Early Medieval500–1066
High Medieval1050–1250
Late Medieval1250–1500
Market-Medieval / Larptimeless
What is a Viking hygiene kit?
A Viking hygiene kit – also known as a toilet set or hygiene pendant set – is a combination of small personal care tools that were carried as everyday items during the Viking Age. Typically, such a set consisted of three parts: an ear spoon for cleaning the ears, tweezers for personal care and craftwork, and a small awl for cleaning nails.
What makes them special is that these items were not simply stowed away in a pouch, but worn as pendants on a rod chain – attached to the shell brooches of women’s traditional dress. The hygiene kit was thus both a practical tool and a visible accessory and status symbol at the same time. Archaeological finds attest to the widespread use of these sets throughout Scandinavia – from Birka in Sweden via the island of Gotland to Öland and Finland. The items we offer are replicas of these historical originals, crafted from high-quality bronze.
Historical Background: Vikings and Hygiene
The image of the dirty Middle Ages is a persistent myth. Historical sources and archaeological finds paint a very different picture – particularly for the Viking Age. Bathhouses were widespread in early medieval Europe, and personal hygiene had a firm place in everyday life. This is particularly well documented for the Vikings: contemporary English sources – such as reports from the 10th century – noted with some surprise that the Nordic traders and warriors bathed weekly and regularly used combs and mirrors, which was considered unusual.
The fact that hygiene items were worn on brooches as part of women’s attire underscores the social significance of cleanliness and grooming. Hygiene was not a purely private matter – it was visible, social and part of one’s identity. Men, too, carried combs and grooming tools with them, as numerous grave finds attest. Female hygiene in the Early Middle Ages was no less meticulous: written sources and grave goods point to the use of herbs, lye and grooming tools specifically intended for daily personal hygiene.
Archaeological sites: Birka, Gotland and Öland
Birka (Sweden)
Birka was Scandinavia’s most important trading centre during the Viking Age. Numerous hygiene tools were found in the city’s burial grounds – including ear spoons, tweezers and awls, some of which were found as sets on rod chains. The finds from Birka form the basis for some of the most detailed replicas used in re-enactments today.
Gotland (Sweden)
The prosperous island of Gotland is renowned for its wealth of metal finds from the Viking Age. Ear spoons featuring a characteristic braided pattern originate from this region and bear witness to meticulous craftsmanship. Finds from Gotland are among the best-preserved examples of hygiene sets used as both jewellery and everyday objects.
Öland and Finland
Evidence of hygiene sets as part of traditional dress also comes from the Swedish island of Öland and Finnish sites. A four-part rod chain based on a find from Finland is a particularly vivid example: it connects the individual pendants into a complete set and served as jewellery at the same time. This diversity of finds demonstrates how widespread hygiene sets were throughout the entire Viking Age cultural zone.
The individual utensils in detail
| Utensil | Function | Material / Special feature |
|---|---|---|
| Ear spoon | Cleaning the ear canal; the small scoop is gently inserted into the ear | Bronze or brass; known since ancient times; some with braided cord decoration |
| Tweezers | Personal hygiene (removing hair, splinters), also used for thread when sewing | Bronze; spring-loaded construction; fine gripping tips |
| Awl / nail cleaner | Cleaning under fingernails; not to be confused with larger thimbles | Bronze; small, pointed instrument; lightweight |
| Chain | Connecting element for all pendants; attached to shell brooches on women’s traditional dress | Bronze; four-linked, based on a find from Finland; also serves as jewellery |
Viking hygiene utensils in reenactment: What goes with what?
A single ear spoon or nail cleaner as the first accessory to complement your existing Viking costume. Ideal for adding an authentic detail to your costume without having to purchase a complete set straight away. Also well-suited as a gift for reenactment beginners.
Ear spoons, tweezers and nail cleaners as individually combinable items – suitable for both men’s and women’s Viking clothing. Combining these three items provides a complete hygiene set for the market or the reenactment camp. Recommended for anyone wishing to build up their set gradually.
The complete Viking hygiene set with rod chain based on historical finds from Birka and Öland – to be attached historically correctly to the shell brooches of Viking attire. For early medieval reenactment (9th–11th centuries), sophisticated market attire and anyone who values maximum authenticity. Combines well with other Viking jewellery and brooches.
