History of soap

The origin of soap is wrapped in many mysteries and legends.  According to the information received, soap was produced in the ancient Sumeria and Babylon (about 2800 BC) and Egyptian papyrus shows that Egyptians bathed regularly with soap.  One legend connected appearance of soap, and even the word “soap” (English), with Mountain Sapo where ancient Rome burned carcasses of the sacrificed animals.  At the foot of the mountains flows a river Tiber, where clothing was regularly washed.  Animal fat, released by burning of the animal, flocked and mingled with the ashes of the fire (natural alkali), then rain washed it off into the river. The river waters began to foam and washed dirt of the textile fabric.  Observant humans caught up to the fact that soap mixture made clothing cleaning a much easier process.

This mixture property was used four thousand years ago to create a soap-like substance "Sapo."  It was used not only for hygiene purposes, but also for cosmetic purposes. Sticky, easily drying and quickly washable substance was used for hair styling.  Furthermore, this mixture could be used to dye hair in yellow, pink or red colors. As soon as the substance was mixed with water, it formed thick foam. When it was washed, hair became clean and silky.

The Scythian women made the washing powder from cypress wood and cedar, and mixed it with water and incense. The resulting soft ointment had a delicate flavor and they rubbed it all over their body. Afterwards, they removed ointment with scrapers, and their skin became clean and smooth.  After the soap was long invented, many people continued to use liquor, bean flour, glue, pumice, barley and ferment the clay to wash themselves.

The discovery of soap for hygiene purposes is credited to famous ancient physician Galen, who lived in the II Century AD.

After the fall of Roman Empire, the notion of soap washing was lost, and soap use was forgotten for many centuries.  In France and England, soap reappeared only in the XIII century and was produced only by knowing the “ins” and “outs” of this fine art process by pharmacists belonging to noble families.

It wasn’t until 1424 that soap began to be produced industrially in Italy.  Instead of combining fat with ashes, it was combined with natural calcimined soda, which was obtained from the lakes. To cook soap, they used beef, lamb, pork, horse fat, bone, whale and fish oil, waste fats of different industries.  They added vegetable oils - linseed, cottonseed, olive, almond, sesame, coconut and palm.

Many centuries ago, there was soap in Russia, where in ancient times people were clean with a habit of regularly washing themselves in the bath and steamroom. Soap was made often - at home and in the workshops of artisans. Then soap factories were developed.

In the Middle ages, main suppliers of soap in Europe were Naples and Marseilles. Other cities gradually learned the craft of making soap as well. The attitude towards developing this trade became serious.  In 1399, King Henry IV of England established the Order, a special privilege for members who believed ...in the washing in the bath-houses with soap.  In this country, for a long time under the threat of death, member of the guild soap-boiler was forbidden to sleep under the same house roof with the masters of other crafts - in order not to betray the secret of making soap.  In the second half of XVII century, France issued a royal decree allowing brew of soap only in the summer and only to be made out of ashes and olive oil.

In Russia, the process of making soap began during the reign of Peter I; however, until the middle of the XIX century it was exclusively used by those in the “know.”

Gradually, the process of soap making has evolved.  Factory method for producing calcimined soda and caustic soda was developed, which is a much cheaper way to produce soap.  Production of modern beauty and laundry soap – became easier through automated and chemical processes.  In recent years, different flavors and disinfectants became more widespread.  Many properties of soap, for example, water solubility, foaming, detergency, cleaning and antibacterial properties depend on its composition and additives. Supplements such as various dyes, natural products and herbs make soaps mild, fragrant, giving it healing and moisturizing properties.  Soap gently cleanses and moisturizes skin, with cosmetic and dermatological virtues, restoring and maintaining health and beauty of the skin.

The ancient Romans did not even think it would be possible to produce liquid, antibacterial, glycerin, exfoliating soap.  A variety of fragrances will satisfy the taste of even the most demanding customer.  Lavender, sandalwood, tangerine, peach, grapes, almonds, honey and many other natural ingredients are presented primarily for emotional enjoyment.  It is so nice to breathe the aura of your favorite flowers or fruit while lathering.

Thanks to the current technology, there is no limit to the rich variety of produced soap!