Before the invention of ‘toilet paper’ people used quite horrible materials instead. The cob, yes, the piece of pottery, the sand…just listening to it makes modern people shudder.
Today, toilet paper is a common item around the world. It is so important that in times of emergency, people have to jostle to buy more stock than food. However, the history of this item only began in the 14th century. So before that, how did humans solve the problem of personal hygiene when there was no paper?
1. Corn cob 
In the 1700s, Native Americans often used dried corncobs as ‘toilet paper’. This material is quite abundant, rich and soft, easy to absorb. Although the user may be a little sore, it is still considered safer and more comfortable than many other materials. 2. Snow 
For people living in cold areas, snow was a good candidate in a time when toilet paper wasn’t available. The only downside is probably the feeling of cold to the bone, but if you get used to it, no one will feel embarrassed because it is very clean. 3. Rocks 
It sounds unbelievable, but there were times when people used stones for cleaning. The advantage of this type of “toilet paper” is that it is easy to find, abundant. Just like the cob, although this is not the most comfortable material, it is at least very convenient when there is no other better material to replace it. 4. Wooden stick 
About 2000 years ago, people in ancient China used toilet sticks. This “toilet paper” is cut from bamboo and other woods, shaped like spoons. People call this tool salaka, cachou or chugi. The ends of the tools are covered with cloth to create a more comfortable feeling for the user. Even so, it still makes people shudder just thinking about it. 5. Broken ceramic shards 
Compared to the Chinese, the Greeks have even more creepy “toilet paper”. In ancient toilets, the Greeks used “pessoi” (small pieces of pottery) to clean after defecation. These ceramic pieces, usually 3-11 cm in diameter, are cut and angled from broken pottery. This material is so popular that the Greeks have an adage: “Three pieces are enough to wipe”. 6. Tersorium 
If the above materials are too hard and easily cause pain to the user, the Roman tersorium seems more comfortable. Tersorium is a cleaning device created by attaching sponges to a stick. Although there is no specific document on how to use it, many people think it is likely that tersorium is a toilet brush and not “toilet paper”. 7. Mussel shell 
People in the island and coastal areas often make use of natural resources as an alternative to “toilet paper”, despite the fact that they have many sharp edges. If there is no mussel shell, people will replace it with coconut shell. 8. Grass 
Grass and leaves are the softest method ever used by man in history. The advantage of this natural material is that it is easy to find, environmentally friendly and convenient. 9. Sand 
Different climatic conditions lead to different cleaning methods. In arid places, people are forced to use sand to replace toilet paper. This way is not very comfortable but is almost the only option for many people.
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