What did cowboys use as toilet paper?

Mullein aka “cowboy toilet paper”
If the cowboys used the large velvety leaves of the mullein (Verbascum thapsus) plant while out on the range, then you can too! Mullein is a biennial plant available for use in almost every bioregion.
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What did they use as toilet paper in the 1800s?

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.
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What did natives use for toilet paper?

Native Americans used twigs, dry grass, small stones, and even oyster or clam shells.
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What is cowboy toilet paper?

Cowboy's toilet paper is an invasive wildflower that is native to Eurasia and Africa. It is a biennial, meaning that it lives for two years. During the first year, it grows close to the ground as a basal rosette of leaves.
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What did the Romans use instead of toilet paper?

If you relieved yourself in a public latrine in ancient Rome, you may have used a tersorium to wipe. These ancient devices consisted of a stick with a vinegar- or salt water-soaked sponge attached.
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What Did Ancient People Use in the Bathroom?



What do the French use instead of toilet paper?

France, Portugal, Italy, Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, and Spain: Instead of toilet paper, people from these countries (most of them from Europe) usually have a bidet in their washrooms. A bidet like a toilet, but also includes a spout that streams water like a water fountain to rinse you clean.
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What did pirates use as toilet paper?

As toilet paper had not been invented the men would either have to use bits of old rag or rope to clean their back sides or sometimes there was a communal bucket and sponge. Urination was either into buckets or directly over the side. Some men did urinate against the side of the ship or onto the deck.
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What did they wipe with in the Old West?

One of the more popular early American wiping objects was the dried corn cob. A variety of other objects were also used, including leaves, handfuls of straw, and seashells. As paper became more prominent and expendable, early Americans began using newspapers, catalogs, and magazines to wipe.
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What did China use for toilet paper?

When not dirtying their drinking water they could also be found using rags, wood shavings, grass, leaves, hay, moss, snow, sand, stone and even, oddly, seashells. I'm betting that some of them weren't exactly as delicate and comforting as today's modern toilet paper.
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What did they use for toilet paper in the Dark Ages?

Wiping in the Medieval Times

Before toilet paper was even a concept, people just used whatever was available to wipe. This included items such as hay, wood shavings, corn cobs, and even iron cables.
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How did Romans wipe their bottoms?

The Romans cleaned their behinds with sea sponges attached to a stick, and the gutter supplied clean flowing water to dip the sponges in. This soft, gentle tool was called a tersorium, which literally meant “a wiping thing.” The Romans liked to move their bowels in comfort.
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What do Egyptians use for toilet paper?

Modern Egyptian Toilets

Today, you'll find modern squat toilets, but instead of toilet paper, rinsing with water is the norm. In fact, using toilet paper is seen by many to be unsanitary, as the paper can stick to you and do a poor job of cleaning things up.
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What did medieval people do for toilet paper?

In the Middle Ages, people would make use of sticks, moss and other plants. Archaeological findings from cesspits of monasteries in Ireland and Norway included small pieces of cloth that were used like toilet paper.
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Do Africans use toilet paper?

Yet 70% of the world's population doesn't use toilet paper at all. Big areas of southern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia use water instead.
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What did rich people use before toilet paper?

Before Toilet Paper

Leaves, rags, moss and rags were some of the less-painful (and probably more sanitary) options. Wealthy people used wool, lace or other fabrics. The idea of toilet paper actually dates back to medieval China, when a Chinese emperor used 2-foot by 3-foot sheets of paper.
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Why do humans need to wipe?

Short answer: Humans are the only mammals who have to wipe after defecating due to the shape and position of our anus in relation to our skin and the type of feces we produce.
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What do Europeans use instead of toilet paper?

In Europe, toilet paper is certainly an option for sanitation, but most occupants overseas prefer to use the bidet for cleaning themselves post toilet use.
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What did the Victorians use instead of toilet paper?

Before that, they used whatever was handy -- sticks, leaves, corn cobs, bits of cloth, their hands. Toilet paper more or less as we know it today is a product of Victorian times; it was first issued in boxes (the way facial tissue is today) and somewhat later on the familiar rolls.
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How do Koreans use toilet paper?

You have to flush toilet paper. It's water-soluble so there's no need to worry about clogging. But other bathrooms in restaurants and cafes usually ask people to throw toilet paper into the trash can due to low water pressure. You can often see a notice on the bathroom walls.
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How do you wipe without toilet paper?

What are the best alternatives to toilet paper?
  1. Baby wipes.
  2. Bidet.
  3. Sanitary pad.
  4. Reusable cloth.
  5. Napkins and tissue.
  6. Towels and washcloths.
  7. Sponges.
  8. Safety and disposal.
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How do they wipe their bum in India?

In India and the Indian subcontinent, over 95% of the population use water for cleansing the anal area after defecating. The cleaning of hands with soap/ liquid soap after this cleansing process is very important. In urban areas and newer settlements, bidet showers are widely used.
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How did pioneers go to the bathroom?

Pioneers did not have toilets. They did not have sinks. They used water from streams and rivers. They dug holes in the ground for toilets.
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How did Vikings use the bathroom on ships?

The ship's one toilet is a small transportable camp-toilet which is placed under deck in the bow. Under deck does not mean that you can go UNDER deck and hide. It just means that you will have to remove a few deck planks to reveal the toilet. The other toilet will be mounted when the ship is anchored t.
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Why do Mexicans not put toilet paper in the toilet?

In Mexico, if there is a septic tank, it is probably far smaller than those in the United States—especially if it is in rural areas. Therefore, flushing toilet paper in Mexico would require the septic tank to be cleaned more frequently.
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Why are there no toilet seats in Italy?

Most Italian public toilets don't have a toilet seat.

This has to do with maintenance. Since public toilets are often less than spotless, people often climb with their shoes on top of them, not to sit on a potentially dirty seat.
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