Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with bathrooms

Agoraphobia, schmagoraphobia.

pluckemin — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:05:14 -0800

I'm going on a road trip this summer. I have weird fears about being in the middle of nowhere. What can I expect in terms of frequency of rest stops, etc.? I'm particularly neurotic about never being too far away from a bathroom, but I also just don't like the idea of being hundreds of miles away from civilization. I think 90 percent of the battle is knowing what to expect, so I can mentally prepare myself (and the other 10 percent is resisting the urge to avoid beverages to the point where I get dehydrated).

We're going from Chicago to the Grand Canyon, traveling primarily on interstates through Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Particularly states like NE, WY, and SD I tend to think of as totally desolate (I've never been anywhere between Chicago and California), but on the other hand interstates sound nice and accommodating. So what can I expect? Will there be hundred-mile stretches with no gas stations or rest stops to be found, or is there really nowhere in this country that hasn't been blighted by civilization?

Help fix a fussy toilet...

Manhasset — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 06:00:04 -0800

I have a toilet that doesn't flush well. Can you help me fix it? My toilet fills up wih water pretty fast and most of the time functions but more often than I'd like... well, stuff just doesn't go down. However, it's not clogged.

When I hold the handle down for the entirety of the flush ('til all water leaves it), it generally works perfectly. However, if the handle is just pushed like a normal flush, it sorta half flushes.

I know nothing about plumbing or toilet-workings but am hoping this can be fixed by opening the back and turning or twisting some things. I've fiddled with it with zero success.

Suggestions?

Toilet Paper: Under vs. Over

otherwordlyglow — Mon, 21 May 2007 16:06:02 -0800

What are the reasons for hanging toilet paper with the paper in front versus in the back? I tend to prefer toilet paper to be loaded on the holder with the paper falling to the back, close to the wall, while my boyfriend prefers to hang it with the paper coming off the top on the side of the roll that's closest to the user. I believe it's the over vs. under debate. When I consider it, I think that hotels generally use the "over" technique so that must mean it is more common, right? I think my preference for the "under" technique has to do with the easier one-handed tear that it allows. I also like the way it looks better this way.

Seeing as we're about to move in together, it's something I'm curious about but believe me, it's no deal breaker. I'm very willing to concede the issue but I just wonder why people prefer the "over" technique. It seems like it's easier to waste tp this way, too, because the roll tends to unwind quicker.

As an aside, he also prefers the non-spring loaded spindle (the ones that have an open side to them, rather than a spring-tensioned rod) because it's easier to change the roll but I think they're also harder to use since if you tear in the direction of the opening with any degree of force (I guess I'm a vigorous tearer) you'll knock it off the spindle.

We seem also prefer our paper towels the same (me: under, him: over).

Why are bidets uncommon in the US?

arakasi — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 01:44:17 -0800

Why are bidets so uncommon in the US? No, really, why?

Best ways to eliminate bathroom odors?

MrMoonPie — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 07:57:54 -0800

We're having a houseguest for a few days. Said houseguest has a digestive problem that results in WAY-stinky bathroom visits, which embarrass her, so she relies on an aerosol air freshener after every visit. Is there a spray that we can provide that's especially effective?

Dehumidifying without electrical power?

nathan_teske — Fri, 15 Oct 2004 16:40:18 -0800

I have an extremely humid bathroom with no exhaust fan and no electrical outlets. Are there any dehumidification solutions which don't require electricity? The building I live in was built in the late '20s and no thought was given to bathroom ventillation. There's a small window but its right next to the shower, somewhere I'm not comfortable mounting a fan even if I had the electricity to do it.

Is it illegal to enter the restroom of the opposite sex?

rorycberger — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 14:03:54 -0800

So apparently it's legal to have sex in a bar bathroom in Italy, but what about the U.S.? Related question: is it illegal for a woman to go in the men's room (or vice versa)? Anybody ever gotten in trouble (beyond just embarrasment) for something like this?

Scary spiders in my bathtub

Mossy — Mon, 20 Sep 2004 02:02:11 -0800

Spiders and bathtubs. Great big hairy jumping spiders keep magically appearing in my bathtub. How do they materialise thus (given the windows are shut etc)? Spontaneous generation?