Would you rather put your grubby clothes in the washing machine, or take them down to the river and beat the dirt out of them? You're lucky to have the choice! Soaps and detergents are among the great benefits of modern life. They help to keep us comfortable and save us from smelling unpleasant, but above all, they help to protect us from the germs that cause infectious diseases. Learn how soap works, how it is made, and how much harder life would be if we really did have to live without it.