A Brief History of Bathing

What have the Romans ever done for us? Well, as it turns out, quite a lot when it comes to all things plumbing related. What we enjoy today as the comfort and hygiene of our stylish bathrooms is the culmination of thousands of years of trial and error, innovation and changes in society. The kind of bathroom that we have come to expect in our homes today is a relatively modern invention. Here we look at the humble beginnings of the all-in-one room for our ablutions:

Initially bathing was not really about cleanliness but more of a sacred act before a religious ceremony. There are early examples of steam baths in Europe and America and cold baths in Asia. Most bathing areas would have been communal and were kept separate from the main living areas so as to keep evil spirits out of the home.

Some civilizations were way ahead when it came to bathing. The first bathtub still in existence dates to nearly 2000 years B.C. It was situated in the Palace of Knossos in Crete where there was also plumbing hidden in the walls and hot running water! Why not create your own palace-worthy bathroom with Bathroom Suites NI?

It was the Greeks and Romans that brought new innovations in bathing to the rest of the world. In Greek civilizations, entire palaces have been discovered dedicated to bathing, complete with tubs and advanced drainage systems. Roman baths were commonplace, with ruins situated in England, the Middle East and North Africa. Many of the best-preserved bath ruins can be found in Pompeii and Rome.

The Romans are famed for their construction of large, purpose-built thermal baths which acted as both a means of bathing and held important social significance too. Wealthy families enjoyed their own private versions of thermal baths in what we would now call a bathroom. Most citizens relied on the public baths for cleanliness and socialising. They would most likely be quite at home in our modern bathrooms, as they enjoyed the import of ointments, mirrors, incense and combs.

When the Roman Empire collapsed, it has been suggested that hygiene provisions declined significantly. While this is true to some extent, the Middle Ages did actually see the start of soap production. Edward III even had a bathroom installed at Westminster Palace in the 1300s. Many towns had public bathhouses or a wooden tub in their bedroom for bathing. At some point during the 16th century though, water became viewed with suspicion as the carrier of disease and many turned to thick perfumes or sweat baths instead!

Between the 16th and 18th century when plague hit 7 times – the bathhouses were closed down. It could be argued that this is what paved the way for the modern, private bathroom that we enjoy today. More emphasis was placed on the safety of private bathing. Did you know that the first flushing toilet was actually invented in 1596? The first shower in 1767? It took many years for the ideas to catch on though.

During the 19th century, scientific discoveries regarding germs and the spread of disease had a major impact on people’s view of hygiene and bathing. Washing the whole body with soap became the focus of maintaining good health. The Industrial Revolution enabled bathrooms to undergo their own revolution. Hot water was available in homes and gas water heaters made it much easier for those who could afford it to enjoy a hot bath in the privacy of their own bathroom.

It wasn’t until the turn of the 20th century that homes for working class families were constructed with a room specifically for use as a bathroom. Older homes that many still resided in were often without such convenience, still using an outdoor toilet and a tub in front of the fire.

With six bathroom showrooms across Northern Ireland, BATHLINE offers recognised brands and international designs in the latest contemporary and traditional styles. We provide a complete bathroom design service, combining quality design, expert advice and exceptional customer care.