This article briefly explains the properties of lye and the importance for lye as part of the soap making process. Please click here to read our full, comprehensive article on soap making with lye, including a free basic soap recipe, or to learn more about homemade soap download our free soap making guide. You may have asked this before, what exactly is lye? Lye is a caustic alkaline chemical that dissolves substances like fat, and has a high degree of reactivity with other materials. It Read more