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AIBU?

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Original poster

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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Bettermuseli · 17/05/2026 23:04

Amazing - I have just been having exactly the same conversation with myself. Macerators are much less likely to block if they are only used for wees and a small amount of loo paper. I'd like to tactfully suggest that people go to the main bathroom for the other function.
But how?? I can only think of that horrible League Of Gentlemen host who asked his guest, 'Did you pass a solid into the upstairs lavatory?'

LaburnumAnagyroides · 17/05/2026 23:04

ImFinePMSL · 17/05/2026 22:09

We are just having a new cloakroom installed downstairs

I’m extremely confused as to why someone would do a shit in a cloakroom?

Or do you actually mean you have a downstairs toilet and are having some rails installed to hang your coats? Because if that’s the case, then just get rid of the toilet.

You can’t just call you downstairs toilet a “cloakroom” because you want to hang your coats in there that’s nuts 🤣

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

AIBU to ask people not to poop in new under stairs cloakroom?
PigletJohn · 17/05/2026 23:02

Comtesse · 17/05/2026 22:54

Sounds like you have got inadequate plumbing if it can cope with standard usage. Couldn’t you have got a better solution??

I suggested one today at 21:27.

CaseClosedWineOpened · 17/05/2026 23:01

Everyone Is looking at this the wrong way. The sign doesn’t actually prevent you from pooing if you want to. It just warns you that, if you choose to do so, you face the possible mortification of having to tell your host that you have blocked their loo.

So I would rather have the warning! ⛔️

FourSevenThree · 17/05/2026 23:01

I don't think it is reasonable or practical trying to keep it as "no poo ever".
On the other hand, if you are nervous about it and the main reason is your DD convenience, I think it's not unreasonable to protect it a bit "for now", you'll see over the time how reliable it is.
But let your DD to use it however she needs, it's for her anyway and as it should work, she can be the one who will test it.

People will expect that the default preference is for the guests to use the downstairs loo and not encroach on the privacy of your upstairs. So you want to tell them this isn't the preference. What about telling your regular/close guests that you have installed a new loo, but as it's a different technology and you don't know how well it will work, you treat it as emergency one for now, and everyone is welcome to keep using the upstairs one which is bigger and has a proper window?

katepilar · 17/05/2026 23:01

Ohmygawdflippingheck · 17/05/2026 22:45

This thread has been eye opening. Do people really sometimes go for a wee and then suddenly have to poo without warning? I always go about 30 mins after I wake up, like clockwork. The unpredictability must be annoying....anyway, just direct people upstairs when they ask op.

Not everyone's body is like clockwork.

PyongyangKipperbang · 17/05/2026 22:58

fashionqueen0123 · 17/05/2026 22:44

I can’t believe people haven’t heard it being called a downstairs cloakroom before?!

Here’s a right move listing as an example!

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

MotherOfCrocodiles · 17/05/2026 22:58

I n the bad old days when Google Translate was rubbish, I once saw a sign in a bar in Beijing that simply said “prohibit shit”.

Ohmygawdflippingheck · 17/05/2026 22:57

SnowFrogJelly · 17/05/2026 22:52

People who poo to a timetable are so weird

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It's not intentional! 😂 it just happens. Wake up, have a coffee, poo. After reading this thread I have a new found appreciation for my regular bowels 😂

katepilar · 17/05/2026 22:56

SnowFrogJelly · 17/05/2026 22:52

People who poo to a timetable are so weird

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I think its weird when people think everyone does something just because they do.

Comtesse · 17/05/2026 22:54

Sounds like you have got inadequate plumbing if it can cope with standard usage. Couldn’t you have got a better solution??

katepilar · 17/05/2026 22:54

keepswimming38 · 17/05/2026 21:34

There’s no window. The hall is in the centre of the house. No external wall. Hence the need for a macerator.

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

Ohdearnotthisagain · 17/05/2026 22:54

No. Super weird. Don’t install one if you can’t rely on it. Also if it’s going under stairs does it have any ventilation ie a window or extractor fan? If not, dont install it. Gross.

PigletJohn · 17/05/2026 22:53

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.

Fine?

Congratulations on your good fortune.

ParmesanRealignment · 17/05/2026 22:52

YABU to call it ‘poop’ (unless you are an American pre-schooler).

YWNBU to call it by it’s proper name: ‘poo’ (or turd / crap / shit).

SnowFrogJelly · 17/05/2026 22:52

FeelingALittleWoozyHere · 17/05/2026 22:46

Not annoying for me, if I am using the toilet whatever comes out comes out. I don't plan when I poo but why would i need to?

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People who poo to a timetable are so weird

Strandas · 17/05/2026 22:51

Poop? Using that terminology is much worse than the gist of your post.

Bedroomdilemmas113 · 17/05/2026 22:50

You do need to make people aware that it’s a macerator. Poo isn’t your issue, it’s the poo that will backflow if (when!!) someone drops a tampon or wipe down there. Even just a single one….

SnowFrogJelly · 17/05/2026 22:50

YABU it’s a toilet! That’s what they’re for did you realise that

Growingaseed · 17/05/2026 22:50

For those asking a macerator is used when plumbing relying on gravity won't work. They 'chop' everything up and electronically pump it away. However, you do need to be more careful about what goes through them. Tampons, wet wipes etc will cause a block. As could a large poo.

Theres different models and some better than others etc. However, its not very pleasant if they get blocked so I can understand the OP preferring it to be a wee only toilet.

I think better to direct guests upstairs though personally.

Obimumkinobi · 17/05/2026 22:50

keepswimming38 · 17/05/2026 21:04

Chillax. It’s lighthearted as you said.

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But don't chillax too much obviously, or it's the stairs for you!

MyGammyEye · 17/05/2026 22:49

DrCoconut · 17/05/2026 22:23

My DS has bowels of steel and will withhold poo for as long as a week if away from home. It's not good for him and he knows it but just struggles with public/non familiar loos.

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Poor him, it's not nice. If necessary I'll find a chemist. If only away for a week... As soon as I'm in my front door... (well not as soon as, I do wait until on the toilet!)

My daughter had problems too. I think it was a fear for her and of course, if once painful, the trepidation is there. She ate really well, plenty of fruit and veg, lots of water but she'd end up on laxatives through holding. It was a while ago now but I preferred giving her some plum syrup daily rather than wait and resort to something prescribe d.

Lovely conversation 🤣

KilkennyCats · 17/05/2026 22:47

maudelovesharold · 17/05/2026 22:45

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

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It can be either or. Surely no one can guarantee to the hour when they’ll need a shit?

Original poster
keepswimming38 · 17/05/2026 22:47

supersop60 · 17/05/2026 22:09

Is it? You’re not coming out well here.

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Like the poop!

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 17/05/2026 22:47

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.

Same. My one and only loo was one with a macerator for years.

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