queen clothes: In ancient India, many traditional techniques and methods were used for washing and cleaning clothes. The clothes of kings, queens and emperors were often very shiny and clean, and many special methods were followed for this.
Natural alternatives to soap:
In ancient India, various natural substances were used for the use of soap. Such as sandalwood, neem, licorice and turmeric. They were used to wash and clean clothes. Neem was especially used to eliminate bacteria, keeping clothes clean and healthy.
Dung and water:
Even today, there is a tradition in villages that cow dung is used to wash clothes. Cow dung has natural disinfectant properties, which keep clothes clean and sound-free.
Drying in the sun:
In ancient times, after washing clothes, they were dried in the open sun. Not only did it dry the clothes, but the ultraviolet rays of the sun also killed bacteria, making the clothes even more hygienic.
Rice powder on clothes:
In ancient times, a process of sprinkling ara (rice flour) powder on clothes was done to maintain the shine of the clothes. This kept the clothes soft and also maintained their color.
Local herbal mixtures:
Various herbal mixtures were used in ancient Indian Ayurveda to clean and maintain the color of clothes. These included Shankhpushpi, Tulsi, and various flower petals, which naturally purified the clothes and also enhanced their fragrance.
There were many more traditional methods for cleaning and maintaining clothes in ancient India, which not only cleaned the clothes but also helped in keeping them new for a long time. Here are some more interesting methods that were used in ancient Indian society:
Forest-based methods
In ancient times, many people lived in forests or rural areas, where they used natural elements obtained from the forest. Various types of herbs, flowers, and leaves such as neem, basil, and rose were used to wash clothes and maintain their color. These not only cleaned the clothes but also maintained their fragrance.
Rubbing and washing techniques
In ancient times, there was a special method for washing clothes called “rubbing”. People would rub the clothes well before washing them in river water. This was a laborious task, but it cleaned the clothes very well. Moreover, washing clothes in fresh river water kept them moist and fresh.
Use of Salt
Another popular method of washing clothes was the use of salt. Salt was used to preserve the colour of clothes and to make them white and shiny. Salt was also used to remove stains from clothes very well.