Home-made soap:

1 pound can lye dissolved in 3 pints cold water

5 pounds fat melted, 1 1/2 tablespoons borax, 1/2 cup ammonia

When lye mixture has cooled add it to fat, stir until as thick as honey, pour into wooden or pasteboard boxes lined with oiled or waxed paper, set away to harden.

Soap-bark:

1 pound soap-bark equals 2 pounds soft soap. Use in place of soap. Bran: 1 cup bran 1 quart water

Boil 1/2 hour. Strain, boil bran in a second quart water 1/2 hour. When needed, reduce with warm water.

Potato water:

Grate two large-sized potatoes into 1 pint clean, clear, soft water. Strain into 1 gallon water, let liquid settle. Pour off and use.

Soap solution for washing colored goods:

1/4 pound mild or medium soap to 1 gallon water.

Soap solution for ordinary purposes:

1 bar ordinary washing soap

2 to 3 quarts water

Shave soap and put into saucepan with cold water. Heat gradually until soap is dissolved (about 1 hour).

Soap solution for soaking clothes: 1 bar ordinary soap

3 gallons water

1/2 to 1 tablespoon turpentine 1 to 3 tablespoons ammonia.

Soap solution for washing much-soiled woolens and delicate colors: 1/2 pound very mild or neutral soap 1/4 pound borax 3 quarts water.

Soap jelly with turpentine incorporated:

1 bar soap

1 quart water

1 teaspoon turpentine or kerosene.

A liquid for washing delicate fabrics and colors may be made from laundry starch, grated potatoes, rice, flour, and the like. The water in which rice has boiled may be saved and utilized for the same purpose. The cleansing liquid after cooking should be as thick as cream and should be diluted from one to four times, according to the amount of dirt in the clothing. Clothing should be rinsed in a more dilute solution, which may be blued for white clothes.