Lye, also called soda, is one of the main ingredients in soap making. It can be bought locally, of made using one of the following systems.

Materials:
        1 Clay pot with a hole in the bottom
        Straw
        Wood ash
        1 Bucket to catch the lye
        Cover for jar
        Water
 

    Line the bottom of the pot with the straw. This will keep the ash from falling through the hole in the bottom.

    Next, fill the pot with the wood ash. Leave a small scoop of space in the top to add the water.

    Place the bucket under the pot to collect the resulting lye solution
How to use:
    Fill the remaining space in the jar with water. Allow the water to slowly be absorbed by the ash. Every day, replace the absorbed water. This is continued for 3 weeks. The lye will slowly drip into the bucket. When a slice of potato floats in the bucket, the lye is ready.
 

     Local methods for making lye are similar. A cloth is stretched between four poles and the wood ash is placed in the center. Water is slowly added as in above and the leaching lye is collected in a bucket underneath.

WARNING - Lye can cause chemical burns if it comes in contact with skin. Take care when handling lye. Vinegar can be used to neutralize the lye if there is accidental contact, so have some on hand when working with lye.