Have you ever wondered what did people use before toilet paper? It's a simple question with a fascinating and complex answer. Before the soft, perforated roll became a household staple, humanity relied on incredible resourcefulness to handle bathroom hygiene. From ancient China’s cloth-wrapped “poop sticks” to the Roman communal sponge on a stick and the humble American corn cob, hygiene solutions have always reflected local materials, culture, and invention.
This article explores the surprising global history of toilet paper substitutes, drawing on real archaeological evidence and historical records. We will uncover how people around the world managed cleanliness long before commercially produced toilet paper ever existed.
Key Takeaways: The World’s Toilet Paper Alternatives at a Glance
For those looking for a quick summary, here is a look at the most common materials people used to wipe throughout history.
- Ancient China: The earliest direct evidence points to cloth-wrapped bamboo hygiene sticks found in a Silk Road latrine dating to 111–109 BCE.
- 6th Century China: The first written records of paper being used for wiping emerge.
- Ancient Rome: A communal sponge on a stick, called a tersorium, was rinsed in a bucket of salt water or vinegar and shared by patrons.
- Ancient Greece: People used smooth stones (pessoi) and rounded pieces of broken pottery (ostraka).
- Medieval Europe: Materials varied by class. The wealthy used soft cloth rags, while commonfolk used moss, leaves, hay, or straw.
- Middle East & South Asia: For centuries, water and the left hand have been the primary method for cleansing, a practice that remains common today.
- 19th-Century North America: Corn cobs were a go-to tool, later replaced by newspapers and mail-order catalogs like the Sears Roebuck catalog.
- Environmental Factors: The choice of wiping material was almost always determined by what was available, affordable, and effective in a specific region and climate.
How People Cleaned Themselves Before Toilet Paper
"The story of life before toilet paper is a story of human adaptation. How did people wipe before toilet paper? Depending on the era, location, and social status, the methods for personal hygiene were incredibly diverse. Let’s explore several main categories of solutions: water, tools, natural materials, agricultural byproducts and household materials
Water-Based Cleansing Across the Ancient and Modern World
For a large portion of the world’s population, the answer to "what did people use before toilet paper?" is simple: they used water. This method has been predominant for centuries in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia and is still the standard for billions of people today.
The technique typically involves using water poured from a vessel (like a lota pot or a cup) and the left hand to wash the area. The hand is then thoroughly washed with soap. This practice is deeply embedded in cultural and religious traditions, particularly in Islam, where purity laws (tahara) prescribe washing with water after using the toilet.
Before the invention of modern soap, people used ash, clay, or sand as cleaning agents. The development of the bidet in 17th-century France was a mechanical evolution of this water-based cleansing, providing a dedicated fixture for the task. Many cultures consider washing with water to be far more hygienic than simply wiping with dry paper.
The evolution of water-based cleansing methods has led to the development of smart toilets. These advanced toilets offer features like integrated bidets, adjustable water pressure, and self-cleaning functions, making them a convenient and eco-friendly choice for today’s hygiene needs.
Tools and Implements
In many societies, people created specific tools to aid in cleaning. These implements ranged from simple sticks to more elaborate, reusable devices.
Ancient China: The "Poop Stick"
The oldest physical evidence we have for a toilet hygiene tool comes from a 2,000-year-old latrine at Xuanquanzhi, a stop on the ancient Silk Road. Archaeologists discovered dozens of wooden and bamboo spatulas, known as cèchóu or “hygiene sticks,” wrapped in a small piece of cloth.
Analysis of these tools revealed microscopic traces of human fecal matter containing parasite eggs. This remarkable find, dated to around 111–109 BCE, proves that people were making and using the toilet with purpose-built wiping implements long ago. These "poop sticks" were a practical and reusable solution for personal sanitation.
Roman Tersorium (Sponge on a Stick)
The Ancient Romans are famous for their advanced aqueducts and public bathhouses. In their communal latrines, they employed a unique tool called a tersorium. This was a sea sponge attached to the end of a stick. After use, the Roman would rinse the sponge in a trough of running water or in a bucket of salt water or vinegar conveniently placed in the latrine.
While this may seem like an improvement over a simple stick, the communal nature of the roman toilet sponge raises modern sanitation concerns. Sharing a single sponge after use likely contributed to the spread of intestinal worms and other diseases. The roman sponge stick is a classic example of an invention that solved one problem while perhaps creating another.
