Why is soap alkaline?

[MadMadamMim]

"...saponification has occured, the pH could be raised to a certain degree (pH 7?) but after that point, the addition of the acid would break apart the bonds formed during saponification so we'd have a soupy mess? (technical term) ..."

Yes, Madam, you are basically correct, with the caveat that pH is lowered by adding acid, not raised. The pH at which the soap will begin to break down into a soupy mess (definitely a technical term!) will be something above 8, depending on the fatty acids in the recipe. No lye soap will ever have a pH of 7 and still be lye soap.

Many thanks DeeAnna! You just saved me a big soupy mess because I was going to try it. What a waste that would have been :cry:


I understand that the high pH raises the cuticles on the hair and to that extent does damage hair. But even just water does that, though perhaps to a lesser degree? I don't know but from my own experience, my hair has never felt and looked better since I started using purchased shampoo bars (soap, not solid shampoo) about a year ago. I do always follow with an apple cider vinegar rinse. So I guess, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."