In medieval times, people relied on whatever soft, accessible materials their environment offered. Because paper was an expensive luxury, methods varied wildly based on wealth and geography:
The history of anal hygiene, from the Greco-Roman world to ancient China and ancient Japan, involves the widespread use of sponges and sticks as well as water and paper. The inclusion of anal cleansing facilities is often overlooked in the design of public or shared toilets in developing countries.
Alternatives to toilet paper in the Middle Ages
In Europe, wealthier people used wool, rags and scraps of cloth to wipe themselves. The common people knew how to make do with leaves, moss, straw, hay or simply with their hands and water.
Around 70% of the world doesn't rely on toilet paper in the way we do, turning to water before tissue.
Many traditional Amish communities consider manufactured toilet paper an unnecessary luxury and use resource-saving alternatives instead. In outhouses, families often repurpose old newspapers, magazine pages, or catalogs (like the Sears and Roebuck catalog). To make the paper soft enough to use, they crumple it vigorously multiple times.
Muslims use water instead of, or in addition to, toilet paper to clean themselves after using the restroom. This practice, called Istinja, is rooted in Islamic hygiene and purity laws.
Amish men generally do not use condoms. Because the Amish view having children as a blessing from God, the use of artificial contraception is typically forbidden by their religious doctrine.
The most advanced washlets can mix the water jet with soap for an improved cleaning process. The washlet can replace toilet paper completely, but many users opt to use both wash and paper in combination—although use of paper may be omitted for cleaning of the vulva.
While data on this topic often relies on surveys, findings suggest that 13% of Americans do not use toilet paper every time they poop, and about 7% of people in the US admit to not washing their butts regularly. Globally, roughly 70% of the world's population does not use toilet paper, opting instead for water-based methods like bidets.
France, Portugal, Italy and Japan.
Instead of toilet paper, people from these countries usually have bidets in their bathrooms. A bidet looks like a toilet but also has a spout that sprays water like a fountain to thoroughly cleanse you.
While people in medieval times weren't quite as filthy as we tend to think, they certainly weren't clean by today's standards.
The "poop rule" can refer to two completely different, highly popular concepts. Depending on whether you are talking about health or home organization, it refers to either digestion frequency or a viral decluttering hack.
She used either a special herbal mixture that included salt, thyme and marjoram, or perfumed sachets of sweet almonds, pine nuts, and lily bulbs which had been designed especially for her baths by her perfumer. Sometimes she ate breakfast in the bath!
Yes, modern kings wipe their own bottoms. Today's royals manage their own personal hygiene like everyone else.
Biggest human poop is from a viking. Found in York, England in 1972 at 20cm long: r/OakIsland.
Although there is no concrete proof, it is entirely possible that medieval women used moss-stuffed napkins as sanitary pads. We know that moss is very like a very fine sponge. It easily and quickly absorbs liquid and retains it. Water can be squeezed out and the moss does not collapse and is ready for reuse.
Eating any food while on the toilet is forbidden. After defecating, the anus must be washed with water using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called jamrah or hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that toilet paper suffices in place of these stones.
Yes, roughly 70% of the global population does not use toilet paper as their primary method of bathroom hygiene. Instead, the majority of people worldwide rely on water-based cleaning methods, which are considered more hygienic, sustainable, and culturally appropriate.
Yes, Chinese people use toilet paper, but the etiquette and habits surrounding it differ significantly from Western norms.
Dermatologists and hygiene experts consistently identify the belly button, behind the ears, and between the toes as the most neglected and least washed body parts. Because they are hidden and easily overlooked, these warm, moist folds frequently trap sweat, dead skin, and bacteria.
Excessive wiping can lead to itching and discomfort. Ideally, you should only need to wipe two to three times after using the toilet. If you're experiencing any discomfort, consult a doctor if your symptoms persist.
Notes: “Loo” is the standard British word for toilet; “Portaloo” is a trademark. Britain and Ireland slang. Common terms: Bog, privy, the jacks. Notes: “Bog” is an informal word for toilet; “privy” comes from “private place”; “the jacks” is Irish slang based on inventor Jack Power.
The Japanese do shave their faces, arms, legs, and pubic areas. Those with hairy pubic areas are considered sexy. However, as the Western culture has influenced the country, this practice has become more accepted in Japan. A Japanese woman who is hairless is not considered sexy – she is like a neutered man.
The "5-minute rule" in Japan refers to a strict cultural practice of punctuality where you are expected to arrive at least five minutes before a scheduled meeting or appointment. Arriving "exactly on time" is often viewed as late, while being too early can also be seen as an imposition.