Why don't bars of soap in the supermarket use the word soap anywhere on the container?
March 11, 2011 5:21 PM Subscribe
Why don't bars of soap in the supermarket use the word soap anywhere on the container?
I went to the supermarket recently and was surprised to notice that none of the bars of soap that they were selling ever used the word "soap" anywhere on the box. Does anyone know why?
My guess is that America has laws specifying what ingredients actually need to be present for something to be called "soap." Can anyone confirm or deny this theory?
I went to the supermarket recently and was surprised to notice that none of the bars of soap that they were selling ever used the word "soap" anywhere on the box. Does anyone know why?
My guess is that America has laws specifying what ingredients actually need to be present for something to be called "soap." Can anyone confirm or deny this theory?
yeah, detergents tend not to leave surface stains in hard water and are generally cheaper to make.
posted by GuyZero at 5:29 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by GuyZero at 5:29 PM on March 11, 2011
Best answer: This covers the FDA vs Consumer Product Safety Commission regulation of soap / detergents / "deodorant" soap.
posted by sharkfu at 5:30 PM on March 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by sharkfu at 5:30 PM on March 11, 2011 [3 favorites]
Dove also made soap sound evil years ago with a campaign about how soap is gross and Dove is a clean, moisturizing cream in bar form. I can't find the US version of the ad, but here's the UK version.
posted by birdherder at 5:33 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by birdherder at 5:33 PM on March 11, 2011
Not to sound smug, but I just checked the label on a bar of Dr. Bronner's bar soap and it does indeed say "soap." You just have to look for the right soap! (And it's totally worth it.)
posted by ErikaB at 6:08 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by ErikaB at 6:08 PM on March 11, 2011
I really like this old fashioned Pears stuff that is described as 'Transparent Soap' on the box. I had just noticed the other day that, curiously, it's made by Unilever in India (from glycerine, among other mysterious ingredients).
But the Lever 2000 I also have in the bathroom is merely a 'Refreshing Bar'.
And, a Dove ad just came on the TV as I wrote these words, indeed boasting that 'Dove is not soap.'
posted by Flashman at 7:08 PM on March 11, 2011
But the Lever 2000 I also have in the bathroom is merely a 'Refreshing Bar'.
And, a Dove ad just came on the TV as I wrote these words, indeed boasting that 'Dove is not soap.'
posted by Flashman at 7:08 PM on March 11, 2011
Yep, true soap is pretty uncommon. Seconding the Dr. Bronner's recommendation, but I prefer the 16 oz. bottle, as reading the crazy helps pass the time in the shower.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 7:22 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 7:22 PM on March 11, 2011
@Flashman
Perhaps a little meta, but don't be scared off by products that have glycerine. It is used as a lubricant and frequently found in shaving creams, etc. Pretty harmless when used in that fashion.
posted by Elminster24 at 7:25 PM on March 11, 2011
Perhaps a little meta, but don't be scared off by products that have glycerine. It is used as a lubricant and frequently found in shaving creams, etc. Pretty harmless when used in that fashion.
posted by Elminster24 at 7:25 PM on March 11, 2011
Kirk's Castile Soap is another soap that says "soap" - it's made with coconut oil.
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:27 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:27 PM on March 11, 2011
glycerin = saponofied fat = soap
No glycerin, no soap.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:43 PM on March 11, 2011
No glycerin, no soap.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:43 PM on March 11, 2011
(And I remember in the '80s, commercials for "Zest" claimed, "Soap leaves a sticky film that won't rinse away!")
posted by Sys Rq at 11:00 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by Sys Rq at 11:00 PM on March 11, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
"Soap" is animal fat (or sometimes vegetable oil) treated with lye or potash. Most of the products you're used to buying are "detergent", which is made from petroleum.
"Ivory" does say "Soap" on it, because it really is.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:27 PM on March 11, 2011 [13 favorites]