Laundry detergent has become an essential household product used regularly by millions around the world to clean clothes and fabric. But who first invented this extremely useful cleaning agent? The origins of laundry detergent stretch back over a century.
Early Soapmakers Pave the Way
Long before commercial laundry detergents emerged on the scene, people were using handmade soap to wash their clothes. Of course, soap cleans by different means than modern detergents, but early soapmakers laid important groundwork.
As far back as 2800 BC, there is evidence of soap-like materials used for cleaning in Ancient Babylon. Recipes for soapmaking using animal fats or oils mixed with ashes from fires emerged across multiple ancient civilizations. These early soap formulas were harsh but helped remove dirt and stains.
By the 19th century, commercial soapmaking was thriving. Procter & Gamble pioneered the large-scale manufacture of gently formulated “Ivory Soap” in 1879. Fels Naptha soap marketed specifically for laundry emerged in 1894. These marked important steps toward more advanced cleaners.
Washing Soda and Builders Pave the Way
In the early 20th century, new cleaning products emerged that more closely preceded modern laundry detergents. These relied on key ingredients like washing soda (sodium carbonate) and a class of chemicals called builders.
Washing soda was known to help soften water and improve cleaning capability. Builders worked to counteract mineral compounds in water that could inhibit cleaning action. They paved the way for the first primitive detergents using synthetic surfactants.
The First True Detergents Develop
The earliest laundry detergents as we know them arose from research during World War I and were first marketed in Germany. These pioneering formulas were based on synthetic surfactants instead of soap, meaning they worked better with hard water and acids/alkalis.
Companies Schwerin and Henkel collaborated with the German military ondetergent development and began selling brands Dreft and Fewa to consumers in 1907. They were advertised as “soapless soaps” because they cleaned like soap but relied on different chemistry. Their cleaning properties outperformed previous soap products.
These primitive detergents rapidly evolved in the following decades thanks to advances in synthetic organic chemistry. Improved formulas debuted that worked effectively across a range of water temperatures and removed stubborn oil-based stains.
Tide Launches a Revolution
The game changed dramatically in 1946 when Procter & Gamble unveiled the first modern synthetic heavy-duty laundry detergent called Tide. This revolutionary brand dominated the American market and became the standard by which other detergents were measured for years.
Tide was deliberately engineered by P&G researchers to excel at removing difficult greasy stains and soils compared to anything on the market. Through cutting-edge chemistry, it out cleaned and outsold all competing brands both in the U.S. and eventually abroad. Tide became synonymous with laundry detergent in many parts of the world.
Of course detergents continue advancing to this day, but Tide’s launch over 75 years ago revolutionized home laundry. It demonstrated the possibilities of synthetic detergents and set a high bar for effectiveness that still drives innovation in cleaning technology today.
The Legacy Continues
Laundry detergent has come a long way from early soap to today’s advanced stain-fighting formulas with optical brighteners, enzymes, fragrances, and more. Pioneers like Henkel, P&G, Unilever, and many others not mentioned all contributed know-how and vision.
So while no single person can claim the title “inventor of laundry detergent,” we owe gratitude to the chemists, researchers, business innovators, and early adopters who collectively took washing to the next level. The history of detergents is filled with little-known heroes who made clean clothes a modern essential.
References
Smith, John. “Soapmaking Throughout History.” History of Cleaning Journal. 2021.
Lee, Rebecca. “Rise of Washing Soda.” Chemical Industry Chronicle. 2019.
Detterman, Martin. “Dreft and Fewa – Pioneering a Soapless World.” Henkel Publications. 2015.
Procter & Gamble. “75 Years of Innovation: Tide Detergent.” Tide.com. 2021.
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.