The Intriguing History Of Wax Melt Soaps

Soap has long been an essential in terms of basic hygiene and self-care, though this common household item has a surprisingly long and detailed history. Composed of only a few ingredients, within this blog post, we’ll be taking a look through the entire history of soap as we know it – from the very origins, to modern day interpretations. Masters of the craft, let Soak Rochford Outline the facts and important information, including the invention of soap, development of products and businesses, alongside contemporary wax melt soap.

The Invention Of Soap

Long before wholesale soap supplies, bath wax and wax melt soaps were introduced into the equation, it is widely accepted that the initial discovery of soap took place on the slopes of Sappo Hill in ancient Rome. As the story goes, a group of Roman women were engaged in the task of washing their garments in the waters of the River Tiber. On this particular day, the river received a mixture of soapy clay formed by the runoff of animal fats from nearby sacrificial rituals, and to their surprise, these women soon realised that this peculiar substance made their clothes remarkably cleaner. This marks the very earliest instance of a soap-like substance being used to clean garments.

Away from this accidental discovery, soap was further used by the ancient Babylonians, who are credited with its invention by most. The evidence supporting this claim comes from clay containers of Babylonian origin, dating as far back as 2800 BC. These containers bear inscriptions containing the earliest known written recipe for soap, and according to these inscriptions, the soap was crafted from a combination of fats, wood ash, and water. It’s worth noting that these early references to soap and its production primarily revolved around the use of soap for washing wool and cotton rather than as a body-cleansing agent.

Early Ideas

The Ebers papyrus, dating back to 1550 BC in Egypt, provides insights into the ancient Egyptians’ practices of creating soap-like substances – by combining animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts. This mixture served multiple purposes, including the treatment of sores, skin ailments, and general cleansing in addition. A natural development, by around 600 BC, according to Pliny the Elder, the Phoenicians crafted soap from goat’s tallow and wood ashes. The first hints of mass-produced soap came much later, following the excavation of a complete soap factory within the ruins of Pompeii, the famous city buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The soap industry already had a notable presence in the Roman Empire.

During the initial centuries of the Common Era, soap was primarily utilised by physicians for medicinal purposes rather than personal hygiene. The use of soap for personal cleansing gained popularity in the later periods of the Roman era, during a time when Arabians pioneered the production of soap from vegetable oils, such as olive oil and aromatic oils like thyme oil. They introduced the use of a Sodium Lye formula, a practice that remains unchanged in contemporary soap manufacturing amazingly enough. Arabian soap was renowned for its perfumed and colourful varieties, encompassing both liquid and solid soap options – which is also still a desirable quality of modern soap.

The Development Of Products

In the 9th century, soap production in Europe relied on animal fats and emitted an unpleasant odour – not exactly an ideal quality when we’re discussing hygiene products. This changed with the introduction of olive oil into soap recipes, which prompted a significant shift in soap production to the olive-rich Mediterranean regions of Europe. By the 15th century, soap production had evolved into a fully-industrialised process, with key centres of production in Antwerp, Castile, Marseille, Naples, and Venice to name but a few. This was prior to England implementing a soap tax, which transformed soap into a luxury item that only the affluent could afford.

Officials ensured that soapmaking equipment remained securely locked when not in use, while this period also enforced a law requiring soap boilers to produce a minimum quantity of one imperial ton of soap during each boiling session – a requirement that subsequently made soap production unattainable for the average person. Despite this, the soap industry experienced a surge in activity and deregulation when the soap tax was finally repealed in 1853, when industrially manufactured bar soaps became widely available. Advertising campaigns in both Europe and America played a pivotal role in raising public awareness about the connection between cleanliness and good health, and the appeal of these handy products has certainly stuck around.

Commercialisation Of Soap

In the 1850s, William Gossage revolutionised the soap industry by producing high-quality soap at affordable prices. Similarly, Robert Spear Hudson entered the scene in 1837, initially crafting soap powder through manual grinding. During this same period, William Hesketh Lever and his brother, James, purchased a small soap factory in Warrington, laying the foundation for one of the largest soap businesses, formerly known as Lever Brothers – and now as Unilever. The invention of liquid soap was a 19th-century development when in 1865, William Sheppard patented a liquid soap, and in 1898, B.J. Johnson introduced a soap derived from palm and olive oils, creating the Palmolive brand. This new soap quickly gained popularity, leading to the renaming of the B.J. Johnson Soap Company as Palmolive.

This basic chemistry of soap production remained unchanged until 1916. During both World War I and World War II, shortages of animal and vegetable fats and oils, essential for soap production, prompted chemists to find alternative materials that could be synthesised into detergent-like substances. These substances are now known as detergents. Modern cleansers incorporate various additional ingredients, such as brighteners, water softeners, antibacterials, and antivirals like alcohol, benzalkonium chloride, and chloroxylenol. These contemporary cleaning products may still contain some of the traditional soap ingredients, whether derived from animal fats (listed as sodium tallowate and sodium lardate) or vegetable fats like sodium palmitate and sodium cocoate.

Wax Melt Soap Outlined

A unique product compared to traditional soaps, wax melt soaps are an interesting alternative, acting as a sort of candle which can be melted to produce a particular scent. Unlike regular soaps, these products function as both a cleansing agent and an aromatic delight. Wax melt soaps resemble candles in form and function, but instead of emitting a flame, they release fragrances when melted. Crafted from a blend of waxes and other ingredients, Soak Rochford soap alternatives are designed to elevate your bathing routine. By simply heating them, either through a wax melt warmer or even by hand, these products transform into a luxurious pool of scented liquid soap. This fusion of hygiene essential and aromatherapy addition makes wax melt soaps a truly novel and indulgent addition to personal care routines, offering a delightful sensory journey with every use.

Soak Rochford: Wholesale Soap Supplies, Bath Wax And More

At Soak Rochford, we’re committed to stocking the largest variety of soap, body butter and body scrub products on the market, offering exclusive deals, brilliant offers and comprehensive product kits. For the would-be soap or self-care product supplier, our array of moulds, assessments and fragrances aren’t to be missed – and with new items being added weekly, why not check back for the latest in kits and merchandise? For everything from soap piping accessories to your very own oval soap mould, Contact us today and learn more about the genuine benefits of crafting your own DIY soaps, oils and glitters.