10 SOAP FACTS THAT’LL CHANGE HOW YOU SEE YOUR SHOWER (5 IS INSANE!)

10 SOAP FACTS THAT’LL CHANGE HOW YOU SEE YOUR SHOWER – #5 IS INSANE!

The soap. That faithful companion of showers, hand washes, and relaxing moments under hot water. You use it daily, but have you ever wondered where it comes from? How is it made? Or even if it has ever been the subject of historical fights! Get your sponge ready, because today we bring you 10 soapy curiosities that will leave you cleaner than a monk's conscience.

1. SOAP WAS DISCOVERED BY ACCIDENT

The origin of today's 'soap' is attributed to the fact that, in ancient Rome, on Mount Sapo, the fat from animal sacrifices mixed with the ashes from bonfires and the rain did the rest. From there, the miraculous concoction slid down to the river and, oh surprise, people noticed that their clothes were cleaner.

2. SOAP WASN’T ALWAYS A “GUY THING”

In the era of industrial soap production back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the target audience was women, to whom commercial efforts were directed. Therefore, men felt that it 'was not for them' and it was not until about 30-50 years later that its use among the male audience began to become widespread (like with creams... you know the story, don't you? 😉)

3. HUMANS LOVE BREAKING SOAP RECORDS

Because humans love absurd records, someone decided to make a 5,200 kilogram soap bar. It was in 2014, in Saudi Arabia. We don't know how long it took to use it up, but that shower must have been epic. The most expensive soap bar? A Qatari Soap priced at $2,800 for a 100g bar. With gold inlays, of course.

4. MORE BUBBLES ≠ MORE CLEAN

Many people believe that if a soap produces more foam, it cleans better. False. Foam is just a visual and sensory effect when mixing certain ingredients with air, but it's not what removes dirt. There are soaps that barely make bubbles and clean like a boss. 💨

5. PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE AGES AVOIDED SOAP—BUT NOT FOR THE REASON YOU THINK

But not for the reasons you think! It's true that it was a luxury good that only the upper classes could access, but, on one hand, 'bathing' was considered to 'weaken' the body and, on the other hand, it was believed to eliminate 'fertility'. So all classes, high-born and lowly, avoided approaching the soap bar more than on special occasions and 'special' rituals.

6. VIKINGS WERE CLEANER THAN YOU THINK

Contrary to the image of dirty and savage barbarians, the Vikings were hygiene obsessives. They made their own soap, which they also used to rinse their hair and keep it blonde. So, if you see a Viking with impeccable hair in a series, it's not a historical error.

7. SOAP IS A HUGE SYMBOL IN POP CULTURE

In novels like 'The Great Gatsby' to eliminate 'moral' grime, in Cinderella as a symbol of transformation, in the famous scene from Psycho as a 'contrast' between purity and violence... If you see a pill in a movie, painting or novel; it means a ritual or moment of purification, renewal or introspection is coming soon.

8. SOLID SOAP CAN LAST FOR CENTURIES

If you ever find a soap from 30 years ago in your grandmother's house, it probably still works. Bar soaps, especially laundry ones, can last for decades without losing their cleaning power. The only thing that changes is that they become harder than a brick. There are remnants of 'soaps' rescued from Babylon in 2,800 BC.

9. SOAP HELPED KILL SILENT FILMS 🎥

Well... more or less. The first television ads were for soap, and thanks to the fortune that brands poured into advertising, "soap operas" were born. As soap commercials financed radio and television programs, silent cinema lost its strength and actors had to start speaking. 🎭

10. YES, SOAP CAN CATCH FIRE (DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME) 🔥

The soap has fat in its composition, and if it gets too hot, it can catch fire. So, it's not a good idea to put a piece of soap in the microwave to see what happens…

And now that you know all this, the next time you grab a bar of soap or hit the liquid soap dispenser, do it with #Respect. It's not just a bath product, it's a really cool story.

P.S.: If you're already thinking about leveling up your cleaning routine, remember that at Siwon we just launched a body soap line that pleases all 5 senses while taking care of your body. Mintastic wakes you up and removes pimples; Chill&Tea relaxes you and leaves your skin soft. Get them in pairs.

#10 FUN FACTS ABOUT SOAP... (The #5 blew my mind)

Soap. That faithful companion of showers, hand washes, and relaxing moments under hot water. You use it daily, but have you ever wondered where it comes from? How is it made? Or even if it has ever been the subject of historical fights! Get your sponge ready, because today we bring you 10 soapy curiosities that will leave you cleaner than a monk's conscience.

