Hygiene practices and sanitation in the Victorian Era
The Victorian era (1837–1901) was a time of rapid industrial growth, social change, and scientific advancement. However, hygiene practices during this period were vastly different from today’s standards. While some assume that Victorians rarely bathed and lived in filth, the reality is more complex. From shared bathwater to unusual toothpaste ingredients, Victorian hygiene was a mix of innovation, necessity, and sometimes, questionable practices.
1. Bathing was a luxury for some, and a struggle for others
Contrary to popular belief, Victorians did bathe, but the frequency and method depended on social class.
Wealthy and middle-class homes: Those who could afford it had tin or copper bathtubs in bedrooms or washrooms. These were filled with heated water, often by servants. Some wealthier homes even had early indoor plumbing by the late 19th century. However, full baths were usually taken once a week due to the effort required to heat water. Daily hygiene was maintained through sponge baths using a washbasin and cloth.
Working-class and poor households: Many relied on public bathhouses or simple washbasins at home. Entire families often shared the same bathwater, starting with the father, then the mother, and finally the children—leading to the phrase “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” Some families only bathed once a week or even less.
2. Hair washing and early dry shampoo
Washing one’s hair was a much rarer practice than today. Most people washed their hair only once a month, as water and soap could be harsh on the scalp. Instead, they relied on cornstarch or rice flour powders to absorb oil, an early version of dry shampoo. Some even used brandy or vinegar as a cleanser.
3. The strange world of Victorian oral hygiene
Toothpaste in the Victorian era contained some shocking ingredients:
Charcoal, crushed eggshells, brick dust, or baking soda were common abrasives, while some used ammonia or even urine due to its natural cleaning properties (though this was less common among the upper class). Queen Victoria herself had a silver-handled toothbrush with boar bristles, a luxury item only the elite could afford.
4. Dealing with body odor (or not)
Deodorant wasn’t widely available until the late 1800s, so body odor was a common issue.
Many Victorians simply relied on perfume to cover smells, while some women placed cotton pads in their armpits to absorb sweat. Since frequent bathing was discouraged by some doctors who believed it could weaken the body, personal hygiene relied heavily on changing clothes rather than washing skin frequently.
5. The infamous streets and the Great Stink of 1858
Victorian cities, especially London, were notorious for their foul smells. Before proper sewage systems, many people dumped chamber pot waste into the streets or rivers.
In 1858, a crisis known as “The Great Stink” occurred when extreme summer heat intensified the smell of raw sewage in the Thames River. The stench was so unbearable that it shut down Parliament, forcing the government to invest in a modern sewer system designed by Joseph Bazalgette—one of the most crucial public health advancements of the time.
6. Public bathhouses and communal hygiene
For those who couldn’t afford a private bath, public bathhouses were common, especially in cities. However, these baths were often gender-segregated but not very private. In some cases, people bathed in large communal tubs, sometimes even reusing the same water for multiple bathers.
7. Victorian doctors and fear of over-bathing
Surprisingly, some Victorian doctors warned against bathing too often, believing that frequent washing could strip the body of its natural oils and make people sick. This belief, combined with the difficulty of heating water, contributed to infrequent full-body bathing among the working class.
While hygiene in the Victorian era was far from modern standards, people did try to stay clean using the resources available. The wealthy enjoyed luxuries like indoor plumbing and perfumed soaps, while the poor had to make do with shared bathwater, sponge baths, and public washhouses. Advances in sanitation, including the development of sewage systems and better hygiene education, eventually led to improved living conditions. However, some of their methods—like using powders for hair washing and baking soda for teeth—aren’t so different from modern trends.
Victorian hygiene may seem strange by today’s standards, but it was a fascinating mix of tradition, superstition, and progress.
