 Various chemicals may be used to increase the solvent power of water, such as the compounds in soaproot or yucca-root used by Native American tribes, or the ash lye (usually sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) once widely used for soaking laundry in Europe.Soap, a compound made from lye and fat, is an ancient and common laundry aid.Modern washing machines typically use synthetic powdered or liquid laundry detergent in place of more traditional soap.