Abstract: A detergent soap composition in bar form comprising (1) an alkali metal or ammonium soap of a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid or mixture thereof, (2) a moisture content in the range of 6-14% by weight of total water, and (3) from about 0.5 to about 15% by weight of a structurant selected from the group consisting of tetrasodium pyrophosphate, a hydrate of tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and mixtures thereof. The structurant provides enhanced structural integrity, hardness, slough and wear- and crack-resistant characteristics to the bar. A method of preparing the detergent soap composition comprising mixing in a crutcher, the soap, water and FSPP at a temperature above 80.degree. C. and subsequently removing excess moisture at a temperature above about 80.degree. C. for a time sufficient to reduce the total water content of the mixture to from 6-14% by weight, followed by cooling and forming into a bar, is also disclosed.