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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:
ActivePeony · 30/06/2024 22:13

OhBumBags · 30/06/2024 20:10

Just separate them into wash loads and let the machine do the rest 🤷‍♀️

Yep. It's not hard.

Riversideandrelax · 30/06/2024 22:08

That's lovely, I'm sure your sister will really appreciate it.

We have a mini launderette up the road at the petrol station. As I don't have a tumble dryer I do sometimes use the tumble dryer there. It is massive so I can get 3 loads in it!

43percentburnt · 30/06/2024 22:07

Hang tshirt/dresses/skirts/jumpers etc straight onto hangers on the doorframe of the doors. They will dry overnight and easy to put away.

Copperoliverbear · 30/06/2024 22:06

@summeroccupation you seem to be getting on top of the washing, she probably needs to start doing two loads a day herself to keep on top of it all.
Keep up the good work and keep us posted as you are going through the house so we can see how you are getting on. X

CharlotteBog · 30/06/2024 22:05

summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:24

Washer pic.

I tried the fast 15 but nothing felt very clean so have gone for the mix which is the next shortest at 2 ish hours.

  • [Pic removed by MNHQ at OP's request]

Is there anything under 'options'?

It's kind of you to get through all the washing. With 3 children it can build up really quickly.

Copperoliverbear · 30/06/2024 22:03

@ItsbecauseofWhirlJack
She is her sister I don't see it as overstepping I see it as helping her to get out of a rut and on the road to keeping on top of things.
If you watch those cleaning programmes a lot of them leave them a rota.
I know she didn't ask her but she knows her sister and probably knows she will.

FriendofDorothy · 30/06/2024 22:02

Shybutrude · 30/06/2024 21:54

@FriendofDorothy if you read the thread you would know the sister is on holiday.....

Sorry I did read quite a bit of the thread but must have missed that comment.... so thanks for your help.

summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 22:01

ItsbecauseofWhirlJack · 30/06/2024 21:44

OP, are you absolutely sure your sister won’t mind you using so much electricity?
load after load of washing and using heated airer etc I know you mean well but what if she gets a big electric bill and isn’t happy? Maybe part of the reason the washing has piled up is because she’s trying to keep her bill down.

The heated airer isn't plugged in. 😊

Cost isn't an issue 😊

OP posts:
ItsbecauseofWhirlJack · 30/06/2024 21:59

Copperoliverbear · 30/06/2024 21:53

Maybe you could also do her a rota of things she needs to do daily like, one of two loads of washing, clean the toilet ect, wash up, hoover
Weekly: Polish, change the beds.
Once a fortnight: skirting boards Doors ect.
Every two months: windows, oven.
This sort of thing x

The sister hasn’t even asked her to the washing. OP is just supposed to be house sitting. Maybe drawing up a rota might be overstepping a bit.

DiscoBeat · 30/06/2024 21:55

It's lovely of you. But please only do the rooms she would expect you to be in. Leave the bedrooms.

Shybutrude · 30/06/2024 21:54

@FriendofDorothy if you read the thread you would know the sister is on holiday.....

Copperoliverbear · 30/06/2024 21:53

Maybe you could also do her a rota of things she needs to do daily like, one of two loads of washing, clean the toilet ect, wash up, hoover
Weekly: Polish, change the beds.
Once a fortnight: skirting boards Doors ect.
Every two months: windows, oven.
This sort of thing x

ZoomDoomZoom · 30/06/2024 21:52

@Sorenlorrenson here you go:
https://www.thelaundryrevolution.co.uk/

Forecourt washer

justasking111 · 30/06/2024 21:52

Our launderette is busy on rainy days, people wash at home and use the big dryers there. You can fold hot and fill IKEA bags.

FriendofDorothy · 30/06/2024 21:51

What is your sister doing whilst you are doing all her washing for her?

ZoomDoomZoom · 30/06/2024 21:50

Sorenlorrenson · 30/06/2024 21:46

What's a forecourt washer ?

@Sorenlorrenson a laundrette or an external laundrette in the forecourt of a shopping centre or external premises lile a hostel.

Acapulco12 · 30/06/2024 21:47

That is so kind of you ❤️❤️

Copperoliverbear · 30/06/2024 21:47

You must be able to find a quicker wash economy comes off the water tank too I think x

Barbaquequeen · 30/06/2024 21:46

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! 😣

What a kind thing to do for her children as much as for her sister. It might be the act of kindness that lifts her to getting better systems in place and can only have a positive impact on the children’s well being

Candlesandmatches · 30/06/2024 21:46

Does the filter in her dryer need cleaning? It can make a much longer drying time if it’s covered in lint.

Sorenlorrenson · 30/06/2024 21:46

What's a forecourt washer ?

Shinyandnew1 · 30/06/2024 21:46

summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 21:40

Yes, she has two big lines and a heated airer. Using all three atm 😁

Perfect, that should dry quite quickly. When that’s done, fold and put another load or two on.

Does she iron? I don’t do absolutely wouldn’t be ironing anyone else’s stuff!!

Pippa12 · 30/06/2024 21:45

Just a heads up, the forecourt washers near my home are often used to wash horse bedding etc, they stink! Double check them before you use them.

Your doing an amazing thing for your sister!

Shutupandsitdown · 30/06/2024 21:44

It will also dry quicker if you do a second spin only after the wash has finished. It’s a game changer in my house in terms of getting it all dry!

ItsbecauseofWhirlJack · 30/06/2024 21:44

OP, are you absolutely sure your sister won’t mind you using so much electricity?
load after load of washing and using heated airer etc I know you mean well but what if she gets a big electric bill and isn’t happy? Maybe part of the reason the washing has piled up is because she’s trying to keep her bill down.

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