I recently stumbled upon the Museum of Menstruation and Women’s Health, and this 1948 Lysol ad, marketing Lysol as a douche. Yes, that Lysol; back in the day, it was disinfecting “germs and odors” in a totally different location.

The ad would have you believe that it was common for a woman to spend the evening alone while her husband spends the night out on the town without her. The missus was left at home not because it was poker night with the guys, not because he had a meeting at the Elks Lodge, but because her vagina was offensive.

According to doctors of the day, marital happiness often suffered as a result of women neglecting “intimate daintiness” and losing their “air of romance”, problems only Lysol could cure. Yes, not just a disinfectant, not just a douche, it was also a marital aid.

I don’t know, Lysol is many things but eau de spot it is not!

The ad goes on to mention other home douche preparations like salt and soda. That does not sound pleasant. When I was a kid, my mom kept a bottle of vinegar under the sink for douching. That never seemed pleasant either. We now know that douching is not so healthy, but what kinds of interesting, odd or alternative home douching preparations have you heard of or tried?

SweetTalking gals, share your stories with us in the comments, and we’ll share our SweetSpot Labs swag with you*. While you are at it, let us know what you’d like to talk about here on SweetTalk on the Spot!

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