when in ancient Rome..

As far as public facilities were concerned, urinal pots and public toilets served the public need. Fullers (the Roman version of a not-so-dry cleaner) would empty the urinal pots and use the ammonia-rich urine for laundering and bleaching togas and tunics! In many Roman cities there were public toilets. These rectangular shaped rooms (some seating up to 100 people) contained rows of long stone benches each with a row of keyhole-shaped openings cut into it. Water running down drains underneath the benches would flush waste away into the sewers. Sponge-sticks were used instead of toilet paper!