Greek Pessoi & Ostraka
what did people use before toilet paper in Ancient Greeks? Evidence suggests they relied on readily available materials: smooth stones called pessoi and rounded shards of ceramic pottery known as ostraka. These were essentially stones and broken pot pieces smoothed by water or by hand to reduce irritation.
Interestingly, archaeologists have found ostraka with the names of their enemies inscribed on them. This suggests a unique, perhaps vengeful, form of personal hygiene. One can only imagine the satisfaction of wiping with a shard bearing the name of a political rival. Using hard materials like ceramic shards, a person risked scrapes and skin irritation.
Ship & Rural Solutions
Life at sea posed unique challenges. Sailors in the past often used a frayed rope dangled in the seawater as their toilet paper alternative. On coastlines, smooth shells were another convenient choice. The guiding principle was simple: use what is smooth, accessible, and disposable.
Soft Natural Materials
So, what did people use before toilet paper? Well, for most of history, people around the world used what nature provided: soft, organic materials like leaves, moss, or even animal fur. The exact material depended entirely on the local ecosystem.
- Leaves and Grass: This was the most common solution globally. Large, soft leaves from plants like mullein (often called "cowboy toilet paper") were especially prized.
- Moss and Tundra: In colder, northern climates like Scandinavia, Vikings likely used handfuls of soft moss. Similarly, Inuit and other arctic peoples used snow in the winter and tundra moss in the summer for cleaning.
- Wool and Fur: In very cold regions, scraps of wool or animal fur would provide a soft and insulating wipe.
- Native American Practices: What did Native Americans use to wipe? Practices varied widely by tribe and environment. People used everything from smooth stones and leaves to grass and, in agricultural societies, corncobs.
Agricultural Byproducts and Household Materials
With the rise of agriculture and settled life, new materials became available. These were often byproducts of farming or items found within the home.
Corn Cobs for Toilet Paper
In rural North America, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, the corn cob was the king of the outhouse. For them, the answer to 'what did people use before toilet paper?' is simple: they used corn cobs. After the corn was eaten, the dried, absorbent cob served as a surprisingly effective cleaning tool. It was readily available, free, and its texture was suitable for the job. The widespread use of corn cobs for toilet paper is a well-documented part of American history. Today, eco friendly toilet paper offers a similar sustainable approach, using renewable materials for a cleaner, greener alternative to traditional options.
Newspapers and Catalogs
As printing became cheaper and more widespread in the 19th century, paper found a second life in the outhouse. Newspapers, old letters, and pages from the farmer's almanac were common substitutes.
Perhaps the most famous example is the Sears Roebuck catalog. Before its pages became glossy, the catalog was printed on soft, absorbent paper. Many families would hang it from a nail in the outhouse, making it a source of both reading material and hygiene supply. When Americans began using these catalogs, it marked a major shift toward paper-based wiping, paving the way for toilet paper finally becoming mainstream.
When and Where Toilet Paper Emerged
So, when was toilet paper invented? The story of toilet paper doesn’t start in the West, but rather in medieval China, where paper was first adapted for this very personal purpose. While its early use was a simple solution to a common need, the evolution of this humble product is far more fascinating. How is toilet paper made today, and where does toilet paper come from? These are questions that link history, innovation, and environmental considerations, each revealing a surprising journey behind something so ordinary.
China’s Pioneering Role in Toilet Paper History
According to Live Science, the history of toilet paper can be traced back to ancient China, where it was first used for hygiene purposes. The scholar-official Yan Zhitui (531–591) wrote that he would never dare use paper with the names of sages on it for toilet purposes, implying that other types of paper were being used.
By the 14th century, the use of toilet paper had become institutionalized. Historical records from the Ming Dynasty show mass production for the imperial court. In 1393 alone, the Bureau of Imperial Supplies produced 720,000 sheets of toilet paper for general court use. Even more impressively, 15,000 special sheets of soft, perfumed paper were manufactured exclusively for the emperor's family. This happened centuries before the West even considered using paper for hygiene. Today, all natural toilet paper made from bamboo or recycled materials offers an eco-friendly option that harks back to the resourcefulness of ancient methods.
Toilet Paper in the Industrial West
The West was slow to adopt toilet paper. It wasn't until 1857 that American inventor Joseph Gayetty introduced the first commercially produced toilet paper. He sold packages of flat, moistened sheets made from hemp and infused with aloe, which he marketed as “Medicated Paper.” Gayetty was so proud of his invention that he had his name printed on every sheet.
