Have you ever wondered just what is in that bar of soap you use? (Actually, it is just as important to ask what should be in it that isn't.) Many people don't know how soap is made or what makes one brand better than another. It is just not something that we take the time to look into. But as with most things, when you understand something, you can make smarter choices about what is best for your own use.

If you grew up on a farm, you probably watched someone make soap. They most likely used rendered lard and lye, and mixed the two in a big iron wash pot out in the yard. Farm soap took on the term "lye soap", and it got a really bad reputation for being harsh. "It didn't stop at the dirt" was the old saying.

Well, believe it or not, soap is still made by the same chemical reaction. The difference is that present-day oils and lye are more pure than what they had on the farms back when. Also, our understanding of soap chemistry is more highly developed now, and our ability to weigh and measure things precisely is much better. In short, modern soap is just a highly refined version of old fashioned soap.

Well, mostly.

There are some differences, and as you might expect, it has to do with sales and marketing. So let us set off on a short journey to understand soap. This new knowledge might make a difference in your life.