06 
Method of making 
NO. 15. 
Account of a Method of making Soap of Wool 9 with Oh 
servations respecting its use in various arts . By M- 
Chaptal.* 
I HAVE already shown the maimer of makings at all 
times, in every place, and at a small expense, a sapona- 
ceous liquor which may be conveniently used, instead of 
soap, for domestic purposes. (See the Report of Messrs, 
Pelletier, d’Areet, and Le Lievre, on the art of making 
soap.f) I shall now present to the public a supplement 
* Repertory , vol. 7, p. 346. From the Jlnnales de Chimie. 
f As that part of the report referred to by M. Chaptal appears to be of general 
utility,- we shall here give a translation of it. 
A very good way of using soap is, to employ it in a liquid state ; that is, dis- 
solved in water. In consequence of which, M. Chaptal proposes that sapona- 
ceous liquors should be prepared, which may be used instead of solutions of 
soap ; and, in order to be able to procure such liquors, at all times, in all places., 
and at a small expense, he advises one or the other of the following methods to 
be practised. We shall describe them exactly as M. Chaptal communicated 
them to us,, with observations thereon, made by himself. 
First Method. 
Take the ashes produced from the combustion of wood which has not been 
floated, and make a ley of them, according to the usual manner; mixing with 
the ashes a handful or two of quick-lime, well pounded, or recently slaked. Let 
the ley stand till it is grown clear, by the settling or swimming of the foreign sub- 
stances contained therein : then our it into another vessel, and keep it for use. 
When it is proposed to make use of this ley, take any quantity of oil, and pour 
upon it thirty or forty times as much of the ley. Immediately a liquor as white 
as milk will be formed, which, by being well shaken, or stirred, lathers and 
froths like a good solution of soap. This liquor is to be poured into a washing- 
tub, or other vessel, and to be diluted with a greater or less quantity of water ; 
after which, the linen, meant to be washed, is to be steeped therein, to be rubbed; 
and wrung, in the usual way. 
Observations. 
1» It is better that the ley should not be made until the time when it is to be 
used : if it is left to stand in open vessels, its power is weakened, and its nature 
is changed. 
2. Fresh wood ashes are preferable to old ones, particularly if the latter have 
been exposed to the air; in that case, they have no longer their usual power** 
