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What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?

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Re: What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?

#501
post #457

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those things are supposedly hell on every septic, and even (older?) sewer, system.

You can put them in the trash.

If you had poo on your butt, would you wipe it off with toilet paper and throw it in the trash?

No because it would stink up the place and someone can touch your poo while taking out the trash

Re: What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?

#502

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's because people use "face wipes" instead of "wet wipes" meant to be used for the bum.

Nope. At least from all the articles I have seen from different waste treatment plants in America. Those wipes that are advertised as flushable don't breakdown that much and they just end up getting pulled out at the waste treatment plant.

That's because you are not buying the right ones. Real biodegradable & flushable wipes are okay for waste treatment plants. You need to purchase those that do not contain any trace of plastic fibers.

If you are so worried about clogging anything, put them in the compost bin.

Re: What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?

#503

For 22 years I used toilet paper until I traveled to South East Asia where every toilet has a seperate sprinkler. After a few toilet visits I decided to give it a GO. Man, toilet paper feels strange and plain stupid now. Water is way cheaper, doesn't hurt your "behind" and I feel cleaner afterwards. Paper seems an invention to sell something we really don't need (by Mad Men :-)).

It's called Bidet, from the french word. Bidets are very common in southern Europe. Bidets are more common in Mexico and parts of Canada than US. Anglo regions are behind on the trend here.

Re: What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?

#504
This entire discussion feels alien and even kinda primitive to me, someone grown up in India. We have a simple nozzle that sprays water and cleans your anus way better and without having to wipe it off yourself with toilet paper. Toilet paper just frankly seems like a hallmark of western consumerism to me.

Re: What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?

#505
post #356

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just like those stupid hand air driers at public facilities. God, how I hate those. Americans have it easy, in general paper towels are available even when the damn air thing is installed. But here in Europe, most often you only get the stupid air machine with no paper towels.

The high end ones take maybe 20s to dry your hands off. Properly drying your hands with paper towels takes at least as long and it wastes paper. What is your problem with an air dryer?

I hate it when there are only air dryers in a restroom. Towels can dry anything. Dryers are special built for hands. (sometimes i like to wash my face)

also, the level of noise pollution they create is toxic. Especially the high end/high speed ones.

Re: What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?

#506

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They don't.

Isn't that awkward? Your underwear will get wet, and also your skin is moist... and warm. Which is a good place for bacteria to grow?

It dries up way quicker than you might imagine. Especially, I guess it should be quicker in drier climates.

Re: What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?

#508

My grandfather grew up on a farm. He said they always had a bucket of corn husks in the outhouse and that was what you used. He was totally serious. If cheap toilet paper makes my bum feel raw, I can't even imagine what a corn husk would do to it.

I think you may have misheard him: farmers used to use corn cobs to wipe. https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-did-people-use-before-to...

Oh, you're right. He did say corn cobs. Apparently I don't use corn terminology often enough to keep everything straight.

Re: What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?

#510

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nope. At least from all the articles I have seen from different waste treatment plants in America. Those wipes that are advertised as flushable don't breakdown that much and they just end up getting pulled out at the waste treatment plant.

That's because you are not buying the right ones. Real biodegradable & flushable wipes are okay for waste treatment plants. You need to purchase those that do not contain any trace of plastic fibers. If you are so worried about clogging anything, put them in the compost bin.

And then there are those of us on a septic system - "Septic safe" still causes issues.

And do not get me started on antibacterials... RID dosages to the rescue! (not necessarily a product endorsement).

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