What did people use to wipe before toilet paper?

Answer 1

Before the advent of such a trivial invention like the 'toilet paper', humans would use whatever was attainable.

This would range from leaves and moss, to the physical use of ones hand.

In the Middle East, the people would use their left hand and a little water to wipe.

This is why in Islamic and Arab lands, it is offensive to greet someone with your left hand.

The Romans were known to use a sponge on a stick. It would have sat next to the toilet in a bowl of salted water and replaced whenever it had reached its fullest potential.

Oddly enough, the Greeks would use clay, the Eskimos would use moss and Europeans would have used anything to hand; leaves, moss, grass, etc.

The Vikings are known to have used wool, so that to would have been used widespread through Europe.

It was the Chinese who invented the first toilet paper as we know it in the 14th Century.

I, for one, am glad they did.

Answer 2

Depends on the culture

• Romans were the cleanest. Wealthy used wool and rosewater and others used sponge attached to a wooden stick, soaked in a bucket of salt water.
• The Greeks would use clay.
• In Coastal Regions, mussel shells were used (and sometimes coconut husk).
• Europeans used hand (but they also used fountains with luxury of warm water).
• People from Islamic cultures used they left hand with little water (they are still doing that today). This is why it is offensive to greet someone with your left hand.
• The Eskimos would use moss or snow.
• The Vikings used wool.
• The Colonial Americans used the core center cobs from shelled ears of corn.
• The Mayans used corn cobs.
• The French invented the first bidet (of course without of modern Plumbing).
• The Chinese invented the first toilet paper as we know it in the 14th Century.

source:
http://www.toiletpaperhistory.net/toilet-paper-history/used-before-toilet-paper/

Answer 3

News paper, corn husk

Answer 4

Corn