Why It’s Called Eau de Toilette — A Deeper Look

The literal translation, but not what you think

The French phrase eau de toilette literally translates to “water of the toilette.” At first glance, English speakers, especially modern ones, might misinterpret “toilette” as “toilet,” meaning the fixture in a bathroom. That is misleading. In French, historically and culturally, toilette referred to the process of washing, dressing, grooming, a routine of personal preparation.

So the term has nothing to do with the modern “toilet bowl” or lavatory, a common misunderstanding.

From scented waters and medicinal waters — the early ancestors of EDT

To understand why the term stuck, it's helpful to go back many centuries into the history of perfumery. In medieval and early‑modern Europe, scented waters, herbal or floral infusions sometimes mixed with alcohol, were used not only to perfume the body or clothes, but also often believed to have medicinal or hygienic properties. 

One of the earliest recognized examples is what came to be called Hungary Water, a herbal/alcoholic mixture reportedly created in the 14th century for a royal figure (often credited to a Hungarian queen). This “toilet water” was used to scent skin after bathing or during grooming routines, combining hygiene (or at least freshness) with fragrance. 

Over time, these scented waters were valued for their refreshing, antiseptic (?) or mood‑uplifting qualities. Especially in eras before modern plumbing, bathing, and hygiene were luxuries, aromatic waters provided a way to maintain a sense of cleanliness, especially for social occasions.

In other periods, for example, during plagues, so‑called “plague waters” were concocted: scented or herbal solutions believed (often incorrectly) to ward off disease or “bad air.”

So early “toilet waters” were at the intersection of hygiene, fragrance, health beliefs, and social rituals.

Evolution of the term “toilette”, from grooming to lavatory

The word toilette itself comes from old French toile (cloth) — originally meaning a cloth used during grooming, or a cloth bag for clothes. Over time, toilette came to denote “dressing", “washing and grooming,” or “the act of preparing oneself.” 

In the 17th–19th centuries, “faire sa toilette” meant to wash yourself, dress, and groom, the complete morning routine. That context made “eau de toilette” naturally understood as “water for the dressing/grooming routine.” 

Only later, especially as indoor plumbing and lavatories became common, did “toilette” (and later “toilet” in English) shift meaning toward “bathroom/toilet bowl/lavatory.” That linguistic shift caused much of the modern confusion when people hear “toilet water.”

Why “water” — the nature of early fragrances

Originally, the fragrant mixtures weren’t heavy perfumes with thick essential oils; they were waters, light, alcohol‑ or herb‑based solutions. Heavy perfumes were expensive and often reserved for the elite. Scented waters, on the other hand, were more accessible, easier to produce, and suitable for everyday use, especially as part of bathing or grooming.

Because they were mostly water (or water + alcohol), with a small percentage of aromatic extracts, the name “water of the toilette” made literal sense.

Thus, the “water” in eau de toilette isn’t a lyrical flourish: it describes the nature of the product, a lighter, diluted scented water rather than a heavy perfume extract.

Formalizing the difference, EDT as a category in modern perfumery

With the rise of perfumery houses, especially in the 18th–20th centuries, fragrances began to be formally categorized by their concentration of aromatic oils. The lighter scented waters, historically used in grooming, evolved into what we now call Eau de Toilette (EDT); heavier, more concentrated forms became Eau de Parfum (EDP) or perfume “extracts.”

Typically, EDT contains about 5–15% fragrance oils, diluted in alcohol and water.

Because of this lower concentration, EDT gives a lighter, subtler scent, ideal for everyday wear, for layering, or for warmer weather, compared to stronger perfumes designed for evening or special occasions.

Hence, the naming “Eau de Toilette” continued to make sense: it remained a “grooming water,” a lighter scented water used to complement daily toilette (grooming, dressing).

Cultural & Social Significance Over Time

Understanding why we still call it “Eau de Toilette” requires appreciating the cultural and social evolution of grooming and fragrance usage:

• Daily grooming rituals: In earlier centuries, grooming was often a ritual, not just hygiene; bathing, dressing, and perfuming were part of social readiness. Using a light-scented water as one’s final touch was considered part of the toilette routine.

• Accessibility: As heavier perfumes were expensive, scented waters offered an affordable way for more people (not just the aristocracy) to add a pleasant aroma to their skin or clothes.

• Hygiene, health, symbolism: In times when bathing was rare, or perfumes had purported medicinal benefits, scented waters served a dual role, cleanliness/freshness and social respectability.

• Modern perfumery & marketing: When perfumers formalized concentration levels, “Eau de Toilette” naturally became the label for the lighter, everyday fragrances, carrying both functional and historical resonance.

So the term isn’t merely a label; it carries centuries of grooming traditions, social practices, and linguistic evolution.

Why the Name Matters Today — What “Eau de Toilette” Still Implies

Even today, when you see “Eau de Toilette” on a perfume bottle, the name continues to convey certain implications:

• Lightness & freshness: Because of its origins as a diluted aromatic water, EDT suggests a lighter, fresher scent — suitable for daytime, casual wear, work, summer, or layering.

• Accessibility: EDT often costs less than heavier perfumes (since less aromatic oil is used), making it more affordable and suitable for everyday use.

• Ease of use: The term reminds users that EDT was historically part of one’s grooming — to be applied after showering, dressing, or before going out; it’s not a heavy “special occasion perfume.”

• Perfume etiquette & layering: Many people nowadays use EDT to create an overall fragrance profile: perhaps a light EDT in the morning, and a stronger perfume or cologne later, echoing old practices of daily toilette plus occasional formal fragrance.

Understanding the lineage behind the name gives you a richer appreciation of what EDT is, not just chemically, but culturally.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Name — A Legacy of Grooming

The question “why is it called Eau de Toilette?” might seem trivial once you know the literal translation, but the answer reveals centuries of fragrance history, social practice, and linguistic shift. What began as simple scented waters used in grooming rituals evolved into a globally recognized fragrance category, carrying with it notions of lightness, freshness, daily grooming, accessibility, and subtle elegance.

When you spritz a bottle of Eau de Toilette today, on your skin or clothes, you’re not just wearing a scent. You’re partaking in a tradition: a dressing‑ritual that dates back to medieval Europe, refined through royal courts, popularized through perfumery, and democratized for everyday wear.

At Londonmusk, we believe in celebrating that legacy, choosing scents not just for their immediate aroma, but for the heritage they carry, and for how they complement your everyday rituals.