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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…
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…
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 the very least that it rinsed mud off their hands! Fast forward to the Seventh Century when soap making was an established craft in Europe. Soap maker guilds guarded their trade secrets very closely. Vegetable and animal oils were used with ashes of plants, along with…
Soaps and detergents are essential to personal and public health. Through their ability to loosen and remove soil from a surface, they contribute to good personal hygiene; reduce the presence of germs that cause infectious diseases; extend the useful life of clothes, tableware, linens, surfaces and furnishings; and make our homes and workplaces more pleasant.
Why Clean
Over the course of…
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…
Keeping clean and healthy when you are not at home is important. Get school cleaning resources, including tips for students and custodians.
Clean Hands at School
Kids get dirty, it's true... but cleaning your hands before eating and after using the restroom can help you stay healthy. Learn when, why and how you should clean your hands.
Hand…
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…
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) has enhanced and expanded its “Exploration Clean” online experience to further help teach middle-school students the science and chemistry behind cleaning. New features include:
A new, interactive surfactant game – "Get the Dirt"
Updated Science of Soap ebook
Ingredients reimagined as Characters of the Cleaning Court
This site relaunch is the next step in building educational modules for children describing the science and…
Scott Tuchinsky, Business Head, Consumer Care North America, Croda, Inc., is the newest member of the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Board of Directors.
Mr. Tuchinsky was elected by the ACI Board during its meeting in Washington, D.C.
“Scott’s long history working within the cleaning product supply chain adds to the breadth, depth and expertise that makes our Board leadership so strong and impactful,” said Melissa Hockstad, ACI President & CEO.
The American…