Imagine what life would be like if we didn’t have access to some of the “luxuries” that we have today: like running water, plumbing systems, soap, toothbrushes… you know, the necessities. It’s unfathomable how anyone could function without such, but once upon a time, they did.
There were no other options, which raises the question, “How clean could America possibly have been?” Clearly, we take too much for granted. If this little peek back in time doesn’t immediately make you feel more grateful, it is highly debatable that anything would.
Soap was exclusive for laundry, diapers and dishes
In today’s world, it’s easy to assume that anything pertaining to hygiene involves the use of some type of soap. Back then, this wasn’t the case. Bathing soap was considered a luxury that only the wealthy could afford.
All that was available to the other colonials was lye soap – a detergent made from a mixture of animal fat, ash, and lye. It was too harsh to bathe with and too expensive to waste on anything other than the dirtiest dishes, diapers, and underwear. Clearly, hygiene wasn’t a priority.
