ROMANCE OF SOAP

Evening Star, Issue 21823, 12 September 1934, Page 7

ROMANCE OF SOAP

HOW THE WORLD WASHES Soap has honourable mention in the earliest records of mankind. But the “soap ” of the Old Testament was probably nothing more than a mixture of various ashes; and the hard and soft detergents used by the Germans, as recorded by Pliny, were far removed from the fragrancy of modern soaps, says the ‘ Economist.’ In fact, modern soap manufacture can be datefrom the thirteenth century, when olive oil was first used as the fatty element. At the beginning of the nineteenth century advances m the knowledge of oils and fats led to the utilisation of all kinds of oils, however derived, in the production of soap; and cheapness of manufacture combined with the exigiencies of a new social order during that century altered the plentiful use of soap from a luxury into a conventional necessity. Actually the soap industry in most countries is one of the few to show any appreciable progress in the world economic depression, adds the writer in the ‘ Economist.’ The increased demand has been chiefly due to increased population in various parts of the world, out partly also to lower prices. The cheapening of soap is due to the substantial decline in the price of tallow, whale oil, and other fats which are used iii the manufacture of soap. As will be seen from the figures given below, the consumption of soap per head in various countries remains fairly stable, while showing very remarkable differences between' the various countries. It has sometimes been said that the use of soap is one of the most valid measures of a country’s level in culture. But, looking at the statistics below, invidious comparisons could be made. Possibly in some of the countries where this figure is lamentably low other substances than soap _ may be used. Again, soap consumption alone may not be a sure guide, since it will be noted that the consumption per head in this country is much below that of the United States of America. Yet who shall say we. are correspondingly lower in the scale of culture. Further, our soap may be much better, more efficient, and more economical, so that one pound does as much work in the great cause of cleanliness and hygiene as two pounds of American soap. It is an interesting and important, fact that in the United States vigorous campaigns have been carried on for years by the soap manufacturers for the Eurpose of educating the public in ealth and hygiene, and in the supreme role that soap plays in this connection. It is evident that propaganda of this nature, once it is brought hbme to a great nation as jealous of its health as the American, must prove extremely effective in increasing demand for soap. Some of the more successful of our English manufacturers have also used the gospel of health very effectively in their advertising during the _ last two or three years. There remains much scope for missionary work of this kind in many parts of the world; and if the low per capita consumption in China, for example, could be doubled, it would mean an increase in the’ world, demand of several hundred thousand tons. SOAP CONSUMPTION. The following is the national soap consumption (per head per annum in kilos): —United States, 11.5; Netherlands, 11.1; Denmark, 10.0; Great Britain, 9.0; Australia, 8.7; France, 8.0; Belgium, 7.0; Switzerland, 7.0; Canada, 6.8; Sweden, 6.6; Germany, 6.3; Norway, 5.4; Italy, 4.1; Spain, 4.0; Hungary, 2.7; Russia, 2.5; Poland, 2.0 or less; Yugoslavia, 2.0 or less; Rumania, 2.0 or less; Bulgaria, 2.0 or less. it has already been suggested that in some countries other substances than soap are used. This is definitely the case in Germany and one or two others, wliere either soap substitutes of various kinds are used or certain chemicals are added to soap for reasons of economy. In regard both to production and to consumption, -it is evident that only in a few of the leading countries of the world is it possible to obtain fairly reliable statistics, and in most cases only very rough approximations are available. It is necessary to bear this in mind. Total world production of soap in 1932 was estimated at 4,700,000 tons. ■ Of this 2,500,000 tons were made in Europe, 1,800,000 tons in the United States, 300,000 tons in Asia and Africa jointly, and 70,000 tons in Australia and New Zealand. Two-thirds of the total is made in the five chief producing countries—United States, Germany, Great Britain, France) and Russia. The largest increase in output is recorded by Russia, where the pre-war production has been increased threefold. HARD AND SOFT. Hard soap is by far the most important type made by the leading producers, but in other respects there is wide variety in the proportions of the different kinds made in different countries. For instance, soft soap forms 1 per cent, of the total output in Canada, 2 per cent, in Great Britain and the United States, and 4 per cent, in France, while in Germany it constitutes no less than 20 per cent, of the total; in Holland and the northern countries of Europe 50 per cent, to 70 per cent. Soap powder and flakes have largely taken the place of soft soap. in the United States and Great Britain, where they make up 24 per cent, and 21 per cent, respectively of the total; in Holland, 23 per cent. In Germany and France the hard soap class includes soap flakes and powders, and in the Russian figures soft soap is also included. . In certain countries, especially in Eastern Europe, soap-making is still a domestic occupation, and largo quantities of home-niade soap. or soap made m small workshops employing only one or two workers, are still used. These very small one-man- “ factories ” are also common in Germany. Statistics for these are obviously unavailable, so that it is quite probable that the per capita figures of soap consumption already given must be considerably increased if account be taken of home-made products. / In any case, the output or soap in the world shows no sign of declining; and, in view of the important market which soap manufacture offers to oils and fats nrodneers of many kinds in manv lands, the maintenance of the premium on cleanliness can definitely be counted an economic benefit.