We often take our access to good plumbing and a vast selection of cleaning products for granted, not knowing that they were nonexistent during the colonial era. The absence of these hygiene tools made America very unclean, as one English traveler remarked, “filthy, bordering on the beastly”. Today, we’ll be heading back to the colonial era to see their views on personal hygiene.
A Basin of Water and a Wet Cloth
Since plumbing didn’t exist during the colonial era, full-body baths were not expected from the colonials. The only people that ever received such a luxury were children, and it wasn’t given to clean them, instead, to harden them.
As for adults, they usually bathed by wiping the dirt off their bare skin with a cloth dipped into a pail of water. It’s similar to how you’d wipe stains off your shelf.
Outhouses
This fact might be obvious, but during the colonial era, houses had outhouses nearby, and chamber privy pots indoors for excretion. Unfortunately, these chambers were emptied by throwing their content out the window whenever it was full.
Sadly, these human waste found its way into streams, lakes, and rivers, resulting in the contamination of drinking water and spreading of diseases. This lack of an efficient disposal system led to the death of many colonials.
Ear and Teeth Cleaning Tool
Archaeologists recently uncovered a silver earpick that dates back to the 17th century which was most likely used to clean the ear, nails, teeth, and many other body parts.
You might think that this tool has only one useful part; however, it comes with several points for various tasks. The primary end is a scooping tool, while other smaller sections can be used to clean several parts of the body like the fingernails and teeth.
Powdered Wigs
Photos and paintings of the colonial era often depict men from the upper class with white wigs. Well, history reveals that these headpieces have quite a story.
Lice infestation was a common problem in the colonial era, and the best solution was to shave your hair and cover the baldness with a wig made from animal fur. However, these Wigs also attracted lice and other insects because of the pomade and products used to treat them. It was a literal war on bugs.
Outhouses
This fact might be obvious, but during the colonial era, houses had outhouses nearby, and chamber privy pots indoors for excretion. Unfortunately, these chambers were emptied by throwing their content out the window whenever it was full.
Sadly, these human waste found its way into streams, lakes, and rivers, resulting in the contamination of drinking water and spreading of diseases. This lack of an efficient disposal system led to the death of many colonials.
Anyone Could Pull a Tooth Out
Since there were no American dentists during the colonial era, removing a toothache would require you to visit a skilled adult such as the blacksmith, barber, apothecary, or surgeon.
The unique tool these individuals used for teeth removal consisted of natural remedies like alcohol, figs, and opium to numb the aching tooth or extract it. Obviously, these procedures were dangerous and often led to the teeth becoming infected for several months, even years.
Ear and Teeth Cleaning Tool
Archaeologists recently uncovered a silver earpick that dates back to the 17th century which was most likely used to clean the ear, nails, teeth, and many other body parts.
You might think that this tool has only one useful part; however, it comes with several points for various tasks. The primary end is a scooping tool, while other smaller sections can be used to clean several parts of the body like the fingernails and teeth.
Powdered Wigs
Photos and paintings of the colonial era often depict men from the upper class with white wigs. Well, history reveals that these headpieces have quite a story.
Lice infestation was a common problem in the colonial era, and the best solution was to shave your hair and cover the baldness with a wig made from animal fur. However, these Wigs also attracted lice and other insects because of the pomade and products used to treat them. It was a literal war on bugs.
Soap for the Dishes and Laundry
Unlike today, bathing soaps were a luxury possessed only by wealthy colonials. The only detergent available to commoners was Lye soup – made from a mixture of animal fat, ash, and lye.
Unfortunately, this soap was too harsh for regular bathing and too expensive to waste that only the dishes and the dirtiest laundry – underwear, diapers, and aprons – were qualified for washing. This attitude shouldn’t be surprising since the colonials didn’t care much about hygiene.
Shaving Was Exclusive to Men
The majority of men weren’t interested in trimming hair from any part of their body until the late 18th century. During that time, barbers were primarily men of color who only rendered services to individuals of the same gender.
As for women, there is no evidence revealing that they shaved. The possibility of women shaving by themselves is low since they risk having a bloodbath if the procedure is done incorrectly.
Settlers Complained About “Vermins”
Upon visiting Jamestown, Captain John Smith instantly became disappointed with the environment because it was infested with what he describes as “noisy creatures” – mostly flies, mosquitos, lice, and cockroaches.
The colonists also battled with lice and fleas as they were a daily discovery on garments. Some missionaries like George Henry Loskiel complained about a massive bug that’s locally dubbed “living ashes” because it’s bite stings like a hot coal.
Dysentery Was Common
As I mentioned previously, there was no proper sanitation, and outhouses were often near water sources. Therefore, disease was the norm of the day throughout the colonies. Children and adults regularly developed illnesses like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever.
This problem was so significant that it made an appearance in one of the biggest moments in history; nearly two-third of George Washington’s army perished of typhoid, dysentery, influenza, and other infectious diseases.
George Washington’s Filthy Soldiers
During the Revolutionary War, George Washington knew that personal hygiene was essential to preventing the spread of diseases, so he ordered his men to wash regularly. However, these commands fell on deaf ears as the soldiers ignored them because they were a hassle to obey.
Fortunately, George Washington was able to maintain camp cleanliness with the help of “camp followers” – women who assisted the soldiers with cooking, cleaning, and other essential services.
Female Body Odor
As previously stated, opinions regarding hygiene was not uninform during the colonial era, so people cleaned themselves in whatever way they pleased. Nevertheless, doctors advised women to wash regularly to avoid diseases that might affect their reproductive organs.
Unfortunately, society didn’t share the same views with the doctors as many – including founding father Thomas Jefferson, who encouraged women (especially his daughter) to defend themselves against men by being offensive to the nose.
George Washington Bought Teeth
It’s no surprise to see George Washington appear multiple times in this list since he was a significant figure during the Colonial era. It might be impossible to imagine, but according to George Washington’s ledger, he paid six pounds and two shillings to “Negros for nine Teeth on Acct of Dr Lemoin”.
While this act might seem gruesome and revolting, it was a common practice among poor folks who traded their healthy teeth in exchange for money. History records that Washington struggled with his teeth throughout his life.