Prior to the invention of toilet paper, Chinese people utilized a variety of materials for personal hygiene and cleaning after defecating. Some of the more common items used were plant leaves, paper, bamboo sticks, silk, rags, sponges, snow, and water. The choice of material often depended on social class, region, and era.
Toilet paper, as we know it today, was not used in China until the late 1800s when Western influence introduced the product. Before then, the Chinese had a long history of innovating their own methods and materials for personal hygiene over thousands of years.
Pre-Imperial China (Before 221 BC)
In early Neolithic and Bronze Age China (c. 10,000 BC to 1500 BC), archeological evidence indicates people likely used materials readily available in nature for personal hygiene. Large leaves, smooth stones, grass, moss, and water were common cleaning tools after defecating.
The earliest example of manmade hygiene materials dates back to the Yangshao culture in the Yellow River Valley around 5000 to 3000 BC. Pottery shards called “san guan” which loosely translates as “3-prong cleaners” have been unearthed at Yangshao sites. These are believed to be an early prototype of the tou hua, small sticks or flat chopstick-like implements, used for cleaning after toileting.
During the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC), broken pottery and clam shells have been found which archaeologists believe were used as primitive toilet paper. The shells were likely valued for their smooth edges.
The first decorative bronze toiletry set was made during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC). This included a pan, scraper, and pick specifically meant for cleaning the body after using the bathroom. However, these luxurious bronze tools were only affordable and available to wealthy nobles of the time.
Plant Leaves as Toilet Paper
For commoners without access to specialized tools, leaves from trees, vegetables, and crops were the most abundant source of toilet paper. Chinese literature from the era mentions a variety of plants used:
- Reeds – The hollow stems could be cut and soaked in water to soften and wipe.
- Vegetable leaves – Spinach, lettuce, and cabbage leaves were commonly used in rural areas.
- Corn husks – Dried corn husks made a rough toilet paper substitute.
- Straw and hay – Used primarily by farmers and peasants.
- Leaves from the Chinese arborvitae tree. The large fibrous leaves created a soft wiping material.
The choice of leaves often depended on the region and agricultural crops grown locally. Wet leaves also offered an early prototype of the modern bidet for cleaning and washing.
Imperial China (221 BC–1912 AD)
During the Qin (221–206 BC) and Han (206 BC–220 AD) Dynasties, the manufacturing and diversity of materials used for hygiene and cleaning expanded.
Paper
Paper was invented in China around the 1st century BC. Affordable paper became available to all social classes by the 6th century AD during the Sui Dynasty.
Early toilet paper was made from scraps, waste paper, or paper from books. Perforated sheets of paper were common in the later Imperial dynasties.
However, paper was considered a luxury item for much of Imperial China’s history. It was too expensive for most commoners to waste on toilet duties. But government officials and the elite often used paper.
Poems and Texts Used as Toilet Paper
It was common practice for wealthy Chinese to have servant girls recite poems or texts while they used the toilet. The familiar texts helped pass the time and occupy the mind.
There are also legends of scholars and politicians using pages from books or unpublished writings as toilet paper as an act of final contempt or to make a political statement. For example, in the 1300s, a disgruntled scholar allegedly used pages from Zhu Xi’s classic Confucian text Reflections on Things at Hand to wipe himself as the ultimate insult.
Sticks and Stones
Sticks, bones, and smooth stones continued to be used by commoners throughout the Imperial Era for cleaning after defecating. Special tongue scrapers and toothpicks for oral hygiene were also common.
In 589 AD, Yan Zhitui wrote this in a family manual:
“It is best to use smooth small sticks, no bigger than your little finger…Do not use any kind of paper…it is too expensive.”
Sticks were often soaked in water first to increase effectiveness. Special bamboo toilet sticks with angled ends were developed during the late Ming Dynasty in the 16th century.
Water and Bidets
Using water for cleansing and washing continued to be common practice across all classes. Chamber pots were kept near the toilet so that water could be directly applied for rinsing and cleaning.
In wealthy homes and among the elite, early bidets may have been in use. In 747 AD, an Arab diplomat visiting China noted the use of water and essential oils for anal cleansing after defecating. Essential oils were valued for their fragrance.
In the late Ming Dynasty around 1587, Italian missionary Matteo Ricci described special water vessels and buckets beside toilets in Nanjing homes. These were filled with water and scraps of cloth or soft silk for cleansing.
Rags, Sponges, and Silk
Old rags, soft silk, and sponges were common hygiene products, especially for women. Silk and woven cloths were more absorbent and gentle than standard paper. Women would often carry personal cleaning rags or handkerchiefs.
Disposal and Reuse
In rural areas, most waste was safely disposed of immediately by burying or burning. In crowded cities, human feces were often collected as waste and repurposed.
A common practice was to reuse “night soil” or fecal matter as fertilizer for farming. Ancient Chinese farmers knew that aged human feces made excellent compost. Starting in the Sui Dynasty, public toilets would collect excrement for reuse in urban areas.
Rise of Commercialized Toilet Paper
Western toilet paper was first introduced to China in the late 1800s to early 1900s. It quickly gained adoption in urban areas and among the elite. Perforated toilet paper was considered more sanitary and convenient than traditional sticks or cloths.
As foreign companies set up production in China, locally produced toilet paper became affordable across the country by the 1930s. Major domestic toilet paper brands emerged after the Communist party took over in 1949.
Panda Brand
The most famous brand was Panda Toilet Tissue that debuted in 1928. It was packaged in pink with the iconic image of a panda. By the 1990s, over 90% of Chinese households used Panda toilet paper. The cuddly panda mascot made it a beloved national brand.
Today, most public toilets in China use modern toilet paper and toilet paper usage has soared. But traditional implements like sticks and water cleansing are still preferred in some rural areas. Each generation and region of China found innovative solutions with the resources they had available at the time. Necessity led to a long history of hygiene inventions.
Conclusion
Before the advent of toilet paper, the Chinese used a wide array of plant materials, paper, sticks, stones, water, and other implements for personal hygiene after using the toilet. Choice of materials depended on the time period, region, and class status. Leaves, rags, straw, bamboo, shells, silk, and similar items were most common.
The introduction of Western toilet paper in the late 1800s quickly led to mass adoption across China due to its convenience and sanitation advantages. But traditional solutions co-existed for decades after and are still used in some rural parts of China today. The history of toilet paper substitutes is a fascinating lens into Chinese culture and innovation.