Ash lye for laundry washing

Burning hardwood (e.g. beech, ash or oak) produces ash, most of which consists of potassium carbonate. Together with water, this potassium carbonate changes to potassium hydrogen carbonate and potassium hydroxide.
We call this caustic potash.
ATTENTION: This lye is highly corrosive!
Only work with safety goggles and rubber gloves !!!!
If the ash (preferably sieved so that there is no carbon left in the ash) is left in water for two weeks, it becomes strongly alkaline (the pH value is best tested with a pH strip).
If the pH value is between 12 and 14, the lye can be used as a wash detergent.
This lye is ideal for washing laundry, as the fibers of the textiles (cotton, linen or hemp) swell and the fats (stains) are broken down.
Due to its slightly bleaching effect, the ash lye is suitable for washing light-colored laundry.
But even colored laundry does not suffer much – according to my own experience.
Recipe
2 kg ash (from hard wood)
10 to 15 liters of water
Let this mixture sit for 15 to 20 days.
Test the lye water with a pH-strip to go sure it has reached a pH value between 12 and 14.
Fill into plastic or glas bottles (no metal containers – it’s highly corrosive !).
Beware: it’s highly alkaline and can harm your skin or eyes !!!!
retour