The Surprising Way Ancient Romans Did Laundry: Cleaning Clothes with Urine.

When you think of the Roman Empire, you probably imagine grand buildings, powerful emperors, and gladiator fights. But here’s something you might not know: the Romans cleaned their clothes with urine! Yes, as strange as it sounds, urine was a key ingredient in their laundry routine. This odd fact gives us a peek into how practical and resourceful the Romans really were.

Why Urine? The Science Behind It

At first, using urine for laundry sounds gross, but there’s actually a good reason for it. Urine contains ammonia, a powerful cleaning agent. When urine sits for a while, it turns into ammonia, which can effectively remove dirt, grease, and stains from clothes. Plus, ammonia is great at whitening, so it was perfect for keeping those white Roman togas looking fresh.

Back then, modern detergents didn’t exist, so the Romans made do with what they had. Urine was easy to get and worked surprisingly well for cleaning clothes. This shows just how clever and practical the Romans were, using what nature provided to solve everyday problems.

How Did They Do It? The Roman Laundry Process

The process of using urine for laundry was more organized than you might think. The Romans had public urinals, where people would relieve themselves, and the urine was collected and taken to laundries, known as *fullonicae*. These laundries were run by professional laundry workers called fullers.

Once the urine was collected, it was left to ferment in large vats, allowing the ammonia to form. The clothes were then soaked in this urine mixture, and the fullers would stomp on them with their feet, kind of like how grapes are crushed to make wine. This stomping helped the ammonia penetrate deep into the fabric, loosening all the dirt.

After that, the clothes were rinsed in water to wash out the urine and remaining dirt. Sometimes, they were treated with a special clay to get them extra clean. Finally, the clothes were hung out to dry in the sun, which helped bleach and sanitize them even more.

The Fullers: The Laundry Pros of Rome

The fullers were the go-to people for laundry in ancient Rome, especially in the busy cities. They didn’t just wash clothes—they also dyed them, mended them, and removed tough stains. Fullers knew all the tricks of the trade when it came to caring for different types of fabrics.

Their workshops were bustling places, filled with vats of fermenting urine, drying clothes, and workers stomping on garments. Even though their job might seem a bit unpleasant, fullers played an important role in Roman society, making sure people’s clothes were clean and presentable. They were essential to everyday life, even if their work wasn’t the most glamorous.

How Did Romans Feel About It?

You might wonder how the Romans felt about using urine for laundry. Surprisingly, it doesn’t seem like they found it gross at all. In fact, it was just a normal part of life. The Roman writer Pliny the Elder even mentioned how effective urine was at cleaning clothes, which shows that people knew it worked well.

Public urinals were set up all over the city, and the process was organized, showing that this practice was widely accepted. The fullers might not have had the most respected job, but they were definitely appreciated for keeping everyone’s clothes clean.

The Urine Tax: Turning Waste into Revenue

Urine was so valuable in Rome that it was even taxed! Emperor Vespasian, who ruled from 69 to 79 AD, introduced a tax on urine collection. People who gathered urine from public urinals and sold it to fullers had to pay this tax, known as the *vectigal urinae*.

Vespasian’s idea to tax urine was a smart move. It generated extra money for the state and showed how resourceful the Roman Empire could be. When Vespasian’s son Titus complained that the tax was undignified, Vespasian famously replied, “Money doesn’t stink,” meaning that it doesn’t matter where the money comes from as long as it’s useful. This phrase is still used today when people talk about the value of money.

A Glimpse into Roman Life

The fact that the Romans used urine to wash their clothes gives us a unique look into their daily lives. It shows how practical and resourceful they were, making the best of what they had. It also highlights how they understood the science behind cleaning, even if they didn’t have the fancy detergents we use today.

While it might seem bizarre to us now, using urine for laundry made perfect sense in ancient Rome. It’s just one of the many ways that the Romans solved the challenges of everyday life. So, next time you think of the Roman Empire, remember not just the grand achievements, but also the surprising and clever ways they managed the ordinary tasks, like doing laundry.