Profile America

Profile America: Soap Cleaning Power

October 10, 2017 5:51 AM·
Dreft detergent first came on the market on October 10, 1933. Photo credit: Dreft

Dreft detergent first came on the market on October 10, 1933. Photo credit: Dreft

Tuesday, October 10 — Something that we all take for granted made its appearance on this date in 1933, when the first household detergent — named Dreft, and still in production — went on sale. The chemistry of making soap had changed little over hundreds of years, until shortages of fats for making soap during World War I stimulated research.

Detergents really took off following World War II, and by 1953, their sales had passed those of traditional soaps. Now, detergents have all but replaced soap-based products for laundry, dishwashing and household cleaning, and most soaps for personal hygiene contain some detergents. Nationally, some 633 manufacturers produce nearly $25 billion worth of detergents and soaps each year.

You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online here.

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Author: Michael Benjamin is a public affairs consultant and an editorial board member at The New York Post. He is a former contributing columnist to the NY Post, City and State NY and other publications. He is a former Member of the New York State Assembly (2003-2010) and once led the Bronx Board of Elections. Since leaving office, he has appeared as a commentator on TWC NY1, Bronxnet OPEN, Good Day NY, and Al Jazeera America. His columns and blog focus on corruption, government, education, politics, redistricting, nuclear energy and race. He holds a B.A. in political science from Syracuse University.