However, the public was hesitant. People were used to getting their wiping material for free from catalogs and newspapers, and the idea of paying for it seemed absurd. A cultural embarrassment around bodily functions also made it difficult to market the product.
The real breakthrough came in 1890 when the Scott brothers began selling toilet paper on a roll. By selling it to hotels and drugstores without their name on it, they sidestepped the marketing taboo. Even then, early toilet paper had its problems—it was often coarse and could contain splinters. It wasn't until the 1930s, with the development of "splinter-free" manufacturing techniques, that the roll of toilet paper became a common fixture in American homes.
Regional Differences and Ongoing Alternatives
Today, the soft roll is dominant in many parts of the world, but it is far from universal. Many cultures continue to prefer water-based cleaning, using bidets, special hoses, or handheld sprayers. These toilet paper alternatives are often seen as more hygienic and eco friendly. The global conversation around bathroom hygiene continues to evolve, with growing interest in sustainable options like bamboo or recycled paper.
Evidence and Fact-Checking: How We Know What We Know
Understanding what did people use before toilet paper was invented requires a mix of archaeology, historical texts, and oral traditions.
| Method/Material | Type of Evidence | Region/Era | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hygiene Sticks | Archaeological Find | Han Dynasty China (c. 110 BCE) | Direct evidence from Xuanquanzhi latrine; fecal residue confirmed use. |
| Tersorium | Archaeological & Textual | Ancient Rome | Latrine remains, plus written accounts from authors like Seneca. |
| Pessoi/Ostraka | Archaeological Find | Ancient Greece | Artifacts found in excavations, some with names inscribed. |
| Paper | Textual Record | Medieval China (6th-14th c.) | Written accounts by scholars and detailed imperial court supply records. |
| Corn Cobs | Oral History & Anecdotal | 19th c. North America | Widely referenced in historical accounts and museum collections. |
| Catalogs | Oral History & Museum Items | 19th-20th c. North America | Common knowledge and physical catalogs preserved from the period. |
Hygiene and Health: Risks and Innovations
Ancient methods were not without risk. The Roman communal sponge was a perfect vehicle for spreading bacteria and parasites. The discovery of parasite eggs on the Silk Road hygiene sticks shows that disease transmission was a constant issue. People tried to clean their tools—rinsing the tersorium in salt water or vinegar, for instance—but their understanding of germs was nonexistent.
Material Properties and Science
The choice of material was highly practical. People sought items that were:
- Absorbent: Moss, corncobs, and soft newsprint were effective in this regard.
- Non-Abrasive: Smooth stones, soft leaves, and wool were chosen to prevent irritation.
- Available: The most important factor was what could be found nearby for free.
Social, Cultural, and Ritual Contexts
What people used to wipe was also tied to social status and cultural beliefs.
Class and Setting Influence
In both ancient Rome and medieval China, there was a stark difference between the practices of the rich and the poor. The Chinese imperial family enjoyed scented, soft-fabric paper, while a commoner might use a simple bamboo spatula or a handful of grass. A wealthy Roman might have a private latrine and a personal tersorium, while the average citizen used the shared, public facilities.
Religious and Ritual Motivations
For many, hygiene was, and still is, a matter of spiritual purity. Islamic tahara provides detailed rules for cleansing with water to achieve ritual cleanliness. Similarly, aspects of Hindu and Jewish traditions also contain prescriptions for washing after using the toilet. These customs underscore that for much of human history, bathroom practices were about more than just physical cleanliness—they were about spiritual well-being.
What History Teaches Us About Toilet Hygiene
The history of what people use before toilet paper is a powerful reminder of human ingenuity. Faced with a universal need, societies across the globe adapted using local resources, climate, and cultural norms. From stone and stick to sponge and paper, our quest for cleanliness reveals our ability to innovate.
The modern roll of toilet paper is only one solution in a long line of inventions. Many traditional methods, especially water-based cleansing, remain effective, hygienic, and in many cases, more environmentally friendly. Exploring this history shows us that the definition of "clean" is as diverse and fascinating as humanity itself.
Frequently Asked Questions: Before Toilet Paper
1. Did people really use corn cobs or newspapers?
It's true. In the United States from the 19th to the early 20th century, corn cobs were indeed the “standard equipment” for outdoor toilets, especially in rural areas. Dried corn cobs are highly absorbent and effective for cleaning. Back then, resources were scarce, so people had to make do with whatever was available. Corn cobs were both convenient and free. Their rough texture made them ideal for wiping.
