The Hygiene Secrets of the Vikings — And How You Can Scam Them Too.

When we think of "Viking," the mind is able to envision hulking warriors, longships, and bloody battles. Popular culture has taught us that they were hard, wild, and, let's be real, grimy. But the past presents a rather different image—one which might shock you.

The truth is, Vikings were surprisingly clean and deeply invested in personal hygiene. In fact, compared to many of their contemporaries in medieval Europe, they were pioneers in grooming, bathing, and even skincare. So if you’re looking for a more natural, historically rooted way to care for your body, the Vikings might just be your unlikely role models.

In this post, we will write about the fascinating Norse hygiene rituals and how you can incorporate their ancient ways into your modern routine.

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1. Vikings Bathed—A Lot

Many far from the dirty savages of legend, Vikings actually bathed at least once a week, which was very high for early medieval years. This is even attested to by the Anglo-Saxons, who mocked the Vikings not for being dirty, but for being too clean and handsome, saying they used cleanliness as a way of seducing English women!

 Modern Takeaway: Make Bathing a Ritual

You might not have an accessible fjord or natural hot spring, but you can turn your weekly bath time into a ritual of self-indulgence. Use bath salts that are natural, herbs like thyme or lavender, and take the time to really unplug. Think of it not just as washing the body, but also cleansing the mind, just as the Vikings used to do, when they both used it as spiritual and social ritual.

2. Saturday Was for Bathing

Old Norse called Saturday "Laugardagur," or literally "washing day." This reveals that bathing was not only necessary but also a religious component of weekly routine of life. They made use of hot water and often bathed in hot springs when available.

Modern Takeaway: Reclaim Saturday as Your Spa Day

Take a day a week off for relaxation and hygiene. Use a natural clay mask, exfoliate your skin, condition your hair, and have a long shower or bath. Don't refer to it as vanity—call it maintenance. And that's exactly what the Vikings did.

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3. The Vikings Had Grooming Kits

Archaeological excavations of Viking settlements have revealed grooming kits of individuals that included combs, tweezers, razors, and even ear picks. They were made of bone, antler, or metal and kept in small pouches or on belts daily.

Combs were important—not just for looks, but also for lice removal. Beards and long locks were the "in" thing, but groomed. 

Modern Takeaway: Curate Your Own Natural Grooming Kit

Go back to basics. Spend money on:

• A decent quality wooden comb (less static, more gentle on scalp)

• Tweezers of stainless steel or bamboo

• Natural razors (if you shave)

• A re-useable ear cleaner (don't use cotton buds!)

• Beard or hair oil (coconut or argan oil is a decent option)

By using simple tools, you reduce waste and gain access to a more conscious, hands-on method of caring for your body—just like the Vikings did.

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4. Hair and Beard Care Was Important

Both Norse women and men wore hair of considerable length and cleanliness. Men would usually shave or trim their beards, cutting them and sometimes plaiting them. Women tended to have their hair in long braids or buns, which were often covered with linen or wool hats.

Even in Viking poems (such as in the Poetic Edda) one can encounter mentions of washing hands, brushing hair, and being neat as a part of being a respectable person.

 Modern Takeaway: Give Your Hair Some Respect

Use natural shampoo bars, reduce over-washing (2–3 times weekly is enough), and treat your scalp and ends to natural oils. Learn simple braiding practices or tie your tresses with cloth in place of elastic to reduce breakage. Men can experiment with beard styling practices based on Norse traditions. Hair care is not skin-deep—it's ritual.

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5. Clothing Were Washed Often

Vikings were meticulous about washing their garments. They bathed and washed clothes in lye, which is a very alkaline soap made from water and ashes. They dried clothes in the sun outside as well, which is a natural sanitizing agent for garments.

Contemporary Takeaway: Practice Natural Laundry Techniques

Try soap nuts, Castile soap, or eco-friendly laundry detergent that won't harm the environment. Sun your clothes when you are able to—natural bleach and sanitizer. As the Vikings improvised with what was around them, so can you wash clothes without modern chemical excess.

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6. Vikings Smelled Nice

Yes, we said it right. Herbs, resin, and even perfumes were used by the Vikings to mask body odor. Angelica, thyme, and juniper were few of the herbs that were used as perfume for body or incense in homes. These natural deodorants made individuals and areas fresh and odor-free. 

Modern Takeaway: DIY Viking-Inspired Fragrances

Make your own homemade natural deodorant or body spray using essential oils:

• Combine coconut oil, baking soda, and shea butter with lavender or tea tree oil to make a calming deodorant.

• Create an herbal spritz with witch hazel, water, and rosemary or cedarwood oil.

These chemical-free replacements not only tie you in with Viking tradition but also enable your body to breathe and aren't pore-clogging like chemical deodorants.

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7. Cleaning Teeth? Yes, Even That

While there isn't much archaeological evidence of Viking toothbrushes, bone analyses show that Viking teeth were relatively healthy relative to the era. The reason behind this is speculated to be low sugar intake and masticating fibrous foods that cleaned teeth naturally. They might have also used chewed cloths or sticks to orally clean themselves, based on some sources.

Modern Takeaway: Natural Oral Care

Use a bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste made from natural clay/oil (e.g., peppermint and charcoal). Oil pull (swish coconut oil 10-15 minutes) to reduce bacteria. Crunchy vegetables and fruits (e.g., apples and carrots) will naturally clean your teeth—like Viking chewing fibrous food.

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8. Skin and Scar Care

Vikings lived hard lives, and with combat and sea travel came wounds. They used herbal poultices and salves made from animal fat to seal up wounds and hydrate skin. Birch sap, honey, and moss were used as medicinals because they are antimicrobial.

Modern Day Takeaway: Keep It Simple, Skincare

Use facial products with ingredients that may be recognizable to your Viking ancestors: honey, oats, clay, and herbs. Mix a simple face mask from:

• 1 tsp honey

• 1 tsp yogurt

• A pinch of turmeric

They work together to calm, clean, and brighten the skin naturally.

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9. Community and Social Hygiene

Everyone's home was not where hygiene was at in Viking times. Bathing houses, springs, and group grooming were part of community culture. Cleanliness was beauty, honor, and vigor.

Modern Takeaway: Hygiene as Self-Respect and Connection

Treat your hygiene routine as something more than bodily upkeep. It's a show of respect for the self and others. Take a friend out for a spa, share your favorite herbal teas, or swap natural care tips—just like the Viking women and men did at community gathering places.

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Final Thoughts: The Wisdom of the Norse

Far from being dirty, the Vikings were clean, intentional, and resourceful with their hygiene practices. They blended practicality with nature and treated cleanliness not as vanity but as a pillar of honor.

By borrowing from their ancient practices, you’re not just embracing natural living—you’re connecting with a legacy of resilience and self-respect.

So the next time you have a candle lit and a hot bath, don't label yourself as indulgent. You're actually testing your inner Viking.

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How to Try It Out?

Here's a 3-day Viking Hygiene Challenge:

Day 1: Hair & Skin

• Wash hair with natural products

• Cleanse with a honey + clay face mask

• Use a wooden or bone comb

Day 2: Grooming Tools

• Create a mini grooming kit

• clean your nails and tri your eyebrows

• try natural deodorant

Day 3: Viking Bath Ritual

• Take a bath or hot shower with herbs

• Light a candle and listen to Norse music

• Unwind and think about your week

Let me know in the comments if you do it—and what Viking practice you're clinging to in your contemporary life!