Boring History for Sleep Boring History For Sleep | Medieval Hygiene: Dirt, Disease & Bad Ideas 🧼⚰️
Jan 6, 2026
Discover the curious world of medieval hygiene, where cleanliness was just a matter of not being noticed! Baths were a rarity, with many using perfume instead of soap. Did you know that the Black Death and miasma theories reshaped bathing habits? Learn about linen shifts that absorbed sweat, the quirky scent practices of pomanders, and how class influenced hygiene. Delve into the fascinating contrast of noble and peasant routines, and even explore the creative ways people managed odors in a time of limited resources.
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Medieval Cleanliness Was Intentional
- Medieval people cared about cleanliness and developed practical ways to manage smell and dirt without germ theory.
- The stereotype of universal medieval filth is a later invention that misreads historical evidence.
Roman Baths Were Social Infrastructure
- Roman public bathing was elaborate, social and widespread across the empire.
- Its infrastructure needs made Roman bathing unsustainable once imperial systems collapsed.
Religion Reshaped Bathing Norms
- Christianity changed cultural norms around nudity and bathing, shifting practices though not banning baths outright.
- Criticisms of bathing often targeted exceptional religious contexts, not everyday hygiene.