Definition of washing powder

The term "washing powder" can be traced back to the late 19th century when laundry was still a laborious and time-consuming chore for many families. Before the invention of washing machines, people had to hand wash their clothes by beating and scrubbing them with soap or ashes in a washing trough or tub. In 1871, a chemist named Henry Mars based in London came up with a new product that would revolutionize the laundry process. This product was a mixture of sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium silicate (water glass), and perfumes. Mars dubbed this concoction "bar's soap" and began selling it as "washing soda crystals". However, the name was not entirely accurate, as this product was not a soap at all, but a detergent meant to soften water and remove dirt from clothes. To distinguish it from traditional soap, Mars decided to rebrand it as "washing powder". The term immediately caught on and was used by other manufacturers in the U.K. And eventually, around the world. Today, washing powder or laundry detergent contains more advanced cleaning agents like surfactants, enzymes, and bleaches to remove even the toughest stains. Nevertheless, the name "washing powder" remains a part of everyday language, reminding us of the pioneering efforts of scientists like Henry Mars who sought to make the chore of laundry a little less daunting.