1. IT WAS DISCOVERED BY ACCIDENT

The origin of the current 'soap' is attributed to the fact that, in ancient Rome, on Mount Sapo, the fat from animal sacrifices mixed with the ashes of bonfires and the rain did the rest. From there, the miraculous concoction slipped into the river and, oh surprise, people noticed that their clothes were cleaner.

2. THE SOAP WAS NOT A "MAN'S THING"

In the era of industrial soap production back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the target audience was women, to whom commercial efforts were directed. Therefore, men felt that it 'was not for them' and it was not until about 30-50 years later when its use began to become widespread among the male audience (like with creams... you know the story, don't you? 😉).

3. AS WITH EVERYTHING, THERE ARE WORLD RECORDS

Because humans love absurd records, someone decided to make a 5,200 kilogram soap bar. It was in 2014, in Saudi Arabia. We don't know how long it took to use it up, but that shower must have been epic. The most expensive soap bar? A Qatari Soap priced at $2,800 for a 100g bar. With gold inlays, of course.

4. BUBBLES DON'T CLEAN

Many people believe that if a soap produces more foam, it cleans better. False. Foam is just a visual and sensory effect when mixing certain ingredients with air, but it's not what removes dirt. There are soaps that barely make bubbles and clean like a boss. 💨

5. IT WASN'T USED MUCH IN THE MIDDLE AGES

But not for the reasons you think! It's true that it was a luxury good that only the upper classes could afford, but on one hand, 'bathing' was considered to 'weaken' the body and, on the other hand, it was believed to eliminate 'fertility'. So all classes, both high-born and lowly, avoided approaching the soap bar except on 'special' occasions and rituals.

6. THE VIKINGS WERE SOAP FANATICS

Contrary to the image of dirty and savage barbarians, the Vikings were hygiene obsessives. They made their own soap, which they also used to rinse their hair and keep it blonde. So, if you see a Viking with impeccable hair in a series, it's not a historical mistake.

7. IT'S LOADED WITH SYMBOLISM

In novels like 'The Great Gatsby' to eliminate 'moral' grime, in Cinderella as a symbol of transformation, in the famous Psycho scene as a 'contrast' between purity and violence... If you see a pill in a movie, painting or novel; it means a ritual or moment of purification, renewal or introspection is coming soon.

8. THE SOAPS CAN LAST FOR CENTURIES

If you ever find a soap from 30 years ago in your grandmother's house, it probably still works. Bar soaps, especially laundry ones, can last for decades without losing their cleaning power. The only thing that changes is that they become harder than a brick. There are remnants of 'soaps' rescued from Babylon in 2,800 BC.

9. THE SOAP KILLED THE SILENT FILMS 🎥

Well... more or less. The first television ads were for soap, and thanks to the fortune that brands put into advertising, "soap operas" were born. As soap commercials financed radio and television programs, silent cinema lost strength and actors had to start speaking. 🎭

10. THE SOAP CAN BURN (BUT DON'T TRY IT AT HOME)🔥

The soap has fat in its composition, and if it gets too hot, it can catch fire. So, it's not a good idea to put a piece of soap in the microwave to see what happens…

And now that you know all this, the next time you grab a bar of soap or hit the liquid soap dispenser, do it with #Respect. It's not just a bath product, it's a really cool story.

P.S.: If you're already thinking about leveling up your cleaning routine, remember that at Siwon we just launched a body soap line that pleases all 5 senses while taking care of your body. Mintastic wakes you up and removes pimples; Chill&Tea relaxes you and leaves your skin soft. Get them in pairs.

Chill & Tea

12,99 €

15,99 €

Mintastic

12,99 €

15,99 €

Solid body soap with green tea, green clay, and shea butter

Cleans deeply without drying, nourishes without a greasy feeling, and leaves the skin restored and silky

BUY NOW

Solid body soap that cleanses, exfoliates and wakes you up every morning

Its blend of activated charcoal, mint, and volcanic powder removes impurities, softens the skin, and gives a glacial sensation

BUY NOW

Chill & Tea

12,99 €

15,99 €

Mintastic

12,99 €

15,99 €

Solid body soap with green tea, green clay, and shea butter

Cleans deeply without drying, nourishes without a greasy feeling, and leaves the skin restored and silky

BUY NOW

Body solid soap that cleanses, exfoliates and wakes you up every morning

Its blend of activated charcoal, mint, and volcanic powder removes impurities, softens the skin, and gives a glacial sensation

BUY NOW