The History Of Soap, Liquid Hand Soap And Other InformationPosted January 14 2013
History of Soap
In early history the first written evidence of soap is dated around 2800 B.C. in Babylon, where a mixture of ashes, water and cassia oil was recorded as a soap like substance. It was used to clean wool and cotton and was used medicinally. In a 1550 BC, papyrus shows that the Egyptians also produced soap like matter similarly using a mixture of alkali and vegetable oils. Early Romans in the first Century A.D. referred to this substance as “sapo” (Latin for soap) which was made from tallow and ashes and used as pomade for hair. The Celts and Gauls, masters of soap making, made their soap similarly from animal fat mixed with ashes calling the product “saipo”. By the sixth century soap makers were members of a reputable guild and by the end of the eight century, soap making became a well-known profession both in Italy and in Spain manufacturing soap from goat fat and beech tree ashes. The profession noticeably progressed after the 8th century when Soap makers began manufacturing soap from olive oil and alkali. These soaps were undoubtedly better quality for bathing and washing compared to those made elsewhere. Alkali is essentially ashes; the word alkali was derived from al-qaly or "ashes". Later in the 19th century it the benefits of personal hygiene were confirmed, thus increasing the demand for soap. Today, marketing of soap way surpassed mere hygienic issues, developing soap into a cosmetic phenomenon, which made the user “beautiful”.
Today, soap as well as liquid hand soap is as much a part of life as air and water, and there are numerous different types offered. Today’s soaps are derivatives of fatty acids – in fact they are a product of the reaction between alkalis and the fatty acids - and customarily are made of triglycerides. Soap works essentially by allowing the insoluble oil and fat particles to become soluble, so that they may be simply rinsed away with water. Many manufacturers remove all or some portion of this glycerin to prepare other toiletries and cosmetics.
There are three basic methods for manufacturing soap:
1. Soaps made by mixing fatty acids (such as olive oil or hemp oil) and sodium hydroxide at room temperature is called “cold process”. This process takes roughly six weeks to complete and produces a long lasting, mild and moisturizing soap.
2. “Hot process” soap making unlike the above mentioned cold-process method takes place in near boiling temperatures and does not require longer cure time. The product is easier to slice, as it will not crumble making it a preferred choice for those soap makers who need a quicker turn around.
3. The “fully boiled” process is where the ingredients come to a full boil producing the required product.
Liquid soap was not manufactured until 1865 and was widely accepted by 1980. They are in fact very complicated to manufacture and many of the commercial liquid soaps are nothing but detergents. Not touching the actual soap surface helps in avoiding dirt and germ remaining on the soap’s surface, making liquid soap more hygienic. On the other hand, liquid soap has a tendency to remove skin moisture, resulting in dry skin. Some brands do contain various moisturizing agents benefiting our skin and providing germ elimination – which is really the primary purpose of soap.Liquid Hand Soap