ABSTRACT
By the early 20th century, soaps were widely used for both linen and garment cleaning and personal hygiene. Yet they have the major shortcoming of losing surface activity and cleaning power when used in hard water due to the precipitation of insoluble calcium and magnesium salts. This was partly overcome by formulating with ion-sequestering agents, and the performance was further enhanced by combining with a bleaching agent. Although this made much less labour-intensive the task of laundering, society was experiencing changes that left less and less time for housekeeping. The development of washing machines and the advent of synthetic surface active agents in laundry formulations made soaps obsolete. Synthetic surface active agents became the pivotal components of hair and body shampoos, but soaps with an improved leather profile, reduced eye irritation, and mildness to skin and skin feeling still retain a respectable share in the body hygiene market.
