Reference

To Soften Water

p. 562 · The White House Cook Book
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Add half a pound of the best quick-lime dissolved in water to every

hundred gallons. Smaller proportions may be more conveniently managed,

and if allowed to stand a short time the lime will have united with

the carbonate of lime, and been deposited at the bottom of the

receptacle. Another way is to put a gallon of lye into a barrelful of

water, or two or three shovelfuls of wood-ashes, let stand over night;

it will be clear and soft.

Original source page for To Soften Water
p. 562