Friday afternoon. You’re standing at the camp entrance, rucksack on your back, tunic freshly washed, and full of good intentions. The plan is to get through the event by Sunday in a way that’s authentic, historically accurate, and yet still reasonably socially acceptable.
Sunday lunchtime. Three battles, a thunderstorm, a spilled stew and two nights on a sleeping mat later, you smell of a mixture of campfire, wool and fate. Your fellow campers are discreetly moving away. The dog from the neighbouring camp is approaching.
Welcome to the reality of the medieval weekend.
The good news: cleanliness in camp is no contradiction to authenticity. People in the Middle Ages bathed, washed themselves, cared for their hair and maintained personal hygiene – just using different methods than shower gel and dry shampoo. And many of these methods work surprisingly well. This guide shows you what really helps: from healing clay for hair care to wood ash soap and the underrated wonder weapon that is linen underwear.
What to expect in this article
- The biggest myth in the medieval scene: “Everyone smelled like that back then”
- Hair care without a shower: healing clay, herbs and the art of dry washing
- Wood ash soap: Why the Middle Ages didn’t need shower gel
- Linen underwear: The underrated hygiene revolution of the Middle Ages
- Oral hygiene in the Middle Ages: Better than its reputation
- Personal hygiene in camp: The list of priorities
- Actively combating odours: herbs, scented oils and the trick with the linen pouch
- The complete hygiene packing list for a medieval weekend
- FAQ – Frequently asked questions about hygiene in the medieval camp
- Conclusion: Medieval hygiene is not a contradiction – it’s essential knowledge
Reading time approx. 11 mins.The biggest myth in the medieval scene: “Everyone smelled like that back then”
Let’s clear this up quickly, as it’s a persistent one: the Middle Ages were not an era of constant filth. This myth arose in the 19th century, when hygiene reforms were new and people liked to use the past as a contrast—a dirty backdrop.
Historical sources paint a more nuanced picture. Medieval towns had bathhouses – in some towns, more per inhabitant than today. Monasteries observed detailed washing rituals. Treatises on personal hygiene existed. Medicinal plants were specifically used for cleansing.
ℹ️ Info: The Middle High German term ‘bade’ encompasses the concept of the public bath – a social institution and cleansing ritual in one. Bath attendants (bader) were recognised tradespeople. Weekly bathing was not uncommon in towns.
Hair care without a shower: healing clay, herbs and the art of dry washing
Your hair is the first thing to give up after a night in camp. Greasy, smelling of smoke, somehow flat – and you have neither a power socket nor running water.
Healing clay: the medieval dry shampoo
Healing clay (Luvos or healing clay from a health food shop) is essentially the same as what medieval people used as a clay-like substance for hair cleansing: an absorbent mineral that binds grease and odours. You rub a small amount dry into the scalp, leave it to soak in briefly, then brush it out.
It works. Not quite like freshly washed hair, but good enough for three days in camp. Historically accurate, too.
Herbal rinse with cold water
If you have access to a container of water: rosemary, nettle and mint as a cold infusion (simply steep in water in the evening, strain in the morning) make a rinse that refreshes the hair and gently removes grease. Rosemary was explicitly recommended for hair care in medieval sources.
The bonnet as a secret weapon
Both historically accurate and practical: a close-fitting linen cap worn under a hood or veil keeps hair tidy, absorbs sweat and slows down oil production. If you wear the cap at night, you’ll wake up with fewer hair-styling problems.
💡 Tip: Pack two bonnets and change them daily. Air out the worn bonnet overnight. It’s cheaper than dry shampoo and will last for three weekends.
Wood ash soap: Why the Middle Ages didn’t need shower gel
Modern soap is a direct development of what was already known in the Middle Ages: lye made from wood ash, mixed with animal fat or vegetable oil. The basic principle is identical, the chemistry the same – only the packaging is missing.
What wood ash soap is and how it is made
Wood ash contains potassium carbonate – a natural lye. When water is allowed to seep through wood ash, potash lye is produced. This lye reacts with fat to form soap. This was known, it was done, it works.
