At bedtime, children were required to move the pan of water to the floor to wash their feet before going to bed (inspections were sometimes held.) The water bucket was kept full by assignment of the chore to one of the boys. If it was found empty, look out! At times, a visitor might be observed holding the dipper backwards while drinking, with the idea that no one else had thought of this.

A wash pan was on the right of the bucket sometimes in a hollowed-out space on the shelf, where family and guests washed their hands before meals. Usually only lye soap was available. Men shaved near the water shelf making use of the mirror hanging on the wall near the common hand towel.