[1] Calcium stearate is produced by heating stearic acid and calcium oxide: It is also the main component of soap scum, a white solid that forms when soap is mixed with hard water.

Unlike soaps containing sodium and potassium, calcium stearate is insoluble in water and does not lather well.

[2] Commercially it is sold as a 50% dispersion in water or as a spray dried powder.

Calcium stearate is a waxy material with low solubility in water, unlike traditional sodium and potassium soaps.

It is also easy and cheap to produce, and exhibits low toxicity.