The Dirt on Clean

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For the first-century Roman, cleanliness involved a public two-hour soak in varying temperatures, body scraping with a miniature rake, and a final application of oil. In contrast, the seventeenth-century aristocratic Frenchman considered changing his shirt daily and using perfume essential, while avoiding water altogether. By the early 1900s, North America embraced the idea of frequent bathing, even daily, leading to unprecedented cleanliness reminiscent of the Roman Empire. As the millennium approached, standards became even more stringent. Today, we inhabit a deodorized world where germophobes avoid handshakes and hand sanitizer sales soar. Katherine Ashenburg uses the act of washing with soap and water as a springboard for a unique exploration of Western culture, uncovering surprising insights about privacy, health, individuality, religion, and sexuality. She investigates cleanliness in plague-ridden streets, medieval baths, castles, and various bathrooms, revealing the odd prescriptions of historical doctors and the hygienic habits of kings, monks, and everyday people. Filled with amusing anecdotes and quotes from historical figures, this exploration is both intriguing and humorous, shedding light on our evolving understanding of cleanliness and its deeper implications for our identities.