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AIBU?

Overnight guests.

65 replies

Callaird · 07/06/2015 12:03

If you have visitors overnight, what do you expect from them in regards to bedding?

I mean in the spare room.

I'm house/pet sitting this weekend, have been here a few nights, I'm leaving this afternoon. I washed and pegged out the washing, the dog was barking and running away from the sheets billowing in the wind and I posted a video to Facebook.

I've been told that I shouldn't have washed the bedding, that it's rude to use the (empty) washing machine in someone else's home!

I'm living in someone else's home! Using every available facility if I need it (fridge, dishwasher, oven and bathroom) surely washing the bedding the bedding you've dirtied is a nice thing?

FWIW - if I have guests, the least I expect is for them to strip the bed and bring bedding (and towels) down and leave it by the machine. However, if they don't, I wouldn't pull them up on it!!

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Bailey101 · 07/06/2015 12:06

I wouldn't expect guests to strip their own bed - they're not lodgers, so I wouldn't want them doing housework.

If you're getting paid for pet sitting though, I wouldn't count you as a guest, more like an employee.

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Icimoi · 07/06/2015 12:07

I wouldn't expect them to wash the sheets, but I certainly wouldn't complain if they did!

If I have guests, I'm not too bothered what they do in fact - if they strip the bed I appreciate it, but I wouldn't expect them to do any more than that.

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Penfold007 · 07/06/2015 12:09

Who said you shouldn't use the machine? If you were pet sitting for me I certainly wouldn't expect you to wash the bedding etc but I'd love that you made use of a lovely day and did the laundry. I'd also be happy if you'd done your personal laundry whilst you were there.

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FarFromAnyRoad · 07/06/2015 12:10

Who told you it's rude to use the washing machine? Whoever it was book them straight onto a course where they can get their chakras realigned or something - anything that will help them not say stupid half-headed things like that.

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grabaspoon · 07/06/2015 12:11

If I stayed overnight at work [am a nanny] then I would also have put my bedding in the machine.

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CadleCrap · 07/06/2015 12:13

I don't like it when the bed is stripped as I may not be able to wash and dry the bedding

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CadleCrap · 07/06/2015 12:14

Forgot to say that I always ask the host what they would like me to do.

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sadwidow28 · 07/06/2015 12:15

I assume that it is someone on FB who has suggested that you were rude by using the washing machine. They are wrong. It was a thoughtful (but unnecessary) gesture on your part.

I actually don't expect my guests to do anything before they leave. I strip the bed and bring down towels when I am ready to wash them.

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blink1552 · 07/06/2015 12:21

I expect them to leave bedding on the bed. As a guest I tend to strip the bed. I hope the person who said you were being rude is not the one you are house sitting for!

I do think it is different if hosts are away though. If you'd actually washed the sheets while I was there I would find that odd. Leave it to the host so they can add other bits or prioritise school uniform, or whatever.

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Callaird · 07/06/2015 12:23

It was one of my friends on Facebook. Not the family I am sitting for (unpaid!).

She was the first to say 'you didn't need to wash the bedding silly, you are doing us a huge favour'.

It was other friends of mine, including some who I have overnighted with and stripped bedding, although left it in the bedroom and then asked if they wanted to put it in the machine. Maybe it's their way of letting me know that it had pissed them off!

I'm sitting around doing nothing (which lovely because I always find some cleaning/tidying to do at home) sitting in the sunshine and thought I would be a nice thing to do as it was dry in an hour!

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Callaird · 07/06/2015 12:26

I'm house sitting for ex-charge (all grown up with a family of their own) who I would class as virtually family.

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avocadotoast · 07/06/2015 12:26

If someone stayed at my house while I wasn't there I wouldn't expect them to wash the bedding. I'd expect them to leave the rest of the house as they found it though.

But I don't think you did anything wrong by using the washing machine! Confused

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PicaK · 07/06/2015 12:28

I prefer guests to leave bedding on the bed. I hate anyone foisting their view on me that my first task when they've gone is to immediately start washing and drying. I prefer to decide my own priorities. I may have other stuff that needs doing and plan to get to the spars bed in a few days.

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Fatmomma99 · 07/06/2015 12:28

I think it's a lovely, thoughtful thing to do. And I'd have been grateful if it were my spare bed.

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pennyred · 07/06/2015 12:31

I generally ask hosts what they would prefer, as I would rather guests left things alone for me to sort out in my own time. But I would also prefer people not to interfere help in my kitchen, too. Different strokes!

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Pedestriana · 07/06/2015 12:31

I think it was a very nice gesture. Unless you'd been asked specifically not to use the washing machine, then you're helping them out by getting all the bedding washed. It's not as if you went through their laundry and washed all their smalls is it? :)

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imwithspud · 07/06/2015 12:33

I wouldn't expect guests to strip and wash the bedding, but I certainly wouldn't moan if they did. I don't see how it's rude to use their washing machine? Saves me a job!

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ItsRainingInBaltimore · 07/06/2015 12:34

I would not expect them to wash the sheets but I would not be annoyed if they wanted to do it themselves.

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Callaird · 07/06/2015 12:39

That's how I saw it imwithspud

The bedding is washed and dried, I'd even iron if I had the time. I, wrongly or rightly, assume that they don't iron bedding! It saves her a job when they get back late tonight, I know they have visitors next week and they have small children and a very active dog. I
Thought I was doing something nice! Some of the comments on Facebook are just rude!!

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diddl · 07/06/2015 12:42

I think if you can get them washed, dried & folded up ready to just be put away, that's great.

I prefer stuff to be left on the bed for me to deal with in my own time, so for me stripping a bed is annoying.

All or nothing is what I prefer!

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findingmyfeet12 · 07/06/2015 12:42

I wouldn't expect guests to strip their bed.

If someone washed their bedding while I was away, as you did, I'd be really appreciative though and think it was a nice gesture. I also would have no problem with them doing their own laundry if they were staying for a few days. If I was at home too if offer to do any laundry that they needed or tell them to feel free to use the machine themselves if they preferred.

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HardcoreInternetFriend · 07/06/2015 12:44

I think in your situation, where you are house sitting etc, it's fine. I have done the same when house sitting at my mums. If I have overnight guests when I am still there, I wouldn't want the bed stripped, I would want it made again as I wouldn't wash the bedding straight away.

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findingmyfeet12 · 07/06/2015 12:44

Tbh I'm surprised people are annoyed if a bed is stripped and they can't get round to washing the sheets immediately. Seriously? It's only a set of bed linen and you are a host. Get over it.

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kissmethere · 07/06/2015 12:47

The person who said it's rude is ridiculous! Really I would ask the homeowner what they'd like me to do but yours has said no bother.
I wouldn't mind a bit if a guest did that for me but I'd be greatful.

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PuppyMonkey · 07/06/2015 12:50

Those saying you don't like guests stripping the beds as it means you're forced to deal with washing straight away - did you miss the bit where op has washed and dried the sheets already? Confused

But even if she hadn't, it isn't illegal to shove the sheets in a laundry basket until another time or something?!Confused

For the record, I don't mind what my guests do re sheets as long as they bring decent wine and chocolate.Grin

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