Urine Wash

In medieval times, urine was a key ingredient for clothes washing. The ammonia in urine was believed to have natural cleaning properties and was used to break down dirt and stains in clothing. In some societies, urine was also used for tanning leather and cleaning homes. I guess pee was all the rave back then!

People would collect urine in pots or barrels and then use it to soak their clothes. The urine would typically be left to ferment for a few weeks to break down the urea and other organic compounds, which would produce ammonia. Once the urine was fermented, it was diluted with water and then used to wash clothes by hand.