Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Environment & Energy

Warpy

(114,525 posts)

1. Pee was so important in the ancient world that Rome levied a tax on it.

Reply to OKIsItJustMe (Original post)

Sun Mar 8, 2015, 07:39 PM

Mar 2015

Laundries/fullers used fully ripened urine to remove grease stains from clothing and linens, the high ammonia content being a potent degreaser before soap was invented. It was also an important part of the dyeing industry and absolutely essential to indigo dyeing.

That it will likely be a great resource in the modern world as the oil finally runs out or the Middle East becomes unreachable due to war is no surprise. There's always been a use for it.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

3 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

'Pee-power' to light camps in disaster zones [View all] OKIsItJustMe Mar 2015 OP

Pee was so important in the ancient world that Rome levied a tax on it. Warpy Mar 2015 #1

And to think all this time I've been throwing it out, I'm gonna start saving it in jars now. n/t PoliticAverse Mar 2015 #2

You might consider using it as fertilizer OKIsItJustMe Mar 2015 #3