Hygiene standards and appropriations in the consolidation of bathrooms in São Paulo dwellings (1890−1930)

ABSTRACT This paper explores the relationship between the domestic space, technologies and hygienist policies in the city of São Paulo, between the late 19th century and early 20th century. In analyzing the requests for new housing constructions in the period, we observe a rapid transformation of housing according to salubrity and cleanliness precepts, particularly the creation of a new environment in the residential program: the bathroom. Based on this observation, the article is divided into two parts: the first discusses how sanitary policies made the presence of a sanitary room mandatory in São Paulo’s houses by implementing water and sewage services for households, supported by legislation and inspection. The second examines the social appropriation of this new space, as well as of its equipment, revealing that the consolidation of the bathroom should be understood in light of changes in bodily practices linked to the ideas of hygiene, cleanliness and comfort under discussion at the time.