[rimtop56]

In the late 70s, when I was in college, there were a bunch of Arabs, Iranians, etc. in my college. We were all relatively friendly to each other. I don't remember how the conversation came up, but one of the Arabs told me that rather than showering with soap and water, they use oil to wash themselves. I think he meant something like baby oil, but I didn't want to get too personal by asking.

[Carolinamom]

Pardon these graphic details, but they do not use toilet paper, only water to sluice their lower parts.

[roadcat]

I don't remember how the conversation came up, but one of the Arabs told me that rather than showering with soap and water, they use oil to wash themselves. I think he meant something like baby oil, but I didn't want to get too personal by asking.

One hopes that they don't use real babies to make baby oil. But with those types, can you be sure?

[King Prout]

Purified olive oil or some other plant oil.
the technique used in ancient Rome was to work the oil into the skin, then scrape it off. It is a very effective exfoliation technique, and does remove a wide range of contaminants.
Unfortunately... plant-oils absorb into the living dermis, and there they do rot. And STINK.
There is no substitute for soap/detergent and water, applied vigorously and regularly.