Soap Flakes ™
A publication of Pier Pleasure
How does Soap work ? When walking
through a store, have you ever noticed all the different kinds of soap? They come in a
variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and it seems that each is used for a specific
purpose. How did this business get so complex? In order to appreciate soap, it helps to
understand what soap is and learn a little about it’s history.
Most folks know that oil & water don’t mix. Since water and the oil produced by
the skin (which holds the dirt) do not mix, washing with water alone will not remove the
dirt and oil on the skin. This problem is solved with soap. A soap molecule contains two
portions: a carbon chain and an ionic end of sodium or potassium. The carbon chain of the
soap molecule is lipophilic, that is it is attracted to organic compounds (Aloves@ oil
compounds) while the ionic sodium or potassium end of the molecule is hydrophilic, that is
it Aloves@ water. In this way, the soap molecule is active for both oil and water. When
you wash with soap, your skin oils (which contain the dirt) mix with the soap molecule
which also mixes with water. When the soap suds are rinsed away, the oil and dirt go with
it.
The History of Soap The Romans
are often credited with the discovery of soap around 1000 B.C. Legend says that the fat
dripping off an animal sacrifice dripped into the ashes of the fire below it. Somehow this
mixture made it into the Tiber River where women were doing laundry. They discovered that
the clothes came clean easier with this substance. Since the hill they were on was known
as Sapo, the mixture was named after the hill, which became the modern word Asoap.”
The Romans used soap only for the purpose of cleaning clothes.
In the 17th century water was seen as a magical solution, and baths were used only when
directed by a physician. It was feared that if the water bath was used incorrectly,
disaster would strike. Over time, however, it became noted by practicing physicians that
people who bathed regularly were generally of better health than those who did not.
Unfortunately, the general public paid little attention to this fact.
During the 18th century the living standards in Europe increased. The desire to
“smell of flowers” caused an increase in the demand for domestic soap. Bathing
became popular. Until that time, soap was still generally used only for washing clothes.
In Colonial times, soap was made primarily from pork fat and a crude form of lye. The lye
was tested for suitability by dropping an egg into it. If the egg floated, the lye was too
strong. If it sank, the lye was too weak. It had to suspend or sink very slowly to be
right. The pork fat base (not the lye) made this soap good for washing clothes, but often
harsh to the skin. During World War I, soap as we know it today came into existence. The
injuries of war brought an increased need for cleaning agents. At the same time, the lack
of ready ingredients for soap and the aging time required to produce it needed to be
addressed to meet the demands. The answer was found in labs, and detergents were born.
What many do not know ... The
truth is few companies actually make “soap”. What we generally call soap comes
from a synthetic chemical base laden with additives & petroleum by-products. In fact,
most of what is sold in the supermarket is actually classified as a detergent by the U.S.
Government. Most of this base is produced by five independent “soap makers”. Of
these five soap makers, only three companies actually make their own base, meaning that
virtually all “soaps” start from the same synthetic chemical base despite their
differences in appearances.
The chemical base is purchased by manufacturing companies who add their own fragrances
& colors. To make the colors more vibrant and consistent, other chemicals are also
added. During the manufacturing process most of the glycerine (a naturally occurring
humectant) is removed to be sold to a more lucrative market. The last step is the addition
of a chemical catalyst to harden the “soap” quickly. This speeds the
manufacturing process and reduces damage to the product in shipment. The ready compound is
then injected into molds to form it into shape. The curing is so quick that in most cases,
it can be removed from the mold in under one hour.
The “End Result” Most
of the products you bathe with are actually synthetic detergents called bath or beauty
bars. These names are used to get around the legality that the products are not actually
soaps, while at the same time, spare the consumer the knowledge that one is bathing with a
synthetic chemical compound. Many people (such as my fiance) are allergic to chemical
compounds and find some commercial soaps cause them to break out in a rash. Many of these
people, (my fiance included) do not have this problem when using naturally made soaps.
My Soaps are made from natural ingredients. I use only pure oils such as Shea Butter,
Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, and Apricot Kernel Oil. Since the
oils are pure, they are costly and are purchased in small quantities and kept refrigerated
before use. The glycerine that occurs naturally during the soap making process is retained
within the soap. The PH level is balanced to a neutral seven. The modest coloring of my
soap is achieved with simple food coloring. All of my soaps harden naturally in molds over
a period of weeks. I use no hardening agents to “force” the process. My family
tests my soap batches before sale.
Soap making requires an investment in time and the ingredients are costly, but the results
are worth it. Your skin is cleansed with a mild and true soap, while the natural oils help
reduce the loss of your skin’s own natural oil. Please try one of my soaps and give
your skin a vacation. Your skin just may thank you for it !
I hope you found this publication of Soap Flakes interesting.
Sincerely,
Sandy & Ed Gowland
|
