People have been fighting dirt for a very long time. Here's how the battle went.
Quick answer: people washed with water, rocks and ash, then soap. Synthetic detergents took off in the 20th century, followed by liquids, pods and now sheets.†
Five eras
| Era | How people washed |
|---|---|
| Ancient times | Water, rocks, ash and plant soaps† |
| Soap age | Soap made from fats and lye† |
| Synthetic detergents | Powders in the 1900s† |
| Liquids | Jugs and caps† |
| Pods and sheets | Pre-measured doses† |
The ancient world
River rocks, beating sticks and simple soaps did the job.† Arm workouts were included at no extra charge.
The detergent boom
Synthetic detergents worked better in hard water than soap.† That changed laundry for good.
Where sheets fit
Sheets take the idea of a pre-measured dose and make it dry, flat and light. Just 7 takes it one step further: a short list (read it).
FAQ
When was laundry detergent invented? Synthetic detergents spread in the 20th century.†
What did people use before detergent? Water, ash, rocks and soap.
What's the difference between soap and detergent? Detergent works better in hard water.†
When did laundry sheets appear?†
Seven ingredients. Zero compromise.
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