Toilet paper actually had a difficult time gaining popularity, in part due to the cheap alternatives. The other part was the issue people had with discussing that taboo topic and refusing to purchase or ask for it at the store (eventually the name "tissue" or "bath tissue" helped solve this). Prior to this trash paper goods like magazines were very commonly used (pre-gloss finish) or natural items like corn cobs, hay, straw, etc. were used in Western homes. Washing in a basin, an early version of a bidet, can be found in some regions as well.