OXYDOL
PROCTER & GAMBLE’S
FIRST DETERGENT
Oxydol was created in 1914 by Thomas Hedley of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England. Oxydol was created to make wash day easier and more effective, it was formulated as a concentrated powder designed to create suds and make clothes brighter. It was brought to America in 1927 when Procter & Gamble bought the brand and it became their first detergent.
THE BRAND BEHIND THE
“SOAP OPERA”
Shortly after, P&G sponsored Ma Perkins, a daytime radio drama in 1933. This sponsorship coined the term “soap opera” because the program was produced by a laundry soap brand. As washing machines became more common in households, consumers began switching to newer laundry products that worked better in automatic machines. Oxydol remained a top selling product for P&G until they released Tide and sales began to decline rapidly.
