When Was Toilet Paper Invented? 

A World Without Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is such a daily necessity that we rarely stop to think about its origins. But the truth is, this soft square of convenience is a relatively modern invention. For most of human history, people had to get creative when it came to cleaning up after using the bathroom. As your local experts in all things plumbing, Trusted Plumbing & Heating is here to walk you through the messy, surprising, and downright fascinating evolution of toilet paper.

Wiping Through the Ages: What Came Before Toilet Paper

Before the invention of toilet paper, people relied on what was naturally available. Wiping materials varied greatly depending on location, social status, and even climate.

Natural materials used for wiping:

• Leaves
• Moss
• Grass
• Sticks
• Stones
• Water
• Snow
• Animal furs
• Seashells

How class and culture influenced hygiene:

• Wealthy Romans and Europeans used wool, lace, or cloth.
• Commoners used rags, hay, or even the edge of their clothing.
• In tropical regions, people relied on water and vegetation.

Ancient Sanitation: Greece, Rome, and the Communal Sponge

The ancient Greeks used ostraca—broken pottery shards with smoothed edges—for wiping. Romans had their own unique solution: the tersorium or xylospongium, a sponge attached to a stick. It was kept in a bucket of vinegar or salt water and reused—shared among patrons of public toilets.

In public latrines, there were no dividers, and people sat side by side, often discussing politics and business while sharing cleaning tools. This form of sanitation, while seemingly crude by modern standards, shows the ingenuity of early civilizations in managing waste.

Archaeological evidence from Herculaneum, buried in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., revealed cloth fragments in sewers, suggesting that some citizens had access to more refined wiping options.

The Chinese Revolution: Early Paper Use for Personal Hygiene

Paper was invented in China around 100 B.C., but it wasn’t used for hygiene until much later.

• In the 6th century A.D., Chinese scholar Yen Chih-Thui wrote about using paper for bathroom purposes but refused to use sheets printed with sacred texts.
• By the 14th century, the Chinese imperial court commissioned over 10 million sheets of specially made toilet paper for the emperor and royal family.
• In the Han Dynasty, wooden spatulas called salaka, cechou, and chugi were wrapped in cloth and used for cleaning, some of which have been discovered with preserved fecal matter.

This period marks the earliest large-scale manufacturing of toilet paper-like products.

Medieval Wiping Methods in Europe

Toilet hygiene in medieval Europe was less advanced compared to China.

• The rich used cloths, wool, or lace.
• Commoners had access only to hay, straw, or leaves.
• In France and parts of Italy, bidets were introduced as an alternative cleaning method using water, offering a more hygienic and reusable option than cloth or plants.

Despite the invention of paper, it remained too expensive for common use in Europe during this period.

The Print Effect: Paper’s Rise in American Outhouses

In early America, the introduction of cheap print materials revolutionized hygiene in rural communities.

• People commonly used corncobs, but with the spread of printed materials, they turned to newspapers and mail-order catalogs.
• The Sears Roebuck catalog and Farmer’s Almanac became popular bathroom staples due to their free distribution and soft paper.
• In 1919, the Farmer’s Almanac even added a hole in the corner, allowing it to be hung on a hook inside outhouses.

This was the beginning of paper being normalized for bathroom use across the U.S.

Toilet Paper as a Product: Who Invented It and When?

So, when was toilet paper invented as a consumer product? In 1857, New Yorker Joseph Gayetty marketed “Medicated Paper for the Water-Closet.”

• Made from manila hemp and infused with aloe to soothe hemorrhoids
• Sold in packages of 500 sheets for 50 cents
• Each sheet was watermarked with Gayetty’s name

Later developments included:

• In 1890, the Scott Paper Company introduced perforated toilet paper on rolls.
• In 1930, the first splinter-free toilet paper was launched, addressing a real problem with early paper manufacturing.
• In Germany, the company Hakle marketed their product with the slogan: “Ask for a roll of Hakle if you don’t want to say toilet paper.”