Material and care: Bronze in everyday life
Bronze – an alloy of copper and tin – is the historically accurate material for Viking-era hygiene tools and was already used in antiquity for personal care items. Bronze is durable, easy to work with and develops a characteristic patina over time, giving the piece a natural aged look. Silver-plated versions are also historically documented and have been found in wealthier burial contexts.
To care for your hygiene cutlery: store in a dry place and wipe occasionally with a soft cloth. You can preserve the patina that forms – it emphasises the antique character – or remove it with a mild polish if you prefer the fresh bronze sheen. The weight and feel of bronze make the difference from modern plastic products immediately apparent and contribute significantly to the authenticity. Those who wish to assemble their entire camp kit from matching materials will also find suitable medieval comb accessories and medieval accessories in the shop.
Good to know: Frequently asked questions about hygiene cutlery
Ear spoons are known worldwide; today they are particularly widespread in East Asia – in Japan, Korea and China, they form part of the standard personal hygiene routine. Historically, however, they were in use across many cultures: in ancient Rome, during the Viking Age, in medieval Europe and in the Islamic world. Archaeological finds from Birka and Gotland show that the ear spoon was an everyday item in early medieval Scandinavia.
From a medical perspective, ear, nose and throat specialists today generally recommend careful rinsing with lukewarm water or special ear-cleaning solutions, as improper use of ear spoons can irritate the eardrum. Historically, the ear spoon was the method of choice – it allowed for targeted cleaning without water and was easy to carry. For re-enactment, it is an authentic accessory; its actual use for ear cleaning should be carried out with care and expertise.
The notion of an unhygienic Middle Ages is a modern prejudice. Bathhouses were widespread in medieval towns and an important part of social life. People used lye (a kind of early soap), herbs and grooming tools for personal hygiene. The Church promoted cleanliness as part of a virtuous life. The Vikings in particular were regarded by contemporary observers as especially clean – a weekly bath was a matter of course for them.
Evidence from written sources and grave finds shows that women in the Early Middle Ages actively practised personal hygiene. Herbs such as yarrow and wormwood were used for cleansing purposes, and lye and oils were known. Grave goods – including tweezers, combs and needle cases – suggest that personal and hair care were an integral part of women’s daily lives. The hygiene kit worn publicly on the brooch is a sign that cleanliness was openly communicated and valued in Viking-era society.
Public and private bathhouses were used for washing the body, often heated by fireplaces. For personal hygiene, cloth or moss rags, water and herbal remedies were used. Although towns had no modern sewage systems, flowing water and wells allowed for regular washing. In rural areas, river bathing or heated bathhouses (similar to the Scandinavian sauna principle) were common – a custom that was particularly prevalent among the Vikings.
Whether you’re looking for a single item to complement your Viking attire or a complete hygiene set based on historical finds – browse through our range and find the right hygiene kit for your next re-enactment or medieval market.
Frequently asked questions
A typical Viking hygiene set consists of three parts: an ear spoon for cleaning the ears, tweezers for personal hygiene and crafts, and a small awl for cleaning nails. A chain serves as the connecting element, to which all three pendants are attached. Historically, the set was worn on the shell brooches of women’s attire.
The best-known sites are Birka in Sweden (9th–10th century), the island of Gotland with its characteristic ear spoons featuring a braided cord pattern, and the island of Öland. Important finds have also been made in Finland, including a four-link chain that serves as a model for replicas. The finds demonstrate the widespread distribution of these sets throughout the Viking Age cultural zone.
The replicas are particularly suitable for early medieval re-enactments of the 9th to 11th centuries, i.e. the classic Viking Age. They are ideal for Viking markets, re-enactment camps and LARP events with a Nordic theme. Combined with shell brooches and other Viking women’s attire, they create a historically accurate overall look.
The replicas are made of bronze – a copper-tin alloy – the historically accurate material for Viking-era hygiene tools. Some silver-plated versions are also available, which are likewise historically documented. To care for them, simply store the items in a dry place and wipe them occasionally with a soft cloth. The resulting patina can be preserved or removed with a mild polish.
Our range includes both individual items – ear spoons, nail cleaners and tweezers are available separately – as well as complete sets with a rod chain. This allows you to build up your hygiene set gradually or to add specific items to an existing rod chain. Individual items start from around €10, whilst complete sets with a rod chain cost up to around €60.
Discover related categories
Viking brooches & chains
Viking beard & hair jewellery
Viking jewellery
Viking earrings
Medieval spectacles
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