We may wash our clothes with ashes, also known as, lye. We sift the ashes to remove coal and then boil it. In order to give an aroma to the water, we may add to sprigs of wicker. We then strain the water in order to avoid any residues and the lye is ready. In previous years lye was used with green soap in a tub in order to wash clothes. Also, lye (without wicker) is still used today in the production of traditional Greek Christmas desserts: Melomakarona (honey biscuits) and Kourabiedes)
