What was used before the invention of toilet paper?

Before toilet paper became a staple of personal hygiene that most of us can't imagine life without today, humanity had to rely on a much wider range of methods to maintain cleanliness. These practices varied significantly depending on culture, the availability of local resources, and technology. In this article, we will explore the diversity of these methods. Check out our toilet paper offer!

Ancient Times - From Sponges to Paper

Ancient civilizations were much more innovative when it came to personal hygiene than one might think. Let's take a closer look at the practices of three of them: ancient Rome, Greece, and China.

Ancient Romans: At the Forefront of Innovation

Known for their inventiveness in many fields, ancient Romans deserve recognition for their advanced methods of personal hygiene. They used a tool known as a tersorium - a special brush with a long handle, ending in a sponge. The sponge was dipped in water, often with the addition of vinegar, to enhance its cleaning and disinfecting properties. Romans were very practical - sponges were used multiple times and often shared among many people. Although it may seem unhygienic from today's perspective, it was one of the most advanced methods of personal hygiene in ancient times.

Ancient Greece: Natural Solutions

In ancient Greece, the approach to personal hygiene was slightly different. Greeks preferred natural materials, such as stones or pieces of clay. Stones were usually smooth to avoid irritation, and clay had an additional advantage - it absorbed moisture well. Some sources also suggest the use of animal shells, although this practice was not as common. It is clear that access to natural resources had a significant impact on personal hygiene practices.

Ancient China: Pioneers of Paper

Ancient Chinese were pioneers not only in the invention of paper, but also in its use for personal hygiene. The first written evidence of using paper for this purpose dates back to 589 AD. This means that the Chinese were using paper for personal hygiene hundreds of years before the appearance of toilet paper. However, before this, similar to other ancient civilizations, natural resources such as leaves, grass, and pieces of wood dominated daily hygiene practices.

Middle Ages - Use of Natural Resources

The Middle Ages, a period spanning from the 5th to the 15th century AD, was characterized by a significantly different approach to personal hygiene compared to ancient times. Although it did not abound in inventions as innovative as in the times of Rome, it offered its own unique solutions, mainly dictated by local resources.

Europe: Leaves, Moss, and Grass

Personal hygiene practices in medieval Europe were definitely less developed than in ancient times. With a lack of advanced tools and technology, people had to rely on the resources available to them. Natural, easily accessible materials dominated: leaves, moss, grass, and pieces of fabric.

Leaves were the simplest and most easily accessible solution in most regions, while moss, due to its absorbent properties, was a valuable resource where it was widely available. Pieces of fabric, although slightly more comfortable, were also much more expensive and harder to keep clean, so they were usually reserved for the wealthier classes of society.

Iceland: The Power of Peat Moss

Medieval Iceland presented one of the most interesting solutions in the field of personal hygiene. The main material used for cleaning was peat moss, which grows abundantly on Icelandic soil.

This moss has many properties that made it an ideal material for personal hygiene. Firstly, it is soft and absorbent, making it effective and gentle on the skin. Secondly, it is naturally antiseptic, which helped prevent infections. Additionally, its abundance in Iceland made it easily accessible to all residents, regardless of their social status.

These methods, although they may seem foreign and primitive to us, were effective and served their purpose in those times. Their diversity and innovation demonstrate the resourcefulness and adaptability of our ancestors in the face of the challenges of daily life.

Modern Times - Newspapers and Fabrics

With the development of civilization, there was also a significant acceleration in the field of personal hygiene. Modern times, the period from the 15th to the 19th century, brought new, more advanced and tailored solutions to the needs of society.

Old newspapers and sales catalogs: The first steps towards toilet paper

The transition from natural resources to toilet paper was a gradual process. In the 18th century, especially among the wealthier classes of society, old newspapers, books and other paper prints began to be used. Although from today's perspective this may seem somewhat unusual, it was an important stage in the evolution of personal hygiene.

In the United States, sales catalogs became popular. There are known cases where Sears Roebuck catalogs were used as toilet paper. Their popularity was due to the fact that they were widely available, soft and, most importantly, free. When the company changed the paper to a smoother one, which significantly reduced its absorbency, Sears received waves of complaints from dissatisfied customers, which shows how common this use of their catalogs was.

Fabrics: A luxurious solution

The wealthier layers of society, especially in Europe, often used fabrics, most commonly linen or cotton. Fabrics were much more comfortable to use, but maintaining them required significant investments - they were expensive to purchase, and cleaning them was difficult and time-consuming. Despite these challenges, for many people, the luxury and comfort offered by fabrics were worth the extra effort and costs.

Sanitary issue

Regardless of the medium used, most people simply disposed of used materials. As a result, cities struggled with serious sanitary problems. Not only did this pose a threat to public health, but it also affected the quality of life in urban areas.

The emergence of modern toilet paper

Modern toilet paper, as we know it today, has its origins in the 19th century. It was a time when centuries-old practices were replaced by an invention that became an integral part of our daily lives.

Beginnings: Gayetty's Medicated Paper

In 1857, American Joseph Gayetty introduced the first product resembling today's toilet paper. They were packages of moist paper sheets, called "Gayetty's Medicated Paper". Interestingly, each sheet was saturated with aloe, which had a soothing effect on the skin. However, this product was luxurious and aimed mainly at wealthier customers who could afford such expenses. Despite this, Gayetty's Medicated Paper marked a new chapter in the history of personal hygiene.

Revolution: Toilet Paper Roll

The real revolution in personal hygiene, however, came in 1890, thanks to two brothers - E. Irvin and Clarence Scott. They were the ones who introduced the first toilet paper rolls, a product known to us today. Initially, their idea was met with resistance from conservative parts of society, for whom talking about such matters publicly was unacceptable. Nevertheless, the idea turned out to be a hit and over time, toilet paper rolls gained popularity. Today, it is such a basic product that it is hard to imagine life without it.

Evolution of Personal Hygiene - Summary

History of personal hygiene, from leaves, stones, sponges, to modern toilet paper, is a fascinating overview of human adaptation and inventiveness. Over time, available technologies have changed, as well as social norms and expectations, which have led us to the standards we know and use today. Each of these changes was a response to specific needs and conditions, showing how far we have come in our daily hygiene practices.