Plumbing Changed Everything: The Role of Flush Toilets

Indoor plumbing revolutionized hygiene and made toilet paper essential.

• Early sewage systems couldn’t handle rags or catalog pages, which led to frequent clogs.
• Toilet paper was designed to break down quickly in water, making it compatible with plumbing systems.

At Trusted Plumbing & Heating, we frequently deal with clogged pipes caused by improper flushing habits. We recommend only flushing toilet paper—never wipes, paper towels, or anything else.

Our services include:

• Clog removal
• Sewer line cleaning
• Emergency drain clearing

Toilet paper didn’t just make life more comfortable; it helped protect modern plumbing infrastructure.

Modern Toilet Paper: From Single-Ply to Luxury Rolls

Today’s toilet paper industry is filled with options:

• Single-ply and two-ply rolls
• Quilted, embossed, or extra-soft textures
• Unscented, scented, or aloe-infused varieties
• Recycled or bamboo-based, eco-conscious alternatives

In the 1950s, colored toilet paper was trendy. Available in pink, lavender, and blue, it matched bathroom decor but was phased out due to skin sensitivities and chemical concerns.

Environmental awareness in the 1970s led to the rise of biodegradable and recycled TP brands. Today, sustainability continues to influence consumer choices.

Cultural Differences: Where Toilet Paper Is Not the Norm

While toilet paper is a staple in North America, it’s not the go-to method everywhere.

• In Japan, high-tech bidet toilets are standard.
• In Europe and Canada, many homes include bidets or bidet attachments.
• In South Asia and parts of Africa, water-based cleaning is common, often with the help of a small jug or hose.

These practices are not only eco-friendly but are often viewed as more hygienic.

The Psychology of Toilet Paper: Why We Hoard It

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the psychology of toilet paper into the spotlight.

• The sight of empty shelves caused panic buying, revealing how vital toilet paper is to people’s sense of normalcy.
• Experts suggest that it symbolizes control and preparedness in uncertain times.

It’s a curious reflection of modern life that something so humble can cause such emotional reactions.

Fun Fact Timeline: The Evolution of Toilet Paper

• 589 A.D.: First written mention of using paper for hygiene in China
• 1393: Over 720,000 sheets made for Chinese royal family
• 1857: Joseph Gayetty launches the first commercial toilet paper
• 1890: Introduction of perforated rolls
• 1930: Splinter-free TP hits the shelves
• 1950s: Colored toilet paper trends
• 2020: Pandemic-related hoarding peaks

Why It Matters for Plumbing Today

Toilet paper’s compatibility with plumbing is what makes it such an important product.

At Trusted Plumbing & Heating, we advise against flushing anything other than toilet paper. Even products labeled “flushable” can lead to major plumbing issues.

Common problems caused by flushing non-toilet paper materials:

• Clogged sewer lines
• Damaged pipes
• Septic system overload

We offer:

• Emergency plumbing services
• Drain cleaning
• Trenchless sewer repair
• Directional drilling

Final Wipe: How Far We’ve Come

From stones and sponges to high-quality multi-ply rolls, the evolution of toilet paper is a testament to human innovation. And thanks to modern plumbing, it’s more than just a comfort—it’s a necessity.

At Trusted Plumbing & Heating, we understand how plumbing and toilet paper go hand-in-hand. Let us help you keep things flowing smoothly, one flush at a time.

Expert Local Plumbing Services

From Repair to Installation, Maintenance and Upgrades (Including 24-Hour Emergencies)

Whether you need help with a clog, drain cleaning, sewer repair, trenchless pipe replacement, or even directional drilling, our professional team at Trusted Plumbing & Heating is ready to assist. We proudly serve Renton, West Seattle, Kent, Tacoma, and nearby areas throughout King and Pierce Counties in Washington.

Call us anytime at (206) 207-5399 to schedule your service. We strive to offer quick quotes and fast, reliable visits. Need help today? We can come out right away.

Get an Estimate today and let’s take care of your plumbing needs—because when your toilet paper does its job, your pipes should too.