# 1723: "Ancient Roman Laundry"

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/interesting-things-with-jc-4639155/1723-ancient-roman-laundry
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/interesting-things-with-jc-4639155/1723-ancient-roman-laundry.md
Podcast: [Interesting Things with JC](https://stenobird.com/podcast/interesting-things-with-jc-4639155)
Published: 2026-07-24T07:00:26+00:00
Episode link: https://jimconnors.net/interesting-things-with-jc/2026/7/24/1723-ancient-roman-laundry
Audio file: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bba2d6fca525b3efa21591f/t/6a6296a318b11516d9b84661/1784845989793/1723+-+Interesting+Things+-+Ancient+Roman+Laundry.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/interesting-things-with-jc-4639155/episodes/1723-ancient-roman-laundry
Duration seconds: 173

## Resource

Interesting Things with JC #1723: "Ancient Roman Laundry" – Roman laundries cleaned clothing by stomping it in vats of aged urine because the ammonia removed grease and stains. Public urinals supplied the industry, and the trade became valuable enough for the Roman government to tax it before anyone understood the chemistry behind why it worked.

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