Hisory Of Soap essays

Hisory Of Soap essays Have you ever wondered where soap came from? We use it everyday for all kinds of things. Cleaning ourselves, washing clothes, and dishes. But this idea of cleanliness we have in our society today is no new thing. The origins of cleanliness date back to prehistoric times. The earliest people had to live near water because it is essential for life thus they knew of its cleansing properties. At least that it would wash the dirt of their hands. I would like to fill you in on some of the history of soap so the next time youre washing your hands or doing laundry you will know where that soap came from. The name soap originated from an old ancient Roman legend. Animals were sacrificed on Mount Sapo, and the rain washed a mixture of their fat and ashes down into the clay soil in a river. Women who would wash in this river found that this clay-like mixture cleaned their wash better and took a lot less effort. In an Article by Sarah Janes it is stated that the history of soap dates as far back as 2800 B.C. where a soap-like substance was found in clay. Ancient inscriptions reported that boiling fats and combining them with ashes was the method used to produce soap; however, the actual usage of soap was not recorded. According to the book Soap through the Ages, it is believed that this substance was used as a hair pomade rather then for washing purposes. Documents show that ancient Egyptians bathed and cleaned themselves regularly. A medical document from around 1500 B.C. reported that they combined animal and vegetable oils with salt to make a soap-like substance that was used for cleansing and treatment of skin diseases. As Roman civilizations advanced, so did bathing. The first of the famous Roman baths was built about 312 B.C. The Roman baths were very luxurious, and bathing was extremely popular. By the second century A.D. soap was being recommended by physicians for medicinal and cleansing purposes...