A viral TikTok star known for extreme money-saving hacks has left viewers both horrified and amused with her latest post featuring an ancient Roman bathroom solution that predates modern toilet paper by centuries.
Jazmine Brooke regularly captures attention with her unconventional frugality tips. She recently shared a video demonstrating what she calls “xylospongiums” – wooden sticks with natural sponges attached that her family of six allegedly uses instead of toilet paper. She keeps the devices soaking in vinegar or lemon water for disinfection.
“Instead of regular toilet paper my family of six all use xylospongiums,” Brooke explains in the video, holding up the handmade implements. “We technically have two of them that soak in vinegar since today is a special occasion though I whipped out some lemon water.”
The influencer, known for going viral with extreme cost-cutting measures, describes the process with unsettling enthusiasm. She designates one stick as the “number one” and another as “number two,” noting the visible wear on the latter. “You can tell this one’s the number two one by the way it’s been wore out like you can tell the handle has really been getting some use,” she states
The xylospongium, historically known as a tersorium or “sponge on a stick,” was indeed a fixture in ancient Roman public latrines. Archaeological evidence suggests these implements consisted of sea sponges attached to wooden sticks, though scholars debate whether they were used for personal hygiene or as toilet brushes. The devices would be cleaned in vinegar, salt water, or regular water between uses.
Brooke’s DIY version involves finding “any kind of stick” in the backyard, attaching natural sponges with what she calls “premium rope,” and storing the finished products in a bucket beside the toilet. “These were actually used in ancient Rome which is so cool so we’ve just decided to swap to that because it’s so much cheaper than toilet paper,” she explains.
The commitment to this unusual money-saving method extends beyond the home. Brooke reveals she’s crafted a “homemade holster” to transport her xylospongium when visiting public restrooms, sometimes accompanied by “on-the-go vinegar cups” stored in her purse. “I feel like all public restrooms should have one of these,” she suggests with apparent sincerity.
The video sparked thousands of comments from viewers expressing disgust and concern about hygiene. “Roman times? Girl you are going to bring another plague back into our time,” wrote one commenter, while another simply stated, “Done, I’m done with the internet and people for the day.”
Many viewers questioned the sanitary logic of having separate implements for different purposes while storing them in the same soaking solution. “Why have separate ones if they soak together???” asked one confused user, garnering thousands of likes.
However, the video contains a twist that many viewers missed by not watching it to completion. In the final moments, Brooke casually mentions, “My family uses a bidet,” revealing the entire demonstration was likely satirical commentary on extreme frugality content.
This revelation prompted a wave of follow-up comments from viewers who caught the ending. “The value of watching a video to the end,” noted one user, while another observed, “Goes to show how many people really don’t watch a video all the way through… She has a bidet.”
Brooke has previously gained attention for other extreme money-saving claims, including flushing toilets only once per week and requesting reimbursement from visitors who flush without permission. Her content typically pushes the boundaries of believable frugality, often serving as commentary on the lengths some will go to save money.