Other names for lye are sodium hydroxide and caustic soda. It's used as a strong chemical base in the industrial manufacture of several other things. These generally include pulp, paper, textiles, and detergents. It can be used as a drain cleaner and in the creation of drinking water.

Historically, soap was created through a hot process. Most soap today is established through the cold process method.

Made by hand soaps have too much to offer over those produced through industrial processes. When it comes to rendering it in the home, excess fats are usually used. This serves to consume the alkali. This technique is known as "superfatting."

Along the way of superfatting soap, the glycerin is not removed. Glycerin, or glycerine, is the common term for glycerol. This chemical compound is really a thick liquid that's both colorless and odorless. It's widely found in medicinal applications. Along with this area and that of personal care, it can be employed for and within food and beverages.

When it comes to the creation of made by hand soaps, glycerin works to make a naturally moisturizing soap (as against a pure detergent.)

Superfatting are often achieved by the addition of less lye, rather than extra fats.

These kind of soaps, using their excess of fat, are significantly more skin-friendly than those created through industrial methods. Obviously, if a lot of fats are included, excessive greasiness can be a result.

It's easy to understand why an individual may prefer these soap options as opposed to industrial ones. Along with their more mild treatment of skin, they're just of a high quality in general. Also, many people benefit from the organic appearance of such home made creations.

A "soaper," or individual who makes soap, may choose to get this done for these reasons, along with to help keep traditional practices alive. Historically, a certain area within a medieval household was responsible for the creation of wax, candles, and soap. This was called the "chandlery." A person who made or sold candles or soap was called a chandler.

Soap may also be created by those who have a pursuit in chemistry and other areas of manufacture. Today, it's be more and more common for folks to choose to produce organic soaps in place of utilizing synthetic detergents because of environmental concerns.