How Does Soap Work? - The English Soap Company (2024)

What is soap?

‘Soap’ is defined as fat or oil combined with an alkali. The oil is derived from an animal or plant, whereas the alkali is a chemical known as lye. The lye used in the production of bar soap is sodium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide is required for liquid soap.

Soap is produced by combining and then heating oil and lye. This chemical reaction is known as saponification. With soap bar production, the formula is then pressed into moulds.

The History of Soap

Records show that soap was produced as early as 2800BC by the Ancient Babylonians, but soap became particularly popular during the Victorian era, when mass production became feasible following the industrial revolution. This combined with a growing understanding of sanitary practises and advertising to encourage bathing with soap, ensured that the humble soap bar fast became an essential household object.

What is soap?

‘Soap’ is defined as fat or oil combined with an alkali. The oil is derived from an animal or plant, whereas the alkali is a chemical known as lye. The lye used in the production of bar soap is sodium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide is required for liquid soap.

Soap is produced by combining and then heating oil and lye. This chemical reaction is known as saponification. With soap bar production, the formula is then pressed into moulds.

The History of Soap

Records show that soap was produced as early as 2800BC by the Ancient Babylonians, but soap became particularly popular during the Victorian era, when mass production became feasible following the industrial revolution. This combined with a growing understanding of sanitary practises and advertising to encourage bathing with soap, ensured that the humble soap bar fast became an essential household object.

When you wash with soap and water, the soap molecules attach to fat and grease molecules. This is why a good lather is important. The grease is then rinsed away alongside the soap lather. See the Science Behind Soap below.

Fragrance is often added to the soap formula during the manufacturing process. When it comes to soap fragrance, the choice is endless! Explore The English Soap Company Soap fragrances here.

Added ingredients such as shea butter and vitamin E ensure washing with soap nourishes the skin and locks in moisture. Other natural ingredients such as sulphur, aloe vera and tea tree oil can reduce irritation and skin complaints.

Clean, running, hot water is best for cleansing with soap.

Why? Standing water may be contaminated, if possible, use water flowing from a tap. High temperature water softens and melts fats and oils, allowing them to attach more readily to the soap molecules. In turn, the hot water helps to soften the soap allowing it to lather and get to work more easily.

Wet the soap bar, rubbing to create a foam and begin to lather your hands, ensuring you rub the front and back of your hands, fingers and thumbs and under nails. Don’t forget those wrists! Continue for 30 seconds.

Why? Lathering activates the soap, allowing the soap molecules to attach more readily to dirt and microbes. Scrubbing hands creates friction, which physically helps lift dirt, grease and microbes from skin. Research suggests that washing hands for about 15-30 seconds removes more germs from hands than washing for shorter periods.

Rinse in clean running water, ensuring you wash away all the soap lather. Dry your hands thoroughly, preferably with a dry paper towel.

Why? By washing away the soap lather, all the dirt, germs and microbes attached to the soap molecules will be rinsed away with it.

Soap bar or liquid soap?

In January 2021, we introduced our very first liquid soap, launching the Kew Gardens Hand Washes. Our perfected liquid soap formula is now available in other collections including our beloved Anniversary Collection, Bath and Body and the all new Take Care Collection expansion.