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The earliest laundry was probably cleaned by immersing cloth in streams and rivers, agitating the material on rocks to help remove the dirt and allowing the water to carry away the stains and smells. Later, vats or cauldrons were heated over a fire, as boiling water proved more effective in removing dirt. Chemicals from natural substances were eventually added to the water, such as soaproot or yucca root. Soaps made from lye and fat were later used as laundry aids. The Industrial Revolution has since completely transformed laundry technology. Today, laundry is washed in modern washing machines using liquid or powdered laundry detergent instead of soap.
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