Fullo

Have you ever wondered how people cleaned their clothes a super long time ago, before washing machines? In ancient Rome, there were special workers called 'fullones,' or fullers. They were like the super-cleaners of their day! They worked in buildings called 'fullonicae,' which were basically ancient laundromats. These fullers had a very important job: making clothes fresh and clean for everyone.

So, how did they clean clothes? It was a bit messy and even a little smelly! Fullers would stomp on the clothes in big tubs filled with water and something called 'fuller's earth.' This earth was like a super-powered soap!

Sometimes, they even used a very surprising ingredient – pee! Yes, pee was used because it has ammonia, which helps break down dirt and grease. After cleaning, they would stretch the clothes out to dry.

Fullers worked all over the Roman Empire, from Italy to other faraway places. Some of the most famous fulleries, the places where they worked, have been found in cities like Pompeii and Ostia. Pompeii was buried by a volcano, so it's like a time capsule! These ancient workshops show us exactly how these laundry experts did their jobs. Imagine a whole building just for washing clothes!

Even though their job might sound a little strange to us today, fullers were really important to Roman society. Clean clothes made people feel good and look good. They cleaned everything from togas to tunics. Without fullers, everyone would be wearing dirty, smelly clothes! They helped keep the Roman world looking its best, one clean garment at a time.