From humble beginnings to becoming a household essential, liquid soap has an interesting backstory that reflects our evolving needs and preferences for cleanliness.

Over the years, it has seen itself being partly replaced by hand sanitizers, especially in the wake of global health crises.

Let’s dive into the journey of liquid soap—from its invention to its current status and why hand sanitizers have gained popularity.

The Birth of Liquid Soap

The Origins of Soap:

Soap has been around for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, like the Babylonians and Egyptians, created soap-like substances using animal fats and wood ash. By the 19th century, soap was a regular household item, but it was still in bar form.

The Invention of Liquid Soap:

In 1865, William Sheppard patented the first liquid soap. His formula, which involved dissolving a solid soap in water, was more of a novelty than a necessity at the time. It wasn’t until the 1980s that liquid soap gained popularity, thanks to Robert R. Taylor, the founder of Minnetonka Corporation. Taylor invented "Softsoap," a liquid soap packaged in a convenient pump dispenser, and it quickly revolutionized the way people washed their hands. His invention capitalized on convenience, hygiene, and the prevention of shared germs, making liquid soap a household staple.

The Rise of Hand Sanitizers

The Shift Towards Hand Sanitizers:

While liquid soap gained popularity, a new contender was making its way into public awareness: hand sanitizer. The concept of using alcohol for disinfection dates back to the late 19th century, but the hand sanitizer we know today was invented in the 1960s by Lupe Hernandez, a nursing student in California. She realized that alcohol could be delivered in a gel form to clean hands when soap and water were unavailable. However, it took several decades and multiple flu outbreaks before hand sanitizers became mainstream.

Pandemics and Hand Sanitizer Popularity:

The SARS outbreak in 2002 and later the H1N1 pandemic in 2009 saw a significant rise in the use of hand sanitizers. But it was the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that cemented hand sanitizers as a necessity. With frequent handwashing and sanitization becoming critical, hand sanitizer was everywhere—at entrances, on counters, and even in pockets. It became a quick and convenient alternative when soap and water weren't readily accessible.

Why Did Hand Sanitizers Replace Soap in Some Contexts?

Convenience and Portability:

Hand sanitizers are incredibly convenient. They don’t require water or a towel and can be used anywhere, anytime. This makes them a perfect solution for on-the-go hygiene, particularly in public places or during travel.

Effective in Killing Germs:

Hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol are effective against many types of germs and bacteria. While soap physically removes dirt, oils, and microbes from the skin, hand sanitizer can quickly kill a range of pathogens on contact.

Changing Habits Due to Health Concerns:

With global health scares and awareness of how germs spread, people became more conscious of maintaining personal hygiene. Hand sanitizers offered a fast, easy solution to maintain hand hygiene, especially when soap and water were not available.

Will Soap Make a Comeback?

The Ongoing Importance of Soap:

While hand sanitizers have become an integral part of our lives, soap has not lost its relevance. According to health experts, washing hands with soap and water remains the most effective way to remove certain types of germs, including some viruses and bacteria, as it physically removes debris from the skin.

A Dual Approach to Hygiene:

Rather than replacing soap, hand sanitizers have become an additional tool in our hygiene toolkit. Both have their place: soap for comprehensive cleaning when water is available, and hand sanitizer for quick disinfecting on the go.

Soap or sanitiser? Which works better?

Video by The Hindu

The invention of liquid soap transformed handwashing from a mundane task to a more convenient and effective routine, while hand sanitizers have offered a portable solution for times when soap and water are not accessible. In the ever-evolving landscape of personal hygiene, both products serve essential roles, ensuring our hands stay clean and germ-free. As we navigate future health challenges, this dual approach of using both soap and hand sanitizer seems here to stay, offering us the best of both worlds.