SOME SOAP FACTS

Soap, the Beginning

Tugs offers a quality range of pure natural soaps from the Provence region of France as well as handmade luxury Olive Oil soaps made in the UK. Please click an image or use the product menu on the right.

It appears that the Babylonians were making soap around 2800BC and that it was known to the Phoenicians around 600BC.

However, actual proof of soap making has only been found in the history of ancient Rome. The ruins of Pompeii revealed a soap factory complete with finished bars.
Unfortunately, while the Romans are well known for their public baths, generally soap was not used for personal cleaning. Soap for personal washing only became popular during the latter centuries of the Roman era.

According to ancient Roman legend, soap got its name from Mount Sapo where animals were sacrificed. Rainwater washed down the mountain through the mixture of melted tallow, wood ash and clay soil. Women doing their washing noticed clothes coming cleaner and with much less effort.

Soap Development

These days most commercial soaps contain primarily animal fats.

During WW1, vegetable oils were hard to find so there had to be another way to make soaps. Synthetic detergents were born and revolutionized the soap-making industry – not necessarily for the better, but a cheaper way to produce soap.

Currently, only a small percentage of the industry uses age-old methods for making soap.

As handcrafted soap makers have come to know, pure vegetable oils make a superior bar of soap that is emollient, skin friendly and luxurious!

Baby skin is especially benefited by gentle handmade soap.

Soap - Today

To view or purchase any of our soap gifts please click below.

marseilles soaps, provencal clay soaps, provencal artisan soaps, french soap gift packs, olive oil soap,

"A friend is a gift you give yourself." - R L Stevenson