Later, with technological advancements, by the late 19th century, printing costs had decreased, and newspapers and various product catalogs were everywhere. At this point, people discovered that these items could serve other purposes. They proved particularly useful in outdoor toilets. Their paper was not as smooth, had good absorbency, was much softer than corn cobs, and did not cause irritation.
These two uses persisted until the early 20th century, when toilet paper became cheap and easily available, gradually replacing them. It may seem a bit incredible now, but people at that time used the resources around them to the fullest, which was both practical and economical, and it showed a wisdom in life.
2. What did different groups like Vikings, cowboys, and Native Americans use to wipe?
Vikings, cowboys, and Native Americans all relied on natural materials found nearby for cleaning. Whatever was available where they lived, they used.
Vikings lived on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The abundant moss found there made for an excellent choice. They engaged in agriculture, and wool and hay were plentiful. These two materials were convenient to use, allowing them to keep themselves clean even in the coldest weather.
Cowboys on the American frontier had to make do with whatever was available in the wild. Grass and soft leaves were common, such as the large, soft leaves of the cottonweed plant. If nothing else was available, torn pages from yearbooks, newspapers, or catalogs could also be used.
For Native American tribes, if they were in the forest, they used leaves, grass, or soft moss. In agricultural areas, they used corn cobs. Sometimes even smooth stones could be used.
Inuit people in the Arctic use snow for cleaning in winter to withstand extreme conditions. When the weather warms up, they use soft moss, which is abundant locally.
Each of these groups is a master of survival, making full use of the materials available to them to effortlessly meet their daily needs.
3. Is water or paper more hygienic?
Which is more hygienic, water or paper? This has always been a topic of debate, and there are many practical considerations involved. Many health experts and cultures that use water for cleaning believe that washing with water is more effective than wiping with dry paper at thoroughly removing feces. While toilet paper, while convenient and widely available, isn't necessarily as effective as washing with water. Sometimes if you use too little paper, or if the paper itself is rough, there might be some residue left behind after wiping. And if you wipe too many times, people with sensitive skin will inevitably feel uncomfortable, and it might even cause redness or pain. Therefore, those who prefer washing with water often say that it not only cleans thoroughly but is also gentle on the skin, leaving one feeling refreshed and comfortable afterward.
Ultimately, whether to choose water or paper depends on personal habits and convenience. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. People may prefer methods that are both clean and environmentally friendly. After all, being a bit more particular never hurts, and feeling comfortable is always better.
4. Why does the left hand have special significance in some cultures?
Why does the left hand have special significance in many parts of the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia? This is related to local toilet habits and religion.
People in these areas have the habit of cleaning themselves with water after using the toilet, so a fixed practice has gradually formed: the left hand is specifically used for “unclean” tasks, such as wiping the buttocks. The right hand, on the other hand, is used for “clean” tasks. These include eating, greeting others, or handling important items. This practice stems from a concern for hygiene. After all, the left hand is used for cleaning and may come into contact with dirt. The right hand remains cleaner. Keeping the left hand separate from the right hand reduces the risk of bacterial cross-contamination.
This custom is also tied to local culture and religion. In these regions, the right hand symbolizes purity and respect. In many such societies, using the left hand to eat or shake hands is seen as disrespectful and impolite. In short, this practice is not only about personal hygiene but also about fostering social etiquette.
5. What do Amish use for toilet paper?
The Amish upheld a simple philosophy of living. These traditionalists, who reject cars and electricity, even insist on using the environmentally friendly methods passed down from their ancestors when it comes to using the restroom. You'd never guess that their most commonly used “toilet paper” is actually cloth pieces made from old clothes! They prefer practical alternatives that align with their sustainable values, upholding their principles. In many Amish homes, rags are a common toilet paper alternative. These rags are typically old clothes that have been worn out. After simple processing, they become practical cleaning tools. After use, they are washed clean and can be reused multiple times. This practice perfectly aligns with the Amish way of life. Each rag is used to its fullest potential through repeated use. In addition to fabric, the Amish also flexibly use natural materials based on the resources available in their surroundings. For example, in areas with abundant vegetation, they gather soft leaves, clean grass blades, or absorbent moss to meet their needs. To outsiders, this might seem unusual or even hard to understand. But it is precisely this commitment to a simple lifestyle that defines the Amish. They deliberately avoid disposable items like toilet paper because they don't want to be overly dependent on external industrial systems. While you may be debating which brand of toilet paper to buy, the Amish have already resolved the issue in the simplest way possible.
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