Cleansing with Soap: Symbolism and Normalization

Soap is commonly used to cleanse filth and dirtiness, symbolizing the act of purifying and restoring things to their natural state of purity. The imagery associated with soap, like a half-dirty dinner plate becoming glistening white, reinforces the idea of eliminating evil and restoring cleanliness. This symbolism extends to everyday life, where soap's ability to kill bacteria is likened to performing a 'bacteria holocaust' to cleanse and purify things like kitchen tables, clothes, and cars. Although the concept of soap as a cleansing agent may seem like a religious ritual when described in detail, its normalization in everyday language helps us overlook the mythological aspects attached to it and accept soap as a mundane yet essential tool for cleanliness.