Toilet paper?

Question

What did they use in the old days before toilet paper? You ever see the movies where those armies are marching off to war (Romans....Vikings...on and on...) What did they use? Evn the pilgrims? I would like to know this.

Answer 1

they didn't really use any thing.

if water was not available they used leaves, when water was available they washed.

Do you know in India they use this same method.
their bathroom has a hole in the floor with marble all around it, and they squat to do their duty. When done they have a spicit next to the "Hole" with a small bucket where they use their left hand to wash them self.
then they wash and scrub their hand properly at the sink when done.

they feel toilet paper does not properly work, as we think using your hand is pretty sick.

Answer 2

"In many parts of the world, especially before toilet paper was available or affordable, toilet paper is not used. Cleansing is then performed with other methods or materials, such as water, for example using a bidet, rags, sand, leaves (including seaweed), corn cobs or sticks. In some parts of the world, especially before toilet paper was available or affordable, the use of newspaper, telephone directory pages, or other paper products was common."

"Toilet paper : Alternatives", Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet_paper#Alternatives

"Elsewhere, water may be used (using a jet, as with a bidet, or splashed and washed with the hand). In other cultures and contexts, materials such as Rags, sand, leaves (including seaweed), corn cobs or sticks are used."

"Anal cleansing", Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_cleansing

"Anal Cleansing", Toolkit on Hygiene, Sanitation & Water, World Bank : http://www.schoolsanitation.org/BasicPrinciples/AnalCleansing.html

"What did people use before toilet paper? Well, just use your imagination: grass, leaves, fur, mussell shells, corncobs, stinging nettles... okay, maybe not that last, at least not more than once. The ancient Greeks used stones and pieces of clay; ancient Romans used sponges on the ends of sticks, kept in jugs filled with salty water. Mideasterners commonly used the left hand, which is supposedly still considered unclean in the Arabian region."

"Corncobs and pages torn from newspapers and magazines were commonly used in the early American West. The Sears catalogue was well-known in this context, and even produced such humorous spinoffs as the "Rears and Sorebutt" catalogue. The Farmer's Almanac had a hole in it so it could be hung on a hook and the pages torn off easily."

"History of Toilet Paper", The Virtual Toilet Paper Museum : http://nobodys-perfect.com/vtpm/ExhibitHall/Informational/tphistory.html

And if we can believe the SF movie "Demolition Man", in the future we will use three seashells (again?).

Answer 3

In many parts of the world, especially before toilet paper was available or affordable, toilet paper is not used. Cleansing is then performed with other methods or materials, such as water, for example using a bidet, rags, sand, leaves (including seaweed), corn cobs or sticks. In some parts of the world, especially before toilet paper was available or affordable, the use of newspaper, telephone directory pages, or other paper products was common.

Answer 4

Leaves, twigs, sticks, cloth, newspapers, catalogue pages, individual sheets of paper...
Edit: Incidentally...on this subject...never offer an Arab your left hand. It is considered an insult, since that is traditionally the hand that is used to wipe oneself.

Toilet paper wasn't "created" as it where, until the late 1800's or so.

You should be able to find more answers on Google, or in an Encyclopedia.

Answer 5

the Romans used sponges the true inventor of toilet paper has to go to the chines... but before that i guess anything that got the job done ...i wonder how many made the mistake of using poison Ivy..........my my!

Answer 6

The sears catalog used to be kept in the outhouse.

Answer 7

People used leaves, moss, rags, and old catalogs.

Answer 8

It doesn't bear thinking about, really. I suppose it must have been something like dock leaves or other vegetation.

Answer 9

leaves

paper that fresh fruit used to come wrapped in