What are your unwritten house rules ?

[cakeorwine]

Need to go to the shops but the washing machine is on. I don't want to pause it and one of the unwritten house rules is "Don't go out when the washing machine is on"

So I've had to wait until it's finished. Luckily it's a short wash so not too long.

What are your unwritten house rules?

We all knock on each other’s bedroom doors and wait to be invited in. Everyone deserves privacy no matter their age.

Don’t have concerns about the washing machine, but we don’t go out or to bed with the tumble dryer running.

Kitchen spotless and dishwasher on before bed every night.

All loos are closed after use. The men that live or have grown up here know to do sit down wees only.

Wash you hands as soon as you come in

no shoes in the bedroom and no eating in bed

Close doors quietly whatever the circumstances, never let a door bang shut.
Never leave an empty loo roll, always replace before you leave the room.
Put things back where you got them - scissors / sellotape / glue / book of stamps (basically everything)
Never empty the bin without putting in a new bin liner.
If something belongs upstairs, take it with you when you go.
Cooking pans etc go straight into the dishwasher (or to soak) while you are dishing up (ie before eating).
Try not to eat the last biscuit.
Don't put socks away till you've found its partner (could take months).
Tell me if you find a hole in your woollen jumper (I'm on red alert for moths).
When you use the last of anything, write it on the list!

Honestly the 'washing machine will catch fire' argument are just making me think of this guy lol.

A leak/flood is far, far, far more of a household risk than a fire. Its kind of like saying you don't leave your bath running in case it spontaneously combusts.

Dryers are 'legendary' for the fire risk (although I have never known of one to catch fire in real life) but washers... the thing full of water? only if its damaged/faulty.

I guess no one leaves their fridge on (the thing that can overheat and is FULL of combustible gas).

Most washers/dryers/fridges/dishwashers that catch fire are faulty and usually have ignored recall orders on them and are a small amount of house fires over all with most being the result of cooking related incidents. Computers/laptops and chargers are a bigger risk for overheating and causing fires that washes/fridges etc...

no I have got a dishwasher. I keep handtowels in the kitchen for when I have rinsed my hands while cooking. Nothing lef tcharging overnight aart from my phone in my bedroom. Nothing left running while I am out of the house except the sky box. Nobody has to eat or drink anything they don't like.

Kitchen knives are only for cutting food.

not to be used as tools, not a screwdriver, not cutting wire, not cutting in garden. Etc

Shoes off at the door.

Housework is everyone's job.

Whoever cooks doesn't have to wash up.

Make your bed when you get up.

I go round switching off plugs to most things before leaving for work. DH thinks I'm paranoid. I think it's just sensible.

I'm loving all these 'try to..' posts, like 'try to put dirty dishes in the dishwasher'. Am imagining people fighting through all sorts of adverse conditions, struggling their way through forest fires and tsunami to get to the dishwasher to leave their mugs.

And yes, I know I'm being facetious. I've had kids who never put anything in the right place too.

No farting at the dinner table 💨

I prefer not to go to bed with the washing machine on, but I'm happy to go out - would much rather there was a rare chance of an issue with everyone out, than in!

We are shoes off but don't ask guests - eg both sets of grandparents just wouldn't think to do this and we wouldn't ask them.

We have more cats than we have laps, so it can sometimes get a bit tricky!

Don't put socks away till you've found its partner (could take months)

I have an odd sock pile too! It's annoying because it looks messy but it does work. I leave it in the place I sort the washing for putting away

Don't remove the kitchen calendar's pen (that's why it's on a string!) If you borrow the kitchen calendar's Sharpie, put it back when you're done

Don't put rolled up socks in the wash, or I will put them in your bed

Don't leave litter (eg empty crisp packet) lying around or I will put it in your bed

If the loo roll is nearly finished, get a new one out. Don't leave the next person to find with dismay that there's three squares left and They'll Need More, Much More...

Like PPs - if you have a cat on you, you are spared tea duty for the duration

Close the living room door overnight but make sure the cat is not hiding in there first

In winter conservatory doors closed in the way the cat can open them if needed.

If windows are open lights are off

No unaccompanied toddlers or animals in kitchen. Kitchen door shut if not in use.

TV off if not in use.

Lights off and doors locked at bedtime (this is DP, I couldn't care less but try 😬 to remember).

Tumble dryer off at bedtime or going out (DP again).

Shoes off upstairs.

If you cook someone else washes up.

If the cat's on my lap I'm not moving.

No food upstairs.
No phones or tech at the table unless eating alone.
The cook does not wash up.
No shoes upstairs.
No eating other people's food/snacks without checking first.
Shower curtain to be pulled (stretched out) after use to limit risk of mould.
Nothing to be left in the sink to be washed later (tiny kitchen).
Empty room, lights off.
If it's hot outside or dark, the bedroom curtains must be closed.

Throw wild parties, they can’t be trusted at all

What are the statistics for washing machines breaking down and spewing water everywhere?

Shoes off at the door (guests included even though I have hard floors)
Rinse the bath after every shower.
Hang coats up, put shoes on the shoe rack. Don't just dump them.
Everyone living under this roof needs to shower daily, not negotiable.
When the dogs come back muddy from a walk they have to be rinsed and dried before coming in.

Do. Not. Untidy. My. House.

LOL, same for glass of wine. "I have a cat on me"
We don't really have many rules. There are accepted norms.
If you cook someone else washes up and tidies
All glasses and crockery in the dishwasher before bed
Shoes and coats in wardrobes, not the hall, one each is permissable

Dishwasher is often on at bedtime and the washing machine on when we are all at school or work. Not the dryer!

Wow. I didn't realise quite how " laissez faire" I was until I read these posts. I dont think I have any hard and fast rules,I just expect a reasonably civilised level of behaviour. I have a sign saying " Be nice or leave" which is about it really.

Sit down at the table to eat and always use a plate.

You must try everything on your plate unless it's one of the three things pre-agreed that you are allowed to veto.

Take your empty plate to the sink.

No parkour in the living room.

Person cushion stays with the cat, the other person makes the tea. It's always me making the tea.

Ask before you shower, we only have one bathroom.