In the 1800s, personal hygiene was viewed much differently than it is today. Daily bathing was not common, deodorants and antiperspirants did not exist yet, and people’s tolerance for body odors was much higher. However, there were still cultural norms and practices around minimizing body odor in the 1800s.
Bathing and Cleanliness
Regular bathing was not the norm in the 1800s, especially for lower classes. Bathing took time and effort to draw water, heat it, and fill a tub. It was an arduous process without running water and indoor plumbing. Many people might bathe only once a week or even less frequently. However, attitudes toward bathing began to shift in the mid-to-late 1800s as cities built more public bathhouses and hygiene standards improved.
When people did bathe in the 1800s, they often used a washbasin, sponge bath, or stream instead of a full tub bath. Soap was handmade using animal fat and lye. Higher classes had nicer soaps scented with botanical oils. The wealthy had more access to full baths thanks to servants hauling water.
Laundering clothing and linens helped keep down odors as well. Clothes, towels, and bedding were washed periodically. However, the lower classes likely did laundry less frequently due to the effort involved.
Deodorants and Fragrances
Commercial deodorants and antiperspirants did not exist yet in the 1800s. However, people did use some homemade deodorizing preparations.
Perfumes, colognes, and scented waters helped mask body odors. Floral extracts like rose, lavender, orange blossom, or jasmine provided a pleasant fragrance. However, these were expensive, so cheaper herbal-scented waters were more common.
A paste could be made from baking soda and water and applied underarms to help neutralize odors. Vinegar or lemon juice also helped deodorize and freshen the body. Soaps were often scented with oils or herbs to provide a lingering fresh scent after bathing.
Changing Clothes and Linens
Along with bathing, changing out of dirty clothes and into clean ones helped reduce body odor. The wealthy could change their clothing, shirts, undergarments, and socks more frequently. The lower classes likely had fewer garments and laundered less often.
Clean bed linens also cut down on odors from sweat and dirt accumulation. Again, the upper class had more resources for frequent washing of sheets, blankets, and nightclothes.
Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle factors also contributed to body odors in the 1800s:
- Labor – Physical laborers sweated more leading to increased body odors.
- Diet – Spicy, aromatic, or onion/garlic heavy foods could lead to odors.
- Alcohol – Drinking alcohol led to increased sweating and related odors.
- Tobacco – Smoking tobacco also increased personal odors.
- Medications – Some medicines contained strong, lingering smells.
The wealthy who did not labor, had better diets, and could afford better hygiene had less issues with body odor. Poorer individuals or laborers likely had more odor issues from sweat, diet, alcohol, and other factors.
Cultural Attitudes
Cultural attitudes toward body odors differed in the 1800s from today. There was less emphasis on constant personal cleanliness. Body odors were more accepted, especially among the lower classes. However, there were still some social norms around minimizing odors.
Visible filth and grime was looked down upon even if smells were tolerated. Perfumes and scented products allowed even those who rarely bathed to mask their odors in social settings.
By the mid-to-late 1800s, social attitudes started to shift. As more people gained access to indoor plumbing and bathing technology, frequent washing became more expected. Advertisements started marketing products for body odors. An emphasis on good hygiene and smelling fresh emerged by the end of the century.
Gender Differences
Body odor was typically more associated with lower class men who labored and became sweaty and dirty. Women were expected to stay cleaner and use scented products. However, women also dealt with odors related to menstruation that were not fully understood at the time.
For men, body odors might even be associated with physical strength and masculinity. But for women, body odors were seen as a sign of uncleanliness and lack of femininity. This led to a gender divide around body odor that persisted well into the early 1900s.
Products and Practices
Here is a summary of some of the main products and practices used for minimizing body odors in the 1800s:
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Evolution of Hygiene Standards
Attitudes and practices around body odor and hygiene gradually evolved over the course of the 1800s:
- Early 1800s – Bathing and laundering infrequent, body odors more tolerated.
- Mid 1800s – Public baths allow more frequent bathing opportunities.
- Late 1800s – Indoor plumbing enables easier washing, attitudes start to shift.
- Late 1890s – Commercial deodorant products introduced to market.
- 1900s – Frequent bathing and washing expected, body odors less tolerated.
Conclusion
People in the 1800s dealt with body odor through occasional bathing, scented products, laundry, and greater social tolerance of smells. By the late 1800s, attitudes shifted toward a greater emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene. This paved the way for modern expectations around minimizing body odors in the 1900s once commercial deodorants became available.