Even though they’re mostly synonymous with Pennsylvania, the Amish may today be found in 31 U.S. states, as well as two Canadian provinces. Despite their wide geographical dispersal, however, all Amish can trace their lineage to a single religious group in Switzerland, founded in 1693 by Jakob Ammann, who gave the Amish their name.
The Amish are famous for many things, such as their decision to not use modern technology, but one thing they’re not necessarily known for is their hygiene. In fact, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding this particular aspect of Amish life, and we’re here to clear them up, as we reveal the real hygiene and health practices of people who often don’t have indoor plumbing.
[post_page_title]Indoor plumbing is prohibited for some Amish[/post_page_title]
While some Amish have completely modern plumbing, and sometimes even pampering walk-in showers, others stick to the old ways. One such group is the Swartzentruber Amish, a highly conservative sect. All Amish communities live by their Ordnung (German for “order” or “discipline”), which is the set of rules that govern all aspects of their life, big or small.
In the Swartzentruber’s case, their Ordnung expressly prohibits indoor plumbing. That means no running water in sinks or bathtubs, and yes, no toilets either. Does that mean the Swartzentruber, or other traditional sects, are all filthy? Not even a bit.
