An article /u/hudibras posted has the answer In Rome, people cleaned themselves after using a public latrine with a sea sponge lashed to a stick, stored in a b

An article /u/hudibras posted has the answer In Rome, people cleaned themselves after using a public latrine with a sea sponge lashed to a stick, stored in a bucket of salt water or vinegar. It was considered polite to give the sponge a cursory rinse and a squeeze before putting it back in the bucket to get it ready for the next person. https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-did-people-use-before-toilet-paper-24419 https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-did-people-use-before-to...