Today, natural wood ash soaps are available in shops – often in the health food or natural cosmetics section. For storage: wrap up a small piece, rub it with a little water until it lathers up nicely, and you’re done.
Herbal soaps and soft soap as alternatives
Green soft soap (the traditional artisan soap) is also historically authentic and versatile: hands, hair, clothing – it works for everything. Herbal soaps with lavender or rosemary also have a pleasant scent, which never goes amiss in the camp.
ℹ️ Info: Medieval soap was more expensive than it is today – a luxury item for townspeople. In the countryside, potash lye, bran and herbs were used for cleaning. So if you take soft soap out of your own luggage at the market, you’re playing the part of a wealthy townsman or merchant.
Linen underwear: the underrated hygiene revolution of the Middle Ages
Here’s the secret that experienced campers know and beginners usually underestimate: the most important hygiene measure for a medieval weekend isn’t washing. It’s the right material.
Linen worn directly against the skin is a game-changer. And for several reasons:
Why linen makes everything better
- Moisture-wicking: Linen wicks away sweat faster than wool or cotton – up to 35% faster than cotton in studies. Dry skin smells less.
- Antibacterial: Linen naturally contains lignans and silica – both of which counteract the growth of bacteria responsible for body odour.
- Temperature regulation: It cools in summer and insulates in autumn. Just what you need for a long weekend.
- Dries quickly: Washed at night, dry by morning – that’s realistic with linen, but often not with cotton.
What you need – and what you don’t
Two linen shirts or undershirts are enough for a weekend. Wear one, keep one in the chest. Wash the worn item in the evening (with a little soap or even just water), hang it up overnight – done.
What you don’t need: synthetic sports underwear that’s invisible under the tunic. It traps heat, smells worse and is about as compatible with a medieval look as a mobile phone charger.
💡 Tip: Look for quality linen when buying. Pure linen (100% linen) can be recognised by its slight roughness – this disappears after the first wash. Linen-cotton blends are cheaper but less effective. For the camp, it’s worth investing in pure linen.
Oral hygiene in the Middle Ages: Better than its reputation
The topic everyone thinks about but no one talks about. In short: people in the Middle Ages looked after their teeth – using different methods than today, but with a genuine awareness of the issue.
Historical toothpaste alternatives
Methods used:
- Charcoal: Abrasive, cleansing, deodorising – and still used today in some natural cosmetic products
- Salt and soda: Well-known household cleaners that were also used on teeth
- Chewing fennel seeds: Freshens breath, antibacterial – and absolutely authentic on the market
- Oak bark: Described as something to chew for gum care, also by Hildegard von Bingen
The trick with the toothpick
Wooden toothpicks are well documented throughout history. A small container of wooden toothpicks in your belt pouch is not only hygienically sensible, but a nice touch that shows you take care of yourself.
And regarding the brutal pragmatism of camp life: a small tin of pumice tooth powder or simply ordinary salt will last for three days. No one at the market will notice the difference.
Personal hygiene in camp: the priority list
You can’t do everything. But you can do the right things. Here is the order that really makes a difference:
| Action | Effort | Effect | Historically? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change linen undergarments daily | Minimal (packing) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High | ✓ Yes |
| Wash hands (wood ash soap) | Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High | ✓ Yes |
| Change cap | Low | ⭐⭐⭐ Medium | ✓ Yes |
| Apply healing clay to hair | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐ Medium | ✓ Yes |
| Chewing fennel seeds | Minimal | ⭐⭐ Low–Moderate | ✓ Yes |
| Herbal mouthwash (rosemary/mint) | Medium | ⭐⭐ Low–Medium | ✓ Yes |
| Use shower gel/shampoo discreetly | Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High | ✗ No, but nobody’s watching |
For anyone who understood the “No, but nobody sees it” in the last point: we’re not saying anything here. Out-of-time hygiene pragmatism is nothing to be ashamed of. Just please transfer the shower gel into a leather flask if you must.
Actively combating odours: herbs, scented oils and the linen bag trick
Personal hygiene is one side of the coin. The other side: the camp itself smells. Campfires, wet wool, leather care, show-fight sweat – it all builds up. A few simple measures help.
