A commodity first found its mention in ancient documents 4800 years ago. It is still being used in all households around the globe. The basic formula for which has still remained the same. No points in guessing folks. We are definitely talking about soaps. In fact from 2800 CE till 19th century, soaps were only used in solid form. Let us discover more about the history of soaps.
One of the texts tells us that soaps first found a mention in 2500 CE on clay tablets. Soaps were made by heating a mixture of wood ash and oil together. This mixture was used for washing clothes. It is very surprising how at that time, people were able to think of and conduct this chemical reaction.
After that, cut to 1500 CE, soaps find their mention in Egypt in the famous, Ebers papyrus. For those of you wondering, Ebers papyrus is a document about herbal knowledge from ancient Egypt. It was printed on sheets derived from plants. Ebers papyrus is now kept in a library in Germany. Egyptians were making soaps from heating wood ash and animal fat or plant fat. They used soaps for preparation of wool for weaving. During the same time, Palestinians were making soaps with wood ash and beef fat. They were a step ahead. This is because they were also adding aromatic herbs like lavender, to their soaps.
In 77 AD, soaps first find their mention in Roman culture. The word soaps is derived from Latin word sapo. So, the term in its popularity, has been given to us by the Romans. Here, soaps were used to wash and clean sores. Usage of soaps to clean body and clothes to wash away impurities became popular by 2nd century AD. Before that, Romans used to clean their bodies by massaging oil onto their skin and then scraping the dirt and oil from their bodies.
From 8th century to 12th century AD, toilet soaps with pleasant smell were produced massively in Middle East. Soaps were exported from Syria to other parts of the Muslim world and Europe. By 13th century AD, manufacture of soaps became industrialized in the Middle East.
By the second half of 15th century, France started semi industrialized manufacturing of soaps. Better and finer soaps were then produced in 16th century in Europe. These soaps were made using olive oil and other pure ingredients. So, now we know the secret behind the lovely smooth skin of women from then. It is at this time, that a group of soap makers were even granted monopoly by King Charles I, for this trade.
In the 18th century, fully industrialized soaps came into picture. An advertising campaign was launched in America and Europe highlighting the correlation between cleanliness and health.
In the 19th century, more chemists came into picture. They started making finer versions of the soaps. For example, in 1807, Andrew Pears made a high quality transparent soap. The product is now popularly known as Pears.
In 1886, William Hesketh Lever and his brother, James, bought a small soap works in Warrington. The brothers founded the largest soap business, formerly called Lever Brothers and now called Unilever.
With the advancement of time, industrialized production of soaps became chemical based. However, certain hobbyists, small scale manufacturers and those in love with pure and natural material, still make chemical free soaps. These soaps are made by using the age old method of cold processing of soaps.
At Smishi, we follow cold processed method of making soaps using pure and natural ingredients. Hence, our soaps are good for skin, act as a moisturizing agent and do not cause any harm because of their chemical free nature.
Hope you like this read of history of soaps from the time of yore till date. Please let us know your views in the comments section and write to us to know more about our products at hello@smishi.in .