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Original poster

To want to cry at my sister's washing?

287 replies

summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:08

She has three girls and is currently on holiday with them. I'm house sitting until next weekend and there's washing everywhere. I've filled four ikea bags and still have a pile that's filled the bath. I'm planning to get it washed and dried for her but I'm honestly looking at the pile and don't know where to start. She has a washer dryer and it's taking ages per load (no laundries around here, just forecourt washers that are like £10 a wash!)

No she hasn't asked me specifically to do it but she was complaining about the state of her house last week so I know she won't mind. She's been struggling with her MH lately and having it looming over her can't be helping! And she's starting a new full time job next week so if I leave it it'll never get done!

OP posts:
Original poster
summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:19

I'm not sure if I'm just being daft but the fastest wash I can find still takes two hours? Mine has everything from a 15 min wash to a 60 min wash.

Will attach a pic of the washer shortly.

OP posts:
OhBumBags · 30/06/2024 20:19

Youdontevengohere · 30/06/2024 20:16

She’s on holiday with 3 kids. Reading threads about washing probably isn’t top of her priority list this week, even if she does use the site.

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Threads don't auto delete themselves when people return from holiday.

Besides, do you never go on your phone when the kids are in bed and it's time to relax?

Justcashnosweets · 30/06/2024 20:18

Your sister will be so grateful for your help, believe me. I remember my MIL cleared all my laundry one of the times she stayed. I loved her from that moment on! 😊

Youdontevengohere · 30/06/2024 20:17

Singersong · 30/06/2024 20:16

I really don't understand what is so stressful about doing washing. Or am I missing something and you're hand washing it all?

The backlog of washing at my house makes me want to cry sometimes.

Original poster
summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:17

Singersong · 30/06/2024 20:16

I really don't understand what is so stressful about doing washing. Or am I missing something and you're hand washing it all?

I'm ND and feeling very overwhelmed by the sheer amount of it! If I have one load waiting it's a lot, so this is really giving me the anxiety!

OP posts:
DaughterNo2 · 30/06/2024 20:17

Boobettes · 30/06/2024 20:15

Why is it taking 'ages per load'?

Possibly as on a 30/40 degree economic load it’s 2+hours in a newish washer

Youdontevengohere · 30/06/2024 20:16

I also have 3 kids OP and I wish someone would do my washing! You sound like a fab sister.

Original poster
summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:16

Purplestorm83 · 30/06/2024 20:15

If possible it might be kind to change the kids’ bedding as well as long as they won’t mind? Don’t go in your sister’s room though!

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I've already stripped the beds in the girls' rooms.

OP posts:
Singersong · 30/06/2024 20:16

I really don't understand what is so stressful about doing washing. Or am I missing something and you're hand washing it all?

BronwenFrideswide · 30/06/2024 20:16

This is really kind of you OP as you can see your sister is clearly struggling.

Set a load going at her house, maybe do one lot and hang it out and then put in another lot leave to dry in the machine. Can you take some home with you and do it at yours so you have got two washing machines on the job?

Also I would seriously consider the forecourt washers as well f they can take a big load that would then be three machines on the job which would get it all done quicker.

Youdontevengohere · 30/06/2024 20:16

OhBumBags · 30/06/2024 20:14

You don't know that.

I've never told a soul I'm a regular Mumsnetter.

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She’s on holiday with 3 kids. Reading threads about washing probably isn’t top of her priority list this week, even if she does use the site.

Onomatofear · 30/06/2024 20:16

I have 3 girls living at home (usually two but one is home from uni) and I have to do a full load of washing every day, nearly. It's lovely of you to want to help your sister out.

Original poster
summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:16

Shinyandnew1 · 30/06/2024 20:14

Blimey-if they’ve got so many clothes needing to be washed at home-have they got clothes with them for holiday?!

I’d wash it in the washer but not use the dryer part-they are crap and the clothes just come out hot and wet. Is there an airer? Can you get it outside somewhere? Or near a window?

Yep she has a line and a big heated clothes horse.

She bought new for their holiday and now I know why! 😣😂😂😂

OP posts:
Purplestorm83 · 30/06/2024 20:15

summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:11

I'm honestly thinking about giving her house a deep clean! I've only really been downstairs lately and only nipped up to find the cat for her meds. Didn't realise how bad it had got! 😣

If possible it might be kind to change the kids’ bedding as well as long as they won’t mind? Don’t go in your sister’s room though!

Boobettes · 30/06/2024 20:15

Why is it taking 'ages per load'?

Original poster
summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:15

Savoretti · 30/06/2024 20:11

I’d try the forecourt ones. They are so big you will get so much in there at once

I'm honestly thinking about it! Just have to figure out how to get it there because I don't drive.

My husband is on the way to pick up a few bags which can go in my washer!

OP posts:
MeAgainAndAgain · 30/06/2024 20:15

If she has enough hangers can you hang what you can in the doorways for them?

Fluffypuppy1 · 30/06/2024 20:14

Smartish · 30/06/2024 20:10

as long as you’re sure she won’t mind then start by sorting the colours and start somewhere, feeding it through. I’d hang it up as it’s more efficient than drying in a washer/dryer. Even if you can’t get it all done, surely sorting it will be a help.

This.

Even if you “only” get half of it done it will be a huge help for her.

Shinyandnew1 · 30/06/2024 20:14

Blimey-if they’ve got so many clothes needing to be washed at home-have they got clothes with them for holiday?!

I’d wash it in the washer but not use the dryer part-they are crap and the clothes just come out hot and wet. Is there an airer? Can you get it outside somewhere? Or near a window?

OhBumBags · 30/06/2024 20:14

summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:13

She doesn't use the site, don't worry.

Show quote history

You don't know that.

I've never told a soul I'm a regular Mumsnetter.

dementedpixie · 30/06/2024 20:14

Could you take some to your house to do as well? Has she nowhere to hang clothes indoors rather than use the dryer? Or wash at home and use the big communal dryers to dry the clothes.

Original poster
summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:13

OhBumBags · 30/06/2024 20:12

And if she's got 3 kids, there's a pretty high chance she's a Mumsnetter, so I would've just got on with it instead of starting a thread where she might recognise herself.

She doesn't use the site, don't worry.

OP posts:
Purplestorm83 · 30/06/2024 20:13

Sounds like there’s probably more than one load per colour (whites/darks/colours) so I further separate into what can/can’t be dried in the dryer. Do the non- dryer stuff first so it can hang up.

PartnersInCrime · 30/06/2024 20:13

If you've got nearly a week, I'd sort by colours, darks and whites and do one load a day to hang out if possible and one load to hang inside on airer if possible. Should manage to get through loads then!
You are a very kind sister.

Original poster
summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:12

Comtesse · 30/06/2024 20:11

Just get through 1 load at a time and hope it does rain if you are drying outside. Every load you do will be helping even if you can’t sort everything.

Maybe the machine is on its last legs and that is why there’s this big backlog?

It's about 6 months old and seems to be working fine! I think it's just piled up to the point she didn't know where to start and this is the end result!

Using both the line and the clothes horse, don't worry!

OP posts:
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