There are many life-saving inventions throughout history, but one of the most effective lifesavers is something as unexpected as soap. Among other things, the mass production of soap has reduced infant and maternal mortality, and many, many other infections have also been avoided thanks to better hygiene.
During the wars of the 19th century, it is believed that more people died from infections than from weapons, and when the world-famous Florence Nightingale arrived at the Selimiye Barracks field hospital during the Crimean War, it was clean water and strict hygiene routines that became Nightingale's first and perhaps most important measures.
Såpa is a type of soap, while soap is used to wash the body, såpa is used to clean and tidy.
To make real hard soap, you use sodium hydroxide, while potassium hydroxide gives a softer soap = såpa. Real liquid soap has an ingredient list with INCI names such as Potassium olivate (saponified olive oil) Potassium-xxx, etc. This means that the soap's content is fatty acid salts saponified with potassium hydroxide (potassium hydroxide) and an oil. Potassium hydroxide creates soft soap crystals. Real såpa like linseed oil såpa, Västerbottenssåpa is a real liquid soap/såpa = fatty acid salts from potassium hydroxide. It is only in the Nordic countries that we have our own word for Såpa, in other countries it is called e.g. Cleaning Soap and liquid soap, so there is no linguistic distinction between såpa and soap.
We received the latest real reminder of the importance of hygiene during the Corona pandemic when we received daily information via the media about the importance of washing hands and using soap and water.
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1. Why has soap been considered a life-saving invention throughout history?
Soap has been crucial in improving hygiene and reducing the risk of infections, which has helped to save lives, especially among infants and mothers.
2. How does the manufacturing process of soap and såpa differ?
Real hard soap is made with sodium hydroxide, while real liquid såpa is made with potassium hydroxide for a softer consistency.
3. How has soap contributed to reducing infant and maternal mortality throughout history?
Soap has contributed to improved hygiene, which has reduced the risk of infections and thus infant and maternal mortality.