In Victorian times (1837–1901), before modern toilet paper became widely available in the late 19th century, people primarily used newspapers, catalogs, leaves, moss, or rags. Richer individuals used cloths or wool, while the poor used whatever was available; in 1857, Joseph Gayetty introduced early medicated, aloe-soaked paper, which was initially too expensive for many.
Before the availability of mass produced toilet paper in the mid-1800s, humans had to resort to using what was free and available, even if it didn't provide the most effective (or comfortable) results. Options included rocks, leaves, grass, moss, animal fur, corn cobs, coconut husks, sticks, sand, and sea shells.
During the Victorian Era in 19th century, health and sanitary conditions were not so great. Viruses and bacteria were quickly spread throughout London, such as Tuberculosis, Smallpox, Measles, Scarlet fever, Cholera, etc.
How did the Victorians solve their human poo problem?
Sir Joseph Bazalgette's scheme
He and his team constructed a series of interconnecting sewers which carried the effluent eastwards and out to the Thames Estuary. Once away from the main centres of population, it would be dispatched on the outgoing tide.
That maybe where the name Ships Head originated. Instead of Toilet Paper there was a long, poo-smeared rope that snaked through the hole in the Seats of Ease. The frayed end of the rope dangled in the sea and could be hauled up and used to wipe oneself clean.
Top 5 Disgusting Hygiene Practices of Queen Elizabeth I
Do some cultures not wipe after pooping?
Cultural Differences in Toilet Paper Usage
In Asia, bidets are a popular alternative to toilet paper. In the Middle East, water is used for personal hygiene after using the toilet. In Africa, the usage of toilet paper is not as common and many people resort to alternatives such as wiping with water or cloths.
Where did the smell come from? In the 1850s, waste of all types ended up in the River Thames. There was human poo and wee, dead animals, thrown-away food, industrial waste from riverside factories, and the bodies of anyone who drowned. In the streets, manure piled up from the horse-drawn carriages.
In order for a husband to escape the costliness of future dental procedures, their wife would have ALL her teeth pulled out and replaced with dentures. Even if a bride had a perfectly healthy smile, her teeth would still be extracted.
So how did they deal with periods in the 1800s? In this era, menstrual belts became a thing. These cloth belts could be fastened to the underwear — like a modern-day pad — and the absorbent fabric would help catch much of the blood. The use of such devices wasn't shared by everyone, however.
Famously boasting that she only took one bath per month, Queen Elizabeth I was not exactly the model of good hygiene that her father had been. In fact, not only was Elizabeth adverse to bathing, but also, it appears, dental hygiene.
Overall, the medieval age was a pretty gross time to be alive, at least when it came to personal cleanliness and public health. It's amazing how far we've come since then in terms of improving hygiene and sanitation.
Vikings (and really, anyone living outdoors before mass-produced paper) would have used whatever soft, absorbent natural material was around—moss, leaves, grass, snow, even smooth stones.
The 2-2-2 rule in dentistry is a simple guideline for good oral hygiene: brush twice a day, for two minutes each time, and see your dentist twice a year (every six months) for checkups. This easy-to-remember routine helps prevent cavities and gum disease by consistently removing plaque, ensuring early detection of issues, and maintaining overall dental health.
The Queen mother grew up in an era where dentistry consisted of mostly extractions to solve a problem, and although she had better dentistry options later in life, she opted not to have them. Queen Elizabeth, however, being 94 years old, still has all of her teeth and boasts a brilliant Queen's Royal smile.
But how do Americans have such white teeth? The answer is not just one secret. It comes from a mix of habits and treatments that include good oral hygiene, preventive dental care, cosmetic dental treatments, and the use of whitening products.
The "old lady smell," or "old people smell," is scientifically known as nonenal odor, caused by a chemical compound called 2-nonenal, which forms as the skin ages, creating a distinct greasy, grassy, or musty scent due to the breakdown of fatty acids and declining antioxidants, not poor hygiene.
In the Age of Sail, the decks would be scrubbed with sea water, sand, and a flat 'holystone' (because, when you are holystoning the the deck on your hands and knees, it looks sort of like you're praying).
