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New man’s house is filthy

605 replies

merrygoroundsss · 17/08/2025 22:53

Not really sure what to do here!

The new guy I’ve been seeing is lovely. We really hit it off and have a lot in common. He treats me well and puts in a lot of effort.

Just to give you some background, I have some OCD tendencies, especially when it comes to cleanliness. My house isn’t perfect, but it’s clean and tidy. He knows this.

He currently has 2 dogs, but he used to have 9 (not sure why, something related to his ex) and they trashed the house. His ex moved out at the start of the year. I'm not sure if things were like this while she was living there or if it started after she moved out. He told me prior to my visit that his house wasn't as clean as mine, but he was making an effort to improve it, though it might take some time. I didn’t expect much, but when I visited his house for the first time yesterday, I was gutted. It was filthy.
Picture dirty, grimy, and sticky. There were dog hairs everywhere. They’re allowed in every room, on the sofa, beds, you name it. He attempted to clean up before I arrived, which is probably why I feel bad for feeling this way, but his whole house needs several deep cleans!

I don’t think he hoovers, so when he mops, he’s just pushing the dirt and dog hairs around. The bathroom was especially awful. I don’t think the toilet had been cleaned in months (there were skid marks, the bowl was black, and the toilet seat was dirty too). The bathroom also had a strong smell of dog urine. He does mop up any accidents but I guess the urine has just soaked into the floor or something?! I kept my socks on while I was there, but he was walking around barefoot and his feet were black! The back garden was a mess too with dog shit and rubbish everywhere.

If I want to keep the relationship going, I need to spend more time at his house because of the dogs. I wouldn’t mind it if the house was actually clean. I’m supposed to stay there again next week, but just thinking about it makes my skin crawl. I feel terrible though, because he’s said he’s trying to sort it, so he’s not in denial or ignoring the issue. But when I left early this morning to come home, he said he was just going to have a lazy day before he had work tomorrow, which showed no effort to clean up or even start tackling the mess.

WTF do I do? I really like this guy, and aside from this one issue, he's great!

OP posts:
hoohaal · 18/08/2025 08:29

Urg that’s such a shame given you like him so much.

The fact he didn’t even bother to clean the toilet before you came is wild.

I don’t know what to suggest. It’s so hard when you like someone, but I feel like you’re probably in for a lifetime of looking after him and helping with his house.

femfemlicious · 18/08/2025 08:29

realist123 · 18/08/2025 07:19

I agree with the other comments OP, I couldn’t live with this especially at the start of a relationship. My partner and I are not the tidiest of people but our house is functionally tidy and clean - not like you describe this man’s house. If that’s all the effort he’s making now that’s not a good sign.

I have a friend who lived like this, she was a really lovely and kind person but her flat was appalling, not just cluttered but actually unhygienic - piles of unwashed dishes in the sink, floors completely covered in dirty laundry and every surface covered in dirt and clutter and fruit flies. She kept guinea pigs in a cage indoors which she would hardly ever clean and the smell of the whole flat used to make me feel sick so I barely went there. It was to do with mental health, she had major issues and struggled unsurprisingly to meet men and was single for a long time. She was completely blind to her surroundings and hygiene and struggled to find a relationship. She would go on dates with men but they would never pursue her and she asked my opinion once and I (gently) told her that it wasn’t her being unlikeable as a person but her hygiene and home was disgusting and it puts people off. Told her she should respect herself more before expecting to find love.

She has now moved away from the area and met a guy and they moved in together, she has improved but still they are both slobs, they are compatible with each other in that regard. One of their rooms you can’t even use due to stuff being piled high in boxes. I haven’t visited yet but she’s showed me her house on a video call. She’s invited me over to stay in the spare room but it won’t be happening, I’ll be staying in a nearby hotel if I do visit!

You are a really nice friend 💝

ChristmasFluff · 18/08/2025 08:28

Fuck's sake, men are not 'projects', and as women we should be being paid if we are having to 'fix or 'educate' them. It's not a girlfriend duty, and it doesn't work. Scratch the surface and the slob will come out again, however well you think you've 'trained' him.

There is no excuse for a dirty toilet at any time, let alone when someone is visiting.

Raise the bar, OP. Surely you are worth more than nights on a stinky pillow in a piss-reeking house.

InSpainTheRain · 18/08/2025 08:26

You're not compatible OP. Honestly, that sounds beyond grim and I wouldn't want it either. If you stay you'll going to be cleaning that yourself - so I'd get out of the relationship asap.

flippertygibbet4 · 18/08/2025 08:25

It's not difficult to clean a toilet even if the rest of your house is overwhelming. I would not continue this relationship.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 18/08/2025 08:24

I can’t believe you went out with him and spent the night in that house 😩

Lalgarh · 18/08/2025 08:24

I'm hoping that the 2 remaining dogs are house trained for 💩 but I'm not holding out much hope.

