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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to ask people not to poop in new under stairs cloakroom?

488 replies

keepswimming38 · 17/05/2026 20:46

We are just having a new cloakroom installed downstairs. AIBU to put a sign up saying ‘no poo loo’ or ‘if you plan to do a poo do it in the upstairs loo’?

My DH thinks it’s not reasonable. I just down like the idea of people doing a poop in there and then the macerator having to … anyway AIBU?

OP posts:
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JMSA · 18/05/2026 00:02

DoAWheelie · 17/05/2026 20:51

I once lived in a flat that only had one loo with a macerator. It was fine. They are built to cope. Just have some air freshener available or a window/vent.

That’s not allowed. There needs to be a ‘normal’ toilet too, in case of a power cut.

TheDorisCollective · 17/05/2026 23:58

if you didn’t want turds bespoiling your coat room why didn’t you install a urinal?

GenialHarrietGrouty · 17/05/2026 23:57

keepswimming38 · 17/05/2026 20:50

Oh god puking 🤮. Definitely no puking!

That would be really unwise. If the downstairs loo is the nearest, that's where pukers gotta puke. Otherwise you'll have puke all the way up the staircase.

scalt · 17/05/2026 23:56

@MotherOfCrocodiles I laughed out loud at “prohibit shit”.

This thread could be an advert for the pure absurdity of Mumsnet.

scalt · 17/05/2026 23:51

I thought “poop” was the back of a ship, or what Mr Toad says when he dreams of owning a motor car. “Poop! Poop!”

PyongyangKipperbang · 17/05/2026 23:50

Fizbosshoes · 17/05/2026 23:41

Im surprised the number of people who havent heard a downstairs toilet called a cloakroom

Oh we know that people call it that, but its twee and ridiculous.

scalt · 17/05/2026 23:49

CurdinHenry · 17/05/2026 21:15

Wtf do you live in a country with no proper sewage??

Yep - it’s called Mumsnetland, where the natives are very weird about toilets, and believe that “workmen” shit nuclear waste.

Calling it a “cloakroom” implies a certain awkwardness as well.

TheDenimPoet · 17/05/2026 23:47

I'd hate going to a house with this kind of rule, because I'd know that if I went upstairs, everyone would know I was having a poo!

Fizbosshoes · 17/05/2026 23:41

Im surprised the number of people who havent heard a downstairs toilet called a cloakroom

CoffeeAndCats3 · 17/05/2026 23:40

I've never heard of a macerator toilet.
You really do learn something new everyday.

Juliadiesalone · 17/05/2026 23:40

I try and squeeze out a poo even if o didn’t need one upon reading that

ps why does sepsis cause mobility issues that mean she can’t get upstairs for a wee but can for a poo

User33538216 · 17/05/2026 23:35

keepswimming38 · 17/05/2026 22:47

Like the poop!

You’re being ridiculous.

You’ll look back on this thread in a few years and cringe with embarrassment.

And only kids say “poop”. Grow up.

Topseyt123 · 17/05/2026 23:30

Actually, just put up a warning stating that guests will be eaten by the macerator if they have the temerity to poo.😎

PigletJohn · 17/05/2026 23:27

I used to work in a place that had a gentlemen's cloakroom and a ladies' powder room.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 17/05/2026 23:25

My ex moved into an emergency shithole flat without viewing and only found out it was a macerator toilet afterwards. Odd set up, was an upstairs bathroom but in a house where it had been split vertically into two properties. He was in the front half with no back yard etc, so his bathroom was like an ensuite, no soil pipe, it connected to the neighbours soil pipe. It had no window, and a broken extractor fan. He had no idea he couldn't use toilet wipes with a macerator, or certain cleaning products, until i told him.

I HATED visiting him. As someone with toilet related severe OCD, i use excessive paper even for wees, plus i have IBS and typically need wet wipes so was taking immodium before every visit as the distance meant an overnight stay and i struggle even weeing in public toilets to go on the journey home. I tried that wype gel that makes regular loo roll into wet wipes, it did not work well at all. There were a handful of instances in the 18 months he was there that i just had to go, and the anxiety of it was awful. Including the fear of a power cut meaning no flushing loo!

I don't think the majority would intentionally use a downstairs toilet for a crap (minus my late grandma once at a family houseparty, it was, memorable) because it's obvious it will cause a stink that lingers, most would surely be more comfortable going upstairs where nobody will hear or smell their bowels, so i doubt a sign is neccessary.

You do need to accept though that it is going to happen sometimes. Your daughter should get a free pass really, plus it could be unavoidable if the upstairs bathroom is in use and someone really needs to go.

PyongyangKipperbang · 17/05/2026 23:18

fashionqueen0123 · 17/05/2026 23:11

You’d never see loo on a house listing. 🤣Cloakroom is a common term.

Exactly.

Garderobe would be more appropriate

ImFinePMSL · 17/05/2026 23:17

LaburnumAnagyroides · 17/05/2026 23:04

Your lack of familiarity with the term doesn't negate it's existence.

Forgive me, as I wasn’t raised by pompous twats.

Denim4ever · 17/05/2026 23:15

For me this is even more odd than the old thread about not pooing in the en-suite

cloudtreecarpet · 17/05/2026 23:14

I see your problem but a sign like that would be so odd and embarrassing to display wouldn't it? I would cringe every time someone went to the downstairs loo if it was me
And if anyone chose to go upstairs they would be announcing to everyone that they were off for a poo wouldn't they?
Sorry, it's just too much! 😳

fashionqueen0123 · 17/05/2026 23:11

PyongyangKipperbang · 17/05/2026 22:58

written by people who are want commisssion from pathetically MC aspirationers who think that saying the word "loo" will devalue their house.

You’d never see loo on a house listing. 🤣Cloakroom is a common term.

lizzyBennet08 · 17/05/2026 23:09

Honestly just spend the money on a stair lift for your daughter.

fashionqueen0123 · 17/05/2026 23:09

maudelovesharold · 17/05/2026 22:45

Wouldn’t it be quite unusual to need to poo in the morning and the afternoon?

No. Some people poo several times a day. And if she has mobility issues she may need more time to get upstairs

Bettermuseli · 17/05/2026 23:08

katepilar · 17/05/2026 22:54

What does toilet placement got to do with external walls? I am obviously missing something.

The loo usually has to connect to the soil stack which goes down the outside of the building, so the loo needs an external wall or at least to be close to one. Occasionally a downstairs loo goes directly into a drain in the gruond.

Topseyt123 · 17/05/2026 23:07

Just tell your guests that in your household none of you do poo and you would appreciate it if they didn't either.

Then you can keep your lovely, shiny toilet in a glass display cabinet and polish it daily.

Sevenh · 17/05/2026 23:04

bethepeace · 17/05/2026 21:24

Are people really pooing at other people’s houses? I genuinely don’t think I’ve pooed at a friends house since I was a kid!!

I have IBS and have no choice but to use other people’s loos when I need to. I always have perfume in my handbag and try to make sure that there are no unpleasant odours lurking after use, but I genuinely have no other option. I hate it because everyone prefers using their own loo don’t they, but I just try to be as considerate as I possibly can.