For a more serious description of the subject please refer to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidet
Since Italy is a place where there is a bidet in every bathroom (and sometimes more than one!) it has sparked my warped imagination, as well as the warped imaginations of other expats to speculate about all the various ways we can put these bidets to use.
Even the men enter into this discussion so we are amassing a pretty good variety of ideas. So here goes.
1. Foot washing
This is actually one of the "legitimate" uses of a bidet, though less common that it's original intended purpose. The kind with a drain plug works best so you can fill with nice warm water, put in some scented foot soaking stuff, and there you have a nice relaxing way to give your self a foot bath. Your toilet should be located close enough you can sit on the lid and put your feet in the bidet, but if not, drag a chair into the bathroom and get comfortable.
2. Leg shaving station
This works pretty good too. Fill with hot water, perch your foot on the rim and shave away. You have a way to wash off the razor as you go and do a quick rinse of the legs. Works better for the lower leg than the upper, but with a little experimentation, I will keep most of the water off the floor and in the bowl.
3. Flower soaking station
Johnnie actually discovered this use when he bought a dozen long stem roses to take to our hostess at a dinner party we attended this week. He needed a place to put the flowers and keep them fresh. What a great idea!
4. Plant watering station
My girlfriend suggested this one. Fill bowl with cool water and place your plants that need to be bottom-watered (no pun intended)
5. Planter
This one I have heard many times. Fill with dirt and plant flowers or greenery. Every bathroom can use live plants and they will love the humidity and help to freshen the air. The main issue I see is to be sure and line the bowl with plastic so you don't clog the plumbing with dirt when you leave and have to remove your plants for the next occupant.
This is actually a nice idea for homes that have many bidets -- how many does a person need? -- so leave one for foot washing/leg shaving/plant watering, and turn another into a planter. I like it!
6. Water feature
Get a water pump, fill the bowl and let the fountain burble! Many possibly ways to decorate around your water feature, seasonally appropriate themes or the ever-popular Beach-Tropical Island theme. Especially if we could find a battery operated pump so you don't have an ugly cord strung around your bathroom. Add goldfish, water lilies, rubber duckies, etc.
7. Cat watering hole
Ah, too bad we left our cats in KS. They would absolutely love the idea of their very own, very large water bowl. Now if you combine this idea with #6 above, then they would be beyond ecstatic for their own burbling cat fountain, especially if you stock it with goldfish to play with!
8. Overflow cooler for your drinks at the next party
Fill with ice and drinks. No worry about having to empty water from the cooler as the ice melts.
9. Fruit washing
Take your fruit (or vegetables), rinse, drain. You can even perch a colander across the rim so your produce can drain. The little bidet towels that hang prettily behind the bidet will be handy for placing under your colander as you take your produce to the kitchen sans dribbles.
10. Basin for hand washables
Nice soaking spot for your woolite type items.
Here is a bidet that is in the women's restroom at work. There is one in each stall. What boggles my mind is, there is no soap in the restroom (I take my own), no paper towels for drying your hands (everyone uses toilet paper to dry their hands - yuk), so who/when/why would anyone use a bidet? Can I visualize myself taking soap and towel into the restroom to use the bidet?
Also please notice, no toilet seat. Very common in Italian bathrooms. The rim is clean, but no seat. Hm.
Ok, now it is your turn. Please submit your ideas for 101 things to do with a bidet!
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