Oddbean new post about login | logout @aba3e4c9 @d0e09e5d You could make lye the old fashioned way by letting the rain flow through your wood ash. Repour through multiple times for added strength. You could put your baking soda in the oven at 350ish for a while and convert it into washing soda, a more basic compound. I sometimes make it on the stovetop in a stainless skillet too.