PROJECTS 579 



borax and potash. Experiments in soap-making on a very small 

 scale are somewhat difficult to perform. It will be found easier 

 to produce soap from five pounds of fat than from five ounces. 1 

 Follow the directions carefully and patiently : 



Into a six-quart iron or heavily enameled vessel put 2 quarts of 

 water and heat it to boiling. Remove from the stove and dissolve 

 1 can of Babbitt's potash in the hot water. 



In a third quart of hot water, dissolve one half pound of borax. 



Pour the borax solution into the potash solution and set the 

 mixture aside to cool. 



Melt 5 pounds of fat and strain it through three layers of cheese- 

 cloth. Allow this fat to cool to a soft paste-like consistency. 



The next step requires patience. Add the fat, a spoonful at 

 a time, to the potash-borax solution, and stir each spoonful into the 

 solution slowly and carefully. After the fat is all in, stir the mix- 

 ture slowly for fifteen minutes. 



If at the end of this time the soap is not of a paste-like consistency, 

 let it stand, giving it an occasional slow stirring. Your success 

 may be immediate, or your patience may be taxed for a day or 

 more. Do not give up. 



When the mixture has become pasty, pour it into a rectangular 

 pan lined with oil paper. As soon as it hardens, it may be cut into 

 bars. It should be allowed to dry out for several weeks before it is 

 used. This soap is of very good quality and may be used for toilet 

 purposes. 



Coloring, Perfuming, and Molding. It is recommended that the 

 pupil confine his first efforts to producing soap. After he has made 

 a batch or two, he may wish to try experiments with coloring and 

 perfuming. Coloring matter, such as eosin (a very small amount), 

 should be added after about ten minutes of stirring and before the 

 mixture begins to become jelly-like. A few drops of oil of lemon 

 or some other perfume may also be added at the same time. 



After the soap has hardened, it may be remelted with a gentle 

 heat and poured into molds lined with oiled paper. 



1 Collecting waste fats at home though tedious work is to be en- 

 couraged, as the soap made therefrom will repay the effort. 



