Final answer:
Colonists during colonial times were making soap by combining potassium hydroxide extracted from wood ashes with animal fat.
Step-by-step explanation:
The colonists were making soap by extracting potassium hydroxide from wood ashes and mixing it with animal fat. This process, known as soap making, was a common practice during colonial times. The potassium hydroxide in the ashes reacted with the fats to create soap.
Learn more about soap making during colonial times