During the Victorian era, which spanned from 1837 to 1901, people typically used a variety of materials for personal hygiene, including wiping after using the toilet. Some common materials used for this purpose during the Victorian era included:
Cloth Rags: Cloth rags or fabric scraps were commonly used for personal hygiene, including wiping after using the toilet. These rags were often washed and reused multiple times before being disposed of or repurposed.
Sponges: Natural sponges were sometimes used for personal hygiene, including wiping after using the toilet. Sponges were soaked in water before use and then rinsed out and dried for reuse.
Newspaper or Scrap Paper: In some cases, scraps of newspaper or other paper materials were used for personal hygiene, although this practice was likely less common than using cloth rags or sponges.
Bidets: In wealthier households or in certain regions of Europe, bidets were sometimes used for personal hygiene. A bidet is a fixture similar to a toilet that is used for washing the genital and anal areas after using the toilet.
Water and Hand: In some cultures and regions, particularly in parts of Asia and the Middle East, water was used for personal hygiene instead of or in addition to wiping with dry materials. This practice is still common in many parts of the world today.
