13 Everyday Habits That Were Totally Normal 100 Years Ago (But Seem Crazy Now)
A century ago, people had some wild daily habits that made total sense back then—and now feel like something out of a weird time-travel movie.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Life in the 1920s looked very different from today, and the everyday routines prove it. From how people bathed to what they fed their kids, some of these habits will have you blinking twice. They were normal then, but now? Let’s just say we’ve come a long way.
1. Bathing Once a Week
Győző József on Wikimedia Commons
Many homes didn’t have indoor plumbing, so heating water was a chore. Baths were often scheduled weekly, usually on Saturday night. Entire families used the same water, one after another. Daily showers were unheard of in most households.
2. Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda or Charcoal
Mr.Nostalgic on Wikimedia Commons
Toothpaste was not widely available or affordable for everyone. People used baking soda, charcoal, or salt as scrubbing agents. These cleaned teeth but didn’t freshen breath or prevent decay very well. Dental care was basic and often skipped altogether.
3. Drinking Coca-Cola for a Headache
Shimer College on Wikimedia Commons
Coca-Cola originally contained coca leaf extract, which included cocaine. It was sold in drugstores as a remedy for headaches, fatigue, and low mood. It was considered both a medicine and a refreshment. Regulations later removed the cocaine and shifted it into a soft drink.
4. Letting Kids Play with Mercury
Franz van Duns on Wikimedia Commons
Mercury was handled casually and treated like a science toy. Children played with it in their hands or used it in classroom experiments. Its toxic effects were unknown or ignored. It took decades before handling mercury was seen as dangerous.
5. Using Radium in Products
James St. John on Wikimedia Commons
Radium was added to face creams, drinks, toothpaste, and health tonics. It was marketed as a miracle energy source with rejuvenating powers. People used radioactive products daily without knowing the risks. Long-term exposure led to serious illnesses and death.
6. Wearing Corsets Every Day
Esmé Collings on Wikimedia Commons
Corsets were worn under everyday clothing to shape the waist and posture. Tight lacing compressed internal organs and restricted breathing. Women accepted discomfort as part of looking fashionable. Doctors eventually warned against the health effects.
7. Sending Kids to Buy Cigarettes
AnonymousEditor95 on Wikimedia Commons
Children were often sent to corner stores with notes and cash to buy tobacco. No ID checks were required, and shopkeepers rarely questioned it. Cigarettes were considered an ordinary household item. Smoking was common among adults and widely accepted.
8. Using Arsenic to Whiten Skin
Walkerma on Wikimedia Commons
Arsenic-based products were sold as beauty enhancers for a pale complexion. Pills, soaps, and tonics promised to improve skin tone. The toxic effects were either unknown or ignored for the sake of fashion. Long-term use caused organ damage and death.
9. Ice Delivery Instead of a Fridge
Slowking4 on Wikimedia Commons
Before electric refrigerators, homes used iceboxes to keep food cool. Large blocks of ice were delivered and placed inside the box. Melting ice had to be drained or replaced regularly. Meals were planned around how long food could stay fresh.
10. Dousing Wounds with Whiskey
Indrajit Das on Wikimedia Commons
Alcohol was used to disinfect cuts, soothe toothaches, and numb pain. Whiskey was poured directly onto wounds or taken as a painkiller. It was a common household remedy. Medical supplies were limited, so alcohol was a go-to option.
11. Sleeping in Separate Beds
Carol M. Highsmith on Wikimedia Commons
Some couples chose twin beds for reasons like modesty, health, or sleep comfort. This was especially common in middle and upper-class homes. Beds were often placed in the same room but spaced apart. Shared beds became more standard in later decades.
12. Using Newspapers for Toilet Paper
Jack Weir on Wikimedia Commons
Toilet paper was not available in every home, especially in rural areas. People used newspapers, catalog pages, or other scraps of paper. Outhouses often had a stack of printed material nearby. It was a practical and low-cost solution.
13. Smoking in Public Places
René Burri on Wikimedia Commons
Smoking was allowed in restaurants, planes, hospitals, and offices. Ashtrays were placed on every table and desk. Cigarettes were seen as a normal part of adult life. Health warnings and bans came much later.