Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New Bathroom App May Very Well CHANGE YOUR LIFE
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 8, 2011
Modified Sep 8, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 8, 2011
Modified Sep 8, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Let's say you're visiting the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and suddenly realize that you really have to go to the bathroom. The closest public toilets in the area are at the discount department store Century21...but the lines are out the door. What do you do? A new phone app which pairs up pee-ers in need with strangers' toilets may be the perfect solution.
The smart phone app, CLOO, is based on what we'd call a revolutionary idea: what if there were a social network for going to the bathroom? "CLOO' turns any private bathroom into a public bathroom accessible to your friends & friends of friends using your social media connections," the company explains on their website.
The program finds potential loo's through your friends on Facebook, Foursquare, and Twitter. You then send a toilet request and the person decides whether or not to rent out their bathroom to you for a (small) fee. As long as no one steals your toilet, we think the idea sounds keen! Check out a demo of the program below:
CLOO' from Hillary Young on Vimeo.
So far, many people are skeptical about the idea, if not downright indignant at the mere suggestion: "Why would you want a complete stranger in your house? There are plenty of places to use the bathroom. Go to a restaurant, buy a cup of coffee, and use the bathroom there," Connecticut resident Amy Mass told the News. But we're just wondering if this is secretly the straight version of the gay hookup Grindr app we keep hearing is in the pipeline.
Tagged
App
bathroom
community
there's an app for that
toilet
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
Stargazers will have a great view of Saturn and two meteor showers in October.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
News
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
By
Ryan Kost
DOC negligence factored in death at Rikers' Bellevue hospital outpost, jail officials say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Conductor on NYC subway that dragged man to death may have skipped safety check, source says
By
Stephen Nessen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .