Public hygiene in ancient Rome was a far cry from modern standards, and their solution for post-relief cleanliness was both ingenious and, by today’s standards, unsettling. In communal latrines, Romans used a device called the tersorium—a wooden stick with a sea sponge affixed to one end. This sponge was stored in a container of vinegar or saltwater, which was believed to disinfect it between uses. However, the tersorium was not a personal hygiene tool; it was shared among multiple users, making sanitation questionable even by ancient standards.
The function of the tersorium has been debated by historians. Some suggest that rather than being a direct wiping tool, it may have served as a rudimentary toilet brush to clean the latrine seats. This theory is supported by archaeological findings and Roman texts, such as Seneca the Younger’s writings, which mention a gladiator using a sponge on a stick in a tragic manner. Regardless of its exact use, the tersorium highlights the Romans’ pragmatic—if not particularly hygienic—approach to sanitation. Their public toilets, often lacking privacy, reflected a society where communal living extended even to the most personal aspects of daily life.
Medieval Straw, Hay, and Moss—Nature’s Toilet Paper
Long before the advent of modern toilet paper, medieval societies relied on the natural world for personal hygiene. Straw, hay, and moss were among the most commonly used materials, each offering distinct advantages and drawbacks. In rural Europe, where agriculture dominated daily life, straw and hay were readily available and often repurposed for hygiene. However, their rough texture made them less than ideal for comfort, and prolonged use could lead to irritation.
Moss, on the other hand, provided a softer and more absorbent alternative. Found in damp forests and shaded areas, it was particularly favored in colder regions where its natural moisture retention made it both effective and biodegradable. Some medieval communities even cultivated moss near latrines to ensure a steady supply. Unlike straw and hay, moss had a natural antibacterial property, reducing the risk of infection—a crucial advantage in an era with limited medical knowledge.
These organic materials highlight the ingenuity of medieval populations in addressing hygiene needs with the resources at hand. While they may seem primitive by today’s standards, they were sustainable, biodegradable, and widely accessible, reflecting a time when necessity dictated innovation in even the most personal aspects of life.
The Use of Seashells and Coconut Husks in Coastal Regions
In coastal regions, where lush vegetation and marine life were abundant, people turned to nature’s bounty for personal hygiene. Seashells, particularly smooth or slightly concave varieties, offered a rigid yet practical tool for cleaning. They were commonly used in regions where sandy beaches provided an endless supply of these natural implements. Some cultures, particularly those in the Pacific Islands and coastal Asia, likely selected shells with smoother edges to minimize discomfort. While this method may seem rudimentary by modern standards, it was an efficient and accessible solution in environments where soft plant fibers were scarce.
Coconut husks provided another ingenious alternative. In tropical regions like Polynesia and Southeast Asia, where coconuts grew in abundance, the fibrous husk was repurposed for multiple uses—including hygiene. The softer inner fibers of the husk, once stripped from the hard outer shell, provided a relatively gentle yet durable wiping material. These husks were not only biodegradable but also effective in absorbing moisture, making them a practical choice. This resourceful approach highlights how early societies adapted to their environments, using whatever materials were readily available to maintain personal cleanliness long before the advent of modern toilet paper.
Corn Cobs—An Unusual Solution in Early America
Before the mass production of toilet paper, early American settlers had to get creative with their hygiene solutions. One of the most surprising methods? Corn cobs—a resourceful, if unconventional, alternative that was widely used, particularly in rural farming communities. Given that corn was a staple crop, the leftover cobs were abundant, free, and surprisingly effective. Once dried, they had a texture that was both firm and slightly abrasive, which made them useful for cleaning purposes. Families often kept a basket of dried corn cobs in their outhouses, ensuring easy access whenever nature called.
However, the communal use of corn cobs posed significant hygiene concerns. In many households, a single cob might be shared among family members, a practice that modern sensibilities would find unsettling. Despite this, corn cobs remained in use well into the 19th century, even after the introduction of commercial toilet paper in 1857 by Joseph Gayetty. Many rural Americans continued using them simply because they were free and readily available. It wasn’t until the early 20th century, when mass-produced toilet paper became more affordable, that corn cobs were finally replaced by more sanitary options. This practice highlights the ingenuity and adaptability of early Americans, who made the most of the resources at hand.
The Wealthy Preferred Wool, Lace, or Soft Cloth
For the wealthy throughout history, personal hygiene was as much about comfort as it was about practicality. Unlike the common folk, who relied on rougher materials like hay, moss, or even corncobs, the upper classes had access to more refined options—namely, wool, lace, and soft cloth. These materials, prized for their gentleness and absorbency, were a luxury reserved for those who could afford such extravagance.
In Renaissance Europe, nobles and aristocrats often used fine linens or strips of soft fabric for cleansing, emphasizing both hygiene and social status. The French elite, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries, took this a step further, reportedly favoring delicate lace for personal care—an indulgence that reflected their wealth and refinement. Meanwhile, Chinese emperors of the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) were known to use large sheets of soft fabric, a precursor to the mass-produced toilet paper that would later emerge in 14th-century China (National Geographic).
The preference for soft cloth highlights the stark divide between social classes in matters of hygiene. While the wealthy could afford comfort, the less fortunate had to make do with whatever was available—whether it was old rags, newsprint, or even pages from books. This disparity in personal hygiene materials underscores how even the most basic human needs were historically shaped by wealth and privilege.
Newspapers and Old Books—A Popular Choice Before Modern TP
Before toilet paper became a household staple, people turned to what they had readily available—printed materials. Newspapers, magazines, and even pages from old books were commonly repurposed for personal hygiene, especially in rural areas where commercial toilet paper was either unavailable or considered a luxury. The rise of the printing press in the 15th century made paper more accessible, and by the 19th and early 20th centuries, repurposing printed pages became a widespread practice in many households.
One of the most iconic examples was the Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog, which was not only a shopping guide but also a practical hygiene solution. Designed with durability in mind, its pages were soft enough for wiping and conveniently came with a hole in the top corner, making it easy to hang in outhouses. Another popular choice was the Farmer’s Almanac, which eventually began pre-drilling holes in its editions to cater to this secondary use. Magazines and newspapers, such as the daily press, were also commonly used, though the ink could sometimes leave stains—an unfortunate but accepted inconvenience.
The transition to modern toilet paper began in 1857 when Joseph Gayetty introduced the first commercially marketed toilet paper in the United States, known as “Gayetty’s Medicated Paper.” However, it wasn’t until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that toilet paper rolls became widely available, thanks to the innovations of the Scott Paper Company. Even then, many families continued using newspapers well into the 1930s and beyond, particularly during times of economic hardship. The Great Depression, for example, saw a resurgence in the use of printed materials as people sought to cut costs.
This practice highlights the ingenuity and adaptability of past generations. Faced with the necessity of hygiene, people found practical solutions in everyday items, demonstrating how resourcefulness often shapes daily life. Today, while printed materials are no longer a common alternative, their historical use remains a fascinating glimpse into how personal hygiene has evolved over time.
How Different Cultures Found Creative Hygiene Alternatives
Throughout history, the materials and methods humans have used for personal hygiene have varied widely based on geography, climate, and available resources. Before the advent of modern toilet paper, different cultures developed unique and sometimes surprising solutions to maintain cleanliness. From reusable tools to organic materials, these practices reflect human adaptability and ingenuity.
In ancient Greece, people commonly used small stones or ceramic shards known as pessoi, which were sometimes inscribed with the names of disliked individuals—a practice that added a touch of political commentary to personal hygiene. The Romans, on the other hand, employed a communal sponge on a stick called a tersorium, which was stored in saltwater or vinegar between uses. While effective, this practice raises obvious concerns about sanitation by modern standards.
In Asia, early hygiene solutions included wooden sticks wrapped in cloth, a precursor to toilet paper. China is credited with the first recorded use of actual paper for hygiene in the 6th century, though large-scale production for this purpose didn’t begin until the 14th century. Meanwhile, in coastal regions, seashells and coconut husks were commonly used due to their abundance and durability.
Medieval Europeans turned to natural materials such as hay, straw, and moss, which were readily available and disposable. In early America, corncobs were a popular choice before newspapers and catalogs, like the Sears Roebuck catalog, became widely used. Even the wealthy had their own preferences, opting for soft wool, lace, or fine fabric.
These diverse solutions reveal how human cultures have continuously innovated to address basic hygienic needs. While modern toilet paper is now the standard in many parts of the world, alternative methods—such as bidets and reusable cloth wipes—continue to evolve, reflecting the same adaptability that has shaped hygiene practices for centuries.
