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What is soap and how does it work?
The sudsy stuff we use every day of our lives is a mystery to most of us. But behind our cleaning products is an array of scientific data and information. This science and chemistry helps to ensure our products work and are safe for you and your family to use. The resources below will walk through what it means to be clean and how the cleaning process works. For more information and activities, we encourage you to check out…
What is the history of soap? And where did cleaning come from?
This history of soap is a long one, dating back thousands of years to Ancient Babylon. Humans have built on that knowledge to create the soaps and detergents we use to clean dishes, laundry, our homes and ourselves today.
Evidence has been found that ancient Babylonians understood soap making as early as 2800 BC Archeologists have found soap-like material…
No matter the type of product you are using (soap or detergent), good cleaning takes a lot of energy. Three different kinds to be exact:
Chemical energy, provided by the soap or detergent
Mechanical energy, provided by a machine or by hand
Thermal energy, provided by heating water Let’s look at how all these elements work together.
Assume we have a great, big, oily, greasy stain on one of our favorite shirts. Water alone…
Always use the proper amount of detergent when washing. What's the right amount? Read the label and keep in mind that too much detergent or too little can leave your clothes less clean than using the optimal amount. Follow the fabric care instructions on your clothing.
Also, be sure to keep all laundry products up and out of reach of children and adults with dementia. Detergents on the market today have been formulated and tested to be safe and effective…
Q: Will a bar of soap last longer if you let it air out or if you keep it closed up in a soap dish with a lid?
A: It's preferable to let it air out. If you keep your bar soap in a closed container, the soap will stay wet. As a result, it can become mushy and dissolve quicker.
Understand the language of soaps and detergents.
ALCOHOL: A class of organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl groups. The alcohols used in light duty and liquid laundry detergents are isopropanol or ethanol (ethyl alcohol). These alcohols are used at low levels in liquid detergent formulations to control viscosity, to act as a solvent for other ingredients, and to provide resistance to low and freezing temperatures encountered in shipping,…
Dishwashing is necessary to keep a kitchen clean and plates and silverware safe to use. While some pans and platters need to be washed by hand, the automatic dishwasher has made it much easier to complete this task. Whether it’s time to wash a sink full of dishes or just a few items, our fact sheet and expert advice will help you get the job done.
You will want to use a dishwashing detergent with effective cleaning performance regardless of the brand…
Q. Is it safe to use empty containers of laundry detergents and other cleaning products for arts and crafts projects now that it’s too cold for my kids to play outside?
A. Cleaning product containers are not toys. We encourage parents and teachers to keep cleaning products out of reach of children and pets. So, using cleaning product containers for crafts could send a mixed message to children.
There's lots to teach about cleaning! The origins of personal cleanliness date back to prehistoric times. Since water is essential for life, the earliest people lived near water and knew something about its cleansing properties - at least that it rinsed mud off their hands. And clean hands keep you from sharing germs. Browse ACI's publications for teacher resources.
STEM Education
The…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others is to wash our hands.
When should you clean your hands?
Regular handwashing with soap and running water is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. If soap and…