Soaps: A Journey Through Time

Have you ever thought about who invented a bar that magically cleans off dirt and nasty bodily fluids? Well, the history of soaps is a long and interesting one. Soap has been around for thousands of years. Accordingly, its invention is credited to many people in different parts of the world.  So, let's explore the journey of soaps through time!

When Was Soap First Invented? 

The Ancient Babylonians are frequently credited with creating a primitive form of soap. At that time, they created soap by boiling animal fats with wood ashes. This way, they leveraged the ensuing chemical reaction to produce a cleansing agent. Hence, it was a stepping stone in the history of personal hygiene. 

In contrast, the Ancient Egyptians refined soap-making further. As documented in the Ebers Papyrus around 1550 BC, they integrated various organic oils with alkaline salts. The purpose was to create a more sophisticated substance for washing their bodies and clothes. Here, they combined various fats, including goat and vegetable fats to make the soap-like substances milder and more versatile. 

When Was Soap Invented in Europe? 

Until the 18th century, soap production was a very time-consuming process. However, Soapmaking became an industrial process in the 18th century, and it soon became a popular item in Europe and America. Soap was used to cleanse both people and objects. As of today, soap has become an essential part of everyday life. 

When Was Soap Invented for Bathing 

Speaking of when was bath soap invented, we need to date back to the early beginnings of soap making. It was literally an exclusive technique used by small groups of soap makers. At that time, the demand for soap was high. However, it was very expensive and there was a monopoly on soap production in many areas.  

Over time, recipes for soap-making became more widely known. Yet, soap was still expensive. Back then, plant byproducts and animal and vegetable oils were the main ingredients.  

Later on, the price of soap was significantly reduced in 1791. Thanks to a Frenchman by the name of LeBlanc who discovered a chemical process, people could get soaps for significantly less money.  

More than 20 years later, another Frenchman identified the combination of glycerin, fats, and acid. This marked the beginning of modern soap making. Accordingly, with the 1800 discovery of another method of making soap ingredients, soap became even less expensive.  

How About Other Types of Soaps?  

Yes, we know various types of soaps today. Many brands have been presenting their soaps in custom soap packaging boxes wholesale. To grab more attention, they design the boxes by working with reliable companies, like Silver Edge Packaging.

For sure, different soaps have their history, too. Let’s break it down! 

When Was Hand Soap Invented? 

Hand soap was invented in the late 19th century. Before that, people used a variety of different methods to clean their hands, such as water and cloths, or sand and ashes. 

Then, they found out that hand soap was a more effective way to cleanse hands. Thus, it became a popular item in households around the world. 

When Was Bar Soap Invented? 

The first true bars of soap were not invented until 1869. The soap bar in custom printed soap sleeves packaging was extremely popular shortly after 1900.  

When Was Liquid Soap Invented? 

Liquid hand soap was a huge success, with the first liquid hand soap was patented in 1947. Then, within five years liquid soaps made up over thirty percent of the market share. 

When Was Dish Soap Invented? 

Dishwashing liquid was invented in the early part of the 20th century. Before the invention, people relied on a variety of different methods to clean their dishes and cooking utensils. 

When Was Laundry Soap Invented?

Wondering when was clothing soap invented? 

The first detergent was produced in Germany during World War I. In 1946, the first built detergent appeared, comprising two substances: 

• A surfactant: a surface-acting agent or soap 
• A builder: a chemical that enhances the performance of the surfactant as well as rendering the laundering process more effective in other ways 

Pushed along by economic prosperity and the development of cheap washing machines after World War II, detergent sales soared by 1953. 

When Was Lather Soap Invented? 

In 1919 Frank Shields, a former MIT professor developed the first shaving cream. The innovative product appeared on the American market under the name Barbasol. The product offered men an alternative to using a brush to work soap into a lather. 

Wrapping Up 

No doubt, soap has come a long way, and it is now used to cleanse both the body and the home. Soap is a life-saving product that has been around for thousands of years. Hence, its invention is something that we should all be grateful for.