Herbal sachets in your luggage
A small linen bag containing lavender, rosemary and thyme in your chest keeps clothes fresh and is absolutely historically accurate. In the Middle Ages, herbs were explicitly used to protect against vermin and to provide fragrance in chests and sleeping quarters.
Sheep’s wool and lavender
Lavender in woollen clothing: the essential oils slowly diffuse into the fabric and last for days. A drop of genuine lavender oil (not perfume oil) on a strip of linen placed in the chest – that’s it.
Taking an honest look at the campfire and its effects
We have to be honest: campfire smoke seeps into everything and lingers. No remedy in the world can permanently remove it. The best strategy is to consistently keep outer garments (tunic, surcoat) and underwear separate and to keep the bedding smoke-free – that is, in the chest, not draped over the fire.
The complete hygiene packing list for a medieval weekend
Everything you need – compact, historically accurate, fits in any chest:
- 2× linen shirts / linen undergarments (one for each day + spare)
- 2× linen bonnet (change daily)
- Small bar of wood ash soap or soft soap
- Healing clay (approx. 50g is enough for a weekend)
- Small metal comb or wooden comb
- Fennel seeds in a leather pouch (also In-Time compliant)
- Herbal sachet (lavender, rosemary, thyme) for the chest
- Small linen cloth as a washcloth
- Optional: Rosemary and mint for cold infusion
- Optional: a wooden cup as a ladle
Total weight: under 500g. Cost: under 15 euros. Impact on your fellow campers: priceless.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about hygiene at a medieval camp
Did people really wash in the Middle Ages?
Yes – more regularly and systematically than the myth suggests. Urban bathhouses were social institutions, monasteries observed detailed washing rituals, and medieval herbal treatises deal extensively with personal hygiene. The image of the perpetually dirty Middle Ages is a 19th-century myth.
Can I use deodorant at the medieval market?
Of course you can – it’s just that nobody will see it. Most experienced market-goers make a pragmatic distinction between ‘in-time’ and ‘out-of-time’ hygiene. Those who hide a roll-on in a leather pouch get by just fine. Alternatively: bicarbonate of soda or healing clay work as deodorant substitutes and are entirely historically accurate.
What is healing clay and where can I get it?
Healing clay is a fine-grained mineral (clay, usually from the Luvos site in the Eifel) that absorbs oils and odours. Available in health food shops, chemists or online – 100g is enough for a weekend and costs around 3–5 euros. Rub it into the scalp as a dry shampoo, leave it to work, then rub it out and brush it out.
Does my linen shirt have to be historically sewn?
For hygiene purposes: No. For how it looks at the market: It depends on the event. Many events allow machine-sewn underwear, provided it is worn invisibly beneath your costume. Historically hand-sewn undershirts are available from specialist retailers – they are more expensive, more durable and give you less to worry about when the cameras are rolling.
What should I do if my woollen clothes start to smell after three days?
Air it out first and foremost: wool fibres release odours surprisingly well when aired – much better than cotton. Hang the garment out in the evening and leave it to air overnight. For more stubborn odours: wring out a linen cloth with lavender water and wipe it over the garment. Washing is the last resort – wool can shrink if treated incorrectly.
How do I keep my linen underwear clean when out and about?
Hand-wash in the evening with cold water and a little soap, squeeze out (do not wring), and hang up overnight. Linen dries quickly – in 6–8 hours in warm summer weather. In damp weather: hang it up inside the tent or drape it over the chest. A second undershirt as a backup is always the safer choice.
Conclusion: Medieval hygiene is no contradiction – it’s part of the scene
Anyone who spends a weekend at camp wearing linen, knows about healing clay and has a little bag of herbs in their chest is no less authentic than anyone else. They are more authentic – because they know how their ancestors solved the problem.
The secret isn’t a secret: material over measures. You don’t sweat through linen as much. You air out wool. Healing clay keeps your hair presentable for three days. Wood ash soap cleans real hands better than a pack of wet wipes.
And if you still end up smelling a bit of campfire – no problem. That’s part of it. It always has been. Just don’t let it smell of polecat.
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