Abstract: The subject invention involves laundry bar compositions comprising:(a) from about 20% to about 70% surfactant, the surfactant consisting essentially of from about 50% to 100% soap and from 0% to about 50% alkylbenzene sulfonate;(b) from about 12% to about 24% water;(c) from about 61/4% to about 20% calculated excess alkali metal carbonate;(d) from about 2% to about 20% water-soluble inorganic strong-electrolyte salt;(e) from 0% to about 4% whole-cut starch;(f) from 0% to about 8% added alkali metal bicarbonate;(g) from 0% to about 30% phosphate builder;(h) from 0% to about 40% insoluble filler; and(j) from 0% to about 15% other ingredients selected from other builders, chelants, enzymes, soil release polymers, dye transfer inhibiting agents, fabric softeners, bleaching agents, gums, thickeners, binding agents, other starches, soil suspending agents, optical brighteners, colorants and opacifiers, perfumes, bluing agents, and mixtures thereof;the bar having a firmness measurement of at least about 10 kg.