Alkali salts are soluble hydroxides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, of which common examples are:
* Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) &ndash; often called "caustic soda"
* Potassium hydroxide (KOH) &ndash; commonly called "caustic potash"
* Lye &ndash; generic term for either of two previous salts or their mixture
* Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)) &ndash; saturated solution known as "limewater"
* Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)) &ndash; an atypical alkali since it has low solubility in water (although the dissolved portion is considered a strong base due to complete dissociation of its ions)