easy to understand definition of alkali from soap
Soap is an alkali (like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) combined with fats. Together they go through a reaction called âsaponificationâ, and in the end you are left with soap. So, by the very definition of âsoapâ, you cannot have soap without lye.oap is an alkali (like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) combined with fats. Together they go through a reaction called âsaponificationâ, and in the end you are left with soap. So, by the very definition of âsoapâ, you cannot have soap without lye.