As a result of our obsession with cleanliness, we have developed an amazing variety of soaps, some of which came to mind as I was writing the previous entry and which researched elsewhere on the net ("Soap History"):

Cleansers

Cleansers are often made with mild abrasives and they are formulated to eliminate heavy oil or solid particles and hard-to-remove stains. The cleansers come in many different types depending on the type of abrasives they contain.
Detergents

Dish detergents are made to remove tough grease and release the solid dirt particles in the foam that is produced by the detergent. There are two types of dish detergents: machine dishwasher detergents and hand dishwashing detergents.

Laundry soaps

Laundry soaps are formulated to eliminate grease, solid particles and organic compounds from clothes. They can be found in liquid, powder and gel forms.

Cleaning soaps

Cleaning soaps have different formulations to clean grease and soil. The difference between cleansers and cleaning soaps is that cleaning soaps don't contain harsh abrasives.

Personal soaps

This kind of soap is made in many forms and special formulations for specific personal hygiene needs. One type of the personal soap is the antibacterial soap that is made to prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading. There are also body and hair soaps that have a mix of ingredients that cleans both the skin and hair.

Novelty soaps

Novelty soaps are especially manufactured for children and include soaps in the shapes of various items, such as a rubber ducky or soap-on-the-rope. These are made not only to clean dirt and grime, but for amusement and enjoyment as well.

Perfumed soaps

Perfumed soaps are produced by adding a few additional ingredients and perfume.

Beauty soaps

Beauty soaps are produced to feature attractive fragrances, and ingredients for a variety of skin types. They can feature glycerin, or special oil blends.

Medicated soaps

Medicated soaps and original soap are very similar. Unlike original soap, medicated soap has the addition of antiseptics and disinfectants.

Glycerin soaps

Glycerin is a normally produced during the process of soap production. Soaps which include glycerin in them tend to make your skin feel moister.

Transparent soap

Transparent soap uses slightly different ingredients and usually some form of alcohol to alter the process which is also conducted at higher temperatures. Not all transparent soaps are glycerin soaps.

Liquid soaps

Liquid soaps are actually very difficult to produce and many of the commercial liquid soaps are just in fact detergents.

Most of my friends' homes have two or more types of hand soap displayed on the kitchen sink and yet more in the bathroom, both bar soap and dispense of liquid soap. And who knows what other kinds in the cabinets and under the sink.

There may not be a run on soap, but there is certainly plenty to go around and then some. My guess is that soap (or detergent) is ubiquitous in American homes.

"Aren't you glad you use Dial? Don't you wish everybody did?"