Would he at least clean up That in the house 🏠.

Does he actually walk them regularly?

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 18/08/2025 08:24

Why are the dogs having 'accidents' in the house? Are they elderly or does he just not walk them?

Marvellousmeadows · 18/08/2025 08:22

You literally don't need this mess in your life, it will only get worse and the continual arguments about it will doom the relationship anyway .

femfemlicious · 18/08/2025 08:21

Gladysknightjustwalkinmyshoes · 17/08/2025 23:14

No way would I've put my head on a pillow in a house that state let alone anything else happening in the bedroom.🤢🤮

I'm not a neat freak but I would never have stayed there overnight, drunk or not. @merrygoroundsss please don't be desperate for a man.

Supersimkin7 · 18/08/2025 08:19

It’s the toilet. Skid marks take 5 min to fix.

Theres a lot more dirt in this situation than what you can see on the floor OP.

🏃‍♂️

Shoutinglagerlagerlager · 18/08/2025 08:18

Can’t believe you took your shoes off and walked around in that filth with your socks! I wouldn’t even want him in my house as his personal hygiene cannot be good if he lives like that. 🤢

Cricketsandmallow82 · 18/08/2025 08:18

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 18/08/2025 07:38

I had a bf like this once - I bottomed his house, he had just got behind and didn't know where to start with it, didn't even have a toilet seat. We are still together 15 years on and live together and he is much more house trained - in fact, he is cleaner than me now. Running joke was that the first thing I ever bought him was a toilet seat and a lightbulb for the bathroom.

How much do you like this guy and do you think if you helped him he would then keep it up/keep on top of it?

I am a bit OCD, first time I went round I was a bit like wtf but he was a lovely guy - and his house did not reflect him, he was super clean.

I am very glad that it worked out for theressomanytinafeysicouldbe

And I agree that some men just need a bit of direction.

BUT, like many women, I didn’t have a clue how to cook, clean or run a household when I lived on my own for the first time, Somehow women “just” learn how to do it on their own! Funny that!

Bananapotato · 18/08/2025 08:14

He’s choosing to live like this. It’s not just a bit cluttered or untidy it’s actually dirty. He won’t ever improve and you’ll always be cleaning up after him and his dogs.

I would end it.

femfemlicious · 18/08/2025 08:14

JUST NO!. don't do it. Its too filthy. If he is truly great then You should tell him to pay for a cleaning service to deep clean, then wait and see if he keeps clean over a period of time. I understand its really hard to find a great guy but this will end up being a nightmare. He has no children and his house is absolutely filthy already. Imagine how it will be with kids. The toilet being like that is unsurmountable.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 18/08/2025 08:12

You will end up cleaning if you stay together. If you’re happy with that then crack on.

BarMonaco · 18/08/2025 08:12

It would be interesting to know what the house was like when his ex lived there. I wonder if they split over cleaning or if she was the same.

Cricketsandmallow82 · 18/08/2025 08:09

Btw I agree re: the pee smell. It’s not the dogs unfortunately!

We went away for a few days leaving our (tall) daughter’s boyfriend looking after our place and the pee smell, although faint, was definitely present in the bathroom, a faint smell of public lav, when we returned, He had been missing the sides!

GiveTheGoblinsSnacks · 18/08/2025 08:09

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 17/08/2025 22:56

His house speaks volumes about him. Even a poor person can be clean and try to take pride in what they have. He is just bloody filthy and lazy! An uncleaned toilet when you have a new date round?! Brace yourself for washing his skiddy undies and him leaving rubbish everywhere if you stick with him.

Edited

“Even a poor person”

TheFateNdoftheWedge · 18/08/2025 08:08

Why did u take your shoes off.
Agree with previous post re Joe...

Peclet · 18/08/2025 08:06

He must stink.

completely revolting. Bin him.

Gloriia · 18/08/2025 08:05

AngelinaFibres · 18/08/2025 08:02

If his toilet is filthy imagine what his bum crack is like. Have you been putting his cock in your mouth . Barf.

Grin 🤮

AngelinaFibres · 18/08/2025 08:02

If his toilet is filthy imagine what his bum crack is like. Have you been putting his cock in your mouth . Barf.

desiderata328 · 18/08/2025 08:02

Hell nah. You’ll be cleaning up after him FOREVER.

why why why is it so hard to find someone normal these days 🫠

luckylavender · 18/08/2025 08:01

Run