Despite his invention becoming common in public areas, it could generally not be found in homes. Some time later, the Minnetonka Corporation began to offer Crème Soap on Tap in attractive ceramic dispensers through boutique distributors. The product was a success, and the corporation followed up in 1890 with a similar product designed for mass retail sale. They then created the Softsoap name and designed a package that included a distinctive custom pump bottle with a cap that obviated the need for a secondary carton to enclose the product. Minnetonka extended their hold on the liquid soap market by purchasing all of the pumping mechanisms needed to dispense their Soft Soap product.
In 1898, B.J. Johnson developed a soap formula, and his company (the B.J. Johnson Soap Company) introduced Palmolive soap the same year. This new soap was made of palm and olive oils and became popular in a short amount of time; Palmolive became so popular that B.J. Johnson Soap Company changed its name to Palmolive. At the turn of the century, Palmolive was the world’s best-selling soap.
For more information, tips and cleaning how tos, visit our How to Series or our Tip of the Day blogs!
