590. To Test Lye

590.     To Test Lye. In testing the strength of lyes with a hydrometer, an exact result could be obtained if the caustic alkali employed by soap-makers and dyers were absolutely pure; but as this is seldom, if ever, the case, the impurities which exist in the lyes under examination, influence the specific weight of the lye, and due allowance must be made for this; thus, an indication by the hydrometer of 20 per cent, does not prove that the lye contains 20 per cent, of pure caustic alkali, but includes the foreign matter. Still, this method of testing will give comparative strengths exactly.

591. White Soap

591.    White Soap. Lard, 40 pounds; and caustic soda lye, of 35° Baum'e, 20 pounds. Melt the fat by a heat not exceeding 150° Fahr.; add, during constant stirring, 10 pounds of the lye. After one hour's stirring, the heat being continued all the time at a moderate degree, the remaining 10 pounds of lye are to be added. When the paste has become smooth and uniform throughout, it is transferred to a cooling frame, perfumed, and left in a room of moderate temperature for a few days to set and ripen. It is then ready to be cut into tablets and pressed.

592. Almond Soap

592.    Almond Soap. Genuine almond soap is made from oil of sweet almonds, 50 pounds, and soda lye of 36° Baum'e, 25 pounds, the latter being gradually added to the former at a temperature between 125° to 150°, and the whole stirred constantly until the mixture is a smooth paste. It is then transferred to a cooling frame, perfumed with attar of bitter almonds, and then left for several days to set and ripen.

593. Ordinary Cocoanut Oil Soap

593.    Ordinary Cocoanut Oil Soap. 100 pounds cocoanut oil - or 90 pounds cocoa-nut oil and 10 pounds of either tallow or palm oil - saponified by the cold process with 225 pounds caustic soda lye of 21° Baum'e, and 75 pounds of salt water of 12° Baum'e, will combine to form 400 pounds of cocoanut oil soap.

594. Cocoanut Oil Soap

594.    Cocoanut Oil Soap. 100 pounds cocoanut oil and 56 pounds caustic soda lye of 36° Baum'e, treated according to the cold process, will produce 153 pounds cocoanut oil soap.

595. Paris Toilet Tablet Soap

595.    Paris Toilet Tablet Soap. 87 pounds of this soap can be made by the cold process by using the following ingredients: 20 pounds tallow, 30 pounds cocoanut oil, 8 pounds lard, 31 pounds caustic soda lye of 36° Baum'e, and 5 pounds caustic potash lye of the same strength.

596. Paris Toilet Round Soap

596.    Paris Toilet Round Soap. 25 pounds cocoanut oil, 75 pounds lard, 50 to 52 pounds caustic soda lye of 36° Baum'e, will produce 150 pounds of the soap.

597. Shaving Soap

597.    Shaving Soap. Either 66 pounds tallow and 34 pounds cocoanut oil - or 33 pounds of tallow, the same quantity of palm oil, and 34 pounds cocoanut oil - treated by the cold process with 120 pounds caustic soda lye of 27° Baum'e, will make 214 pounds of shaving soap. An addition of 12 pounds of salt water of 12° Baum'e to the palm oil mixture, will add 12 pounds to the yield of soap.