Comparing Soap and Shampoo: Understanding the Differences

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The discussion centers on the minimal differences between soap and shampoo, emphasizing that both serve the primary purpose of cleaning. Participants advocate for using unscented liquid soap, particularly a brand marketed to hunters, as an economical and effective alternative to specialized products. The conversation critiques the commercial motivations behind purchasing multiple cleaning products, suggesting that traditional methods of cleaning, like using water from natural sources, were sufficient for our ancestors. It is noted that while shampoos often contain additional ingredients for aesthetics, basic soap can effectively clean hair and other surfaces. The discussion also touches on the irony of modern conveniences, like refrigerators, contrasting them with the simplicity of ancestral practices. Overall, the sentiment leans towards simplifying personal care routines by relying on basic soap rather than a variety of specialized products.
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What's the difference between the two?
 
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Very little. I prefer to use unscented liquid soap made for hunters, distributed by Hunters Specialties. It is VERY sudsy and economical.
 
I had a sneaky suspicion that it's all commercial to buy both soap and shampoo and spend our money by those companies.
 
loop quantum gravity said:
I had a sneaky suspicion that it's all commercial to buy both soap and shampoo and spend our money by those companies.
If you can get that unscented liquid soap, use it top-down and be happy. There is no reason to buy all sorts of specialized stuff to use in the shower. Think of it - when our ancestors jumped into the local pond or river to clean up, did they have plastic squeeze-bottles of chemical goo? Liquid soaps (detergents/surfactants) certainly speed up the cleaning-time, but they are not absolutely necessary.
 
Very simply soap is a salt of a fatty acid. Detergents or surfactants which are not salts of fatty acids are not soaps.
 
It depends on the shampoo. Something like pantene has a bunch of ingredients to make it more shiny or 'bouncy' or smell like fruit or whatever. Soap will work perfectly fine for simply being clean.
 
Last edited:
turbo-1 said:
Think of it - when our ancestors jumped into the local pond or river to clean up, did they have plastic squeeze-bottles of chemical goo?
Our ancestors didn't use refrigerators either, but I don't think I've seen you argue that we shouldn't refrigerate food. :-p
 
Hurkyl said:
Our ancestors didn't use refrigerators either, but I don't think I've seen you argue that we shouldn't refrigerate food. :-p
You wouldn't insist on buying a beer fridge separate from the milk fridge,
but my wife seems to think you need separate shower cleaner and bath cleaner.
 

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