When you think of cowboys, you probably picture tall-in-the-saddle heroes with spotless hats and a Hollywood shine. The truth? Cowboys on the trail were dirty, dusty, and often downright smelly.
In this episode of Way Out West, we’re pulling back the curtain on the gritty reality of cowboy hygiene. From “dry baths” with sand and sulfur matches used as deodorant, to wild rags that doubled as dish towels and bandages, cowboys had to get creative just to stay alive and halfway clean.
You’ll hear how cowboys brushed their teeth with willow twigs, why Saturday night in town often meant a trip to the bathhouse before the saloon, and how Hollywood got it all wrong when it came to cowboy cleanliness. Along the way, we’ll share a few laugh-out-loud remedies, surprising superstitions, and the clever ways working hands made do on the trail.
It wasn’t glamorous — but it was real. And it’s one more reason why cowboy grit and resilience remain legendary today.
As mentioned in this episode: Cowboy Gear: What is a Wild Rag
For show notes, visit WayOutWestPod.com/Cowboy-hygiene
Transcript: For a full transcript of this episode, click on "Transcript"
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