Potash pit

Potash pits were kiln sites which were dug and lined with drystone walling for the production of potash prior to the Industrial Revolution. The scouring or degreasing of the natural lanolin from wool requires the application of soft soap produced using fat and an alkaline potash solution[1] that contains water-soluble potassium salts such as potassium carbonate and potassium hydroxide.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference H was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Potash, USGS 2008 Minerals Yearbook