I'm not a fan of using pure soap flakes on front loaders. I did it once, with Lever's "Lux". The flakes stuck to the dispenser drawer, and the wash suds were rather persistent during the rinses (that was in the Hoover Electronic 1100, back in the Eighties).
I can only think that Unilever has jettisoned "Lux" as a brand (along with a miriad of others). God only knows why! Such a waste! I loved the smell of the bars of Toilet Soap. Such luxury! And the name said it all.
All we get these days is "Dove", but I don't like the texture of that.
Lever's "Knight's Castile" is now not a Unilever product, but made for 'FMCG' (Fast Moving Consumer Goods). And it seems cheap and nasty - not what it was.
I came across a vintage advert for J Bibby & Sons' "Cidal" toilet soap. "Cidal" is now owned by Lornamead (Vosene shampoo). On sale in 'Home Bargains'.
It should be noted that modern "Cidal" does NOT have the somewhat dangerous Hexachlorophene germicidal ingredient!
Growing up almost every home with teenagers had those green bottles of pHisoHex. That and Noxzema, which together have scents that are imprinted on one's mind. *LOL*
Soap flakes in the wash:
Chip and flaked soap should nearly always be dissolved in hot or boiling water before going into the wash. That or for top loading machines and or tub washing you fill part way with hot or boiling water, add the flaked or chip soap, agitate until dissolved, then carry on.
Granulated soap and or very, very thin flakes supposedly dissolved faster than other methods. But have never been really sure, so usually pre-dissolve first.
Have a stash of vintage Lifebuoy (carbolic) soap, and one use was enough. Not only did the stuff dry one's skin something shocking, didn't half fancy smelling like a bottle of Lysol disinfectant after bathing. *LOL*
Of course both Lysol and carbolic soap contain same active ingredient, phenols; which we know now aren't great for one's health.
Ha ha! You'd have been germ free area. I actually read that not long after the USA banned general use of Hexachlorophene, there was an epidemic of staphylococcus type infections.
Speaking of Dove soap, I came across this:
"The most famous and in fact first 'syndet' (synthetic detergent) soap bar was Dove® - launched in 1955."
Soap vs Syndet. We've been making soap since 1856, it's what we do. We get asked questions all the time, what is soap, what's in a soap bar, is Vegetable Soap bad? What is a Syndet bar, what's a...
It does take a few minutes to access the site, but the pdf is also available with a direct link (just Google "evolution of concentration in the soap..." etc
Free to download, and free to redistribute and/or copy - provided sources are cited.
Statistics are given in tables, etc.
Chapter 4 gives a history of the UK market from before the First World War and after.
Chapter 5 deals with the rise of the synthetic detergents, enzymatic powders, and low-foaming versions. Mentions virtually all the brands! Liquids too, but they've lumped (in the tables) hand-dishwashing liquids ("SqEzy") together with woollens detergent ("Stergene").
Here you can find any publication published by the European Institutions, agencies and bodies. You can download it to the language you want, preview in the browser or order a copy for free.