How often did people really wash their hair in, say, Victorian times? Here are the answers and quotes from the nineteen century books.
Hurray, there is an indication, a proof in the old book. For instance, 'Hints on Health' published in 1852, says that washing “once a week could scarcely be deemed too troublesome” (pg. 121).
Hurray, there is an indication, a proof in the old book. For instance, 'Hints on Health' published in 1852, says that washing “once a week could scarcely be deemed too troublesome” (pg. 121).
Wealthy people washed their hair more often (having to go out and appear more beautiful).
There are more books and more quotes to show what people washed with.
"Many heads of hair require nothing more in the way of wash than soap and water” – pg. 317, Decorum (published 1879).
“To cleanse the hair, there is nothing better than soap and water . . . the soap, of course, should be mild, and well and plentifully rubbed in, and afterwards thoroughly removed with an abundance of water” – pg. 121, Hints on Health(published 1852).
“Vinegar and water form a good wash for the roots of the hair” – pg. 316, Decorum (published 1879).
“Any preparation of rosemary forms an agreeable and highly cleansing wash” – pg. 317, Decorum (1879).
“New England rum, constantly used to wash the hair, keeps it very clean, and free from disease, and promotes its growth a great deal more than Macassar oil. Brandy is very strengthening to the roots of the hair; but it has a hot, drying tendency, which N.E. rum has not” – pg. 12 The American Frugal Housewife (published 1833).
