Sipping on my coffee, I look down into my box of etee products and see our laundry detergent staring at me. 👀
I realize...
I don't know the history of laundry detergents! I know it might not be a sexy topic, but I found it interesting and thought I'd share with you ( If you didn't know already).
The Origins of Laundry Cleaning
In ancient times, garments were beaten over rocks and scrubbed with abrasive sand or stone. The Romans had a commercial laundry industry using human urine collected from public restrooms as a cleaning agent (containing ammonia) as soap was not widely available yet. That's right... urine.
To replace urine, plain soap was introduced, made from animal fat and wood ashes. This soap was effective for scrubbing by hand or washing in rivers, but it left clothes feeling stiff and crunchy. During the medieval era, the aversion to cleanliness even led to a decline in soap production, which some historians believe contributed to the spread of diseases like the Black Plague. Yikes!
The Rise of Washing Machines and Harsh Detergents
With the development of modern washing machines in the late 19th century, standard soaps proved too harsh on the internal mechanics. This paved the way for the development of alkali-based laundry detergents, which were gentler on machines but initially caused environmental issues by not breaking down properly in water systems. Some early detergents even contained harmful ingredients like phosphates, which contributed to algae blooms and water pollution.
The true revolution in laundry detergent occurred after World War II, as washing machines became commonplace in American homes. Here are some key milestones:
🧼 1950s: Liquid and powder detergents, bleaches, and fabric softeners hit the market. Tide, the first heavy-duty synthetic detergent, was launched by P&G using builders like phosphates.
🧼 1960s: Stain removers, pre-treatments, and enzymatic detergents were introduced.
🧼 1970s: Fabric conditioners were included in all-in-one detergent products. Liquid detergents became popular as they dissolved better than powders.
🧼 1980s: Varying temperature and concentrated detergents grew in popularity to reduce packaging waste.
🧼 1990s: Biodegradable and color-safe bleach options became available.
🧼 2000s: Green-friendly and water conservation became priorities.
🧼 2010s: Laundry pods (PVA), sheets (PVA), and detergents for synthetic fibers emerged for convenience and preventing overuse.
🧼 1960s: Stain removers, pre-treatments, and enzymatic detergents were introduced.
🧼 1970s: Fabric conditioners were included in all-in-one detergent products. Liquid detergents became popular as they dissolved better than powders.
🧼 1980s: Varying temperature and concentrated detergents grew in popularity to reduce packaging waste.
🧼 1990s: Biodegradable and color-safe bleach options became available.
🧼 2000s: Green-friendly and water conservation became priorities.
🧼 2010s: Laundry pods (PVA), sheets (PVA), and detergents for synthetic fibers emerged for convenience and preventing overuse.
The Case for Powder Detergents
While the laundry detergent industry has made strides in addressing these issues, powder detergents remain a more sustainable option for several reasons:
1. Concentrated formulas mean less packaging waste.
2. Longer shelf life reduces the need for frequent replacements.
3. Many powder detergents are free from concerning ingredients.
2. Longer shelf life reduces the need for frequent replacements.
3. Many powder detergents are free from concerning ingredients.
4. Lower emissions impact and no micro plastic pollution.
5. Powder detergents tend to be more economical and cost less per load compared to liquid detergents. Our Laundry powder gets you 180 loads 😮 providing better value for money.
5. Powder detergents tend to be more economical and cost less per load compared to liquid detergents. Our Laundry powder gets you 180 loads 😮 providing better value for money.
The history of laundry detergent is quite fascinating and will always continue to innovate to meet the evolving needs of consumers and the environment.
The journey continues as we strive for even more effective and sustainable cleaning solutions for you and our planet.
