ABSTRACT
The chapter reviews the historic washing practices for linen and clothes and the contribution of surface active agents to the process. While in ancient times the cleaning of linen was achieved mechanically, by just beating them on stones and rinsing in water, in Rome, there was a kind of “industrial” laundry in which humble-rank people used the alkalinity of human urine and soil-absorbing porous hearths working for long hours on the linen in washing basins (and hopefully rinsing at the end). The early Middle Ages saw a return to the pre-Roman practices as whatever (extremely limited) quantity of soap available was directed to fibre and textile treatment. In the late Middle Age, the surface active content of some herbs and plants began to be exploited and remained in use until recently, although beating materials on stones was still common practice in backward areas until and after the Second World War. Soap began to be increasingly used as of the 18th century due to its broader availability and the higher standards of living. Finally, the advent of synthetic detergents and washing machines led to today’s habits in industrialised countries.
