if it gives you a clue as to what fats they use. It would still be up to you to work out the percentages.

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

I bought the soaps in a large box. They were rough cut and none wrapped. I'm in Lexington Kentucky. I was on a trip out of town when I bought them. No lables. Just some great soaps. They were kind of yellowish in color.

Actually a lot of veg oils are used, but I would guess that you bought some that had lard as an ingredient, because most of our friends soap w lard, some with tallow, but most with lard. Really though, it is a guess. Sorry.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I found lye, pomace olive oil, and coconut oil at an Amish bulk grocery store in northern Missouri. I imagine it depends on the sect. Some in that area are strict--drive buggies, etc.--and others drive cars, shop at Walmart, and use cell phones. I don't know if for the more strict Amish buying imported oil is a problem or not.

I've seen a few soaps in various stores marketed as "Lye Soap" or "Grandma's Old Fashioned Lye Soap" etc.
Funny since all soaps use lye.

The ones I've seen are nothing special... just 100% lard soap with a fancy label.

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- Mickey!