About Liquid Hand Soap

The first liquid soaps date back to the 1800s. However, they were manufactured for washing dishes, clothing and miscellaneous cleaning. It was not until a lot of people began using their favorite dish soap brands like Dove, Joy or Palmolive as hand soaps that the industry understood that a customer want existed that needed to be filled.

History

The first liquid soap was patented in 1865 by William Shepphard, but it was 15 years before the product hit the marketplace. Minnetonka Corporation stopped competitors from following their lead by purchasing all of the pumping mechanisms needed to dispense their Soft Soap product. Colgate Company acquired Minnetonka around the turn of the century and they continue to produce a line of Soft Soap under that brand name. About the same time, the B.J. Johnson Soap Company began marketing a similar product, which was made from olive and palm oils. The ingredients were incorporated into the brand name. The new product quickly became the star in the Johnson soap line. The company eventually changed their name to match the brand--Palmolive.

Function

Early liquid hand soaps were made primarily for hospitals, restaurants and public facilities where regular hand washing was required. The original soaps were thicker and required a particular type of pump dispenser to deliver the product. The dispensers were expensive in spite of the fact that they clogged easily and were in constant need of repair or replacement. This combination of problems kept liquid soaps out of the household for many years. Eventually, consumer demand for a home version of liquid soap could not be ignored, nor could the additional qualities the customer wanted from the soap be overlooked. Some wanted soap that would soften hands. Some wanted one that soothed irritated skin. Others wanted the antibacterial qualities found in medical versions. This opened the floodgates for the wide variety of liquid hand soap products found in the marketplace today.

Types

There are many different types of liquid hand soaps to be found. They come in various colors, textures and scents and perform a variety of functions in addition to cleansing. Soaps with aloe vera soothe chapped skin. Antibacterial soaps keep bacteria from spreading. Shea butter soaps improve the skin elasticity. Moisturizing soaps preserve skin texture. Fragrance soaps offer aromatherapy. Some feel like luxurious hand creams. Others offer microderm abrasion for removal of dead skin cells. Some iimprove skin quality. Some turn from liquid to foam. Others come in bright colors that make using them fun for children. Dozens of new soap versions hit the shelves each year to be quickly scooped up by consumers who love what the products offer.

Benefits

Liquid soaps are easy to use, even for a child of four or five. They are less messy than bar soaps. Many come in beautifully designed containers that are perfect for countertop display. Liquid hand soaps can also be transferred to decorator containers in keeping with a kitchen or bathroom decor. Some are beautiful to look at while others are wonderful to smell. Most are relatively inexpensive, averaging around $2.99 for a standard sized 12-oz. bottle.

Potential

The liquid hand soap market continues to expand as manufacturers identify new ingredients that can be added to the product in response to a customer need. One of the latest trends has soap products moving into green areas, using organic products that are safe for both the environment and the consumer.