Pears soap. Review on Pears Soap

Pears soap was made using a process entirely different from that for other soaps. A mixture of "tallow" and other fats was saponified by an alkali [a] in industrial methylated spirits. After saponification was completed, the resulting glycerol was left in the batch. Batches were made not in huge pans, but in small kettle-like vessels. As soon as the translucent amber liquid had cooled enough to solidify it was extruded into opaque oval bars that were cut into bath- or toilet-weight tablets ready for beginning their long spell in the drying rooms(ovens). The hot liquid soap fresh from the vessel had a total fatty matter(TFM) of 45% compared with the TFMs of 70–80% usual in soaps made by the conventional method. The TFM increased considerably as the alcohol content fell during drying.

The entire Pears plant was a small almost self-contained annexe at the rear of the administration block. The plant was run by a handful of staff who not only had experience of the specialised process, but had developed immunity to the effects of breathing the alcohol-laden atmosphere in the building.

The concave shape of the soap is formed by shrinkage while the soap is drying, and is not due to deliberate moulding.

Bars of soap produced in the factory come in two sizes: 75 g and 125 g.

Nowadays this soap comes in three colours: the classic amber, the green, and mint(blue color). Each variety has a unique aroma. The soap now comes in two new sizes: 69 g and 119 g.

Recent changes to quality of ingredients used in the manufacturing process(see "Changes to the Formula" below) have resulted in a noticeably different shape(flatter rather than concave) and difference in scent with the classic transparent amber bar. The aroma, which used to be a characteristically mild, spicy fragrance, is now a very strong scent. In the UK the same has been noticed since 2009 with a scent almost like coal tar and with a reduction in the moisturizing properties and in a differently shaped bar.