An improved saturated soap characterised as follows: (a) it comprises saturated fatty acid radicals of which at least 98 % comprises predominantly a mixture of saturated C12-C16, (b) the percentage weight of C12-C14 fatty acid radicals is 75-95 % and that of C16-C18 is 5-25 %, (c) the fatty acid composition of fatty acid metal salt is 35-50 % C12, 35-50 % C14, and 5-15 % C16, (d) the fatty acid radicals are partially neutralised as mixed sodium and potassium soap noodles, the weight ratio of sodium hydroxide to potassium hydroxide being 9:1 to 2:1, (e) 0-7 % of free fatty acids, (f) water content can be 12 % or more at time of manufacture, (g) less than 1 % sodium chloride.