Soapmaking compound is a term used to describe the combination of ingredients used to make soap. The three main components of a soapmaking compound are oleate (6 letters), LYE (3 letters), and oleic acid (9 letters). Oleate is a fatty acid derived from animal or vegetable fats and oils, LYE is a strong alkaline solution, and oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid found in many plant and animal oils. When combined, these three ingredients create a compound that can be used to make soap.