Is it essential when doing ghusl for janaabah to wash with soap?

What is required
when doing ghusl in the case of major impurity is to make the water reach
every part of the body. It is not stipulated that soap or any other
cleansing material be used, because none of those who described the ghusl of
the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in the case of
janaabah said anything about him using lotus leaves or any other kind of
cleansing material. Rather all he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
did was to pour water over his body and make it reach every part. 

For example,
‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), when he did ghusl in the case of
janaabah, used to pour three scoops of water with his hands, then pour water
over all of his skin. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 240 

It was narrated
that Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: I said: O Messenger
of Allaah, I am a woman with tightly braided hair; should I undo it for
ghusl from janaabah? He said: “No; it is sufficient for you to pour three
handfuls of water over your head, then pour water over you, and you will
become pure.” Narrated by Muslim, 330. 

The scholars of
the Standing Committee were asked (5/315): Should one wash with soap after
janaabah, and why? 

They replied: It
is obligatory to do ghusl for janaabah using water, but it is not essential
to use cleansing materials such as soap and the like. This is what is
indicated by the Sunnah of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him). But if one uses soap or some other cleansing material, there is
nothing wrong with that.

End quote. 

And Allah knows best.