To ask workmen to use only one of our 4 bathrooms?

[Jess222]

Hi. I really don't know if I should ask this, so would appreciate some advice! We have 3 carpenters in our house for 4 days next week, doing lots of work around the house.

We have 4 bathrooms. From what I can see the choice is either (1) Ask them to stick to using just one bathroom, even if it mean they have to e.g. come from upstairs to use the downstairs loo; or (2) Clean up potentially all 4 bathrooms, and yes I have had to so this in the past after we had workmen in who decided to use whichever bathroom was nearest - and one of the bathrooms was left in a disgusting state.

I don't want to seem like a mad woman (although I know I probably am!) But I hate having to clean up toilets after people, especially men, who don't leave them as clean as they found them.

I'd just let them use any. I don't have a problem with having work men in the house or using my toilet.

I think it's fine to say "would you mind just using this bathroom". Also make it as easy as poss for them to clear up if they need to such as loo brush, wipes and bin with liner all accessible. I generally point workmen in the direction of the downstairs loo as it's less of an intrusion.

You can't say anything! Let them get on with their work.

We have two toilets, one in the house and an old out house one only the children really use when out in the garden during the summer.

I don't think you ABU to only want to clean up one toilet, but even if you plucked up the nerve to ask, I'm not sure how you would enforce it. Politely ask and then leave reminders on the door handles??

Could you offer one upstairs and one down? That would cut the cleaning by half and reduce traffic on stairs. I know how you feel, I hate even using our loos after strangers never mind cleaning; no one is allowed to use my en suite, even DH is strongly discouraged.

What do you imagine they will do in there? Urinate or defaecate? Thats what a toilet is for surely

I'm with WTFlike Very rude to prescribe which toilets can be used. Just let them get on with it.

your house your rules I say. I have two toilets and always send guests to the 'guest' toilet, otherwise it's the case of walking through my house to the bathroom (live in bungalow).

With 4 bathrooms you should really have a cleaner.

What kind of work are they doing? If they are likely to have dirty boots then I think it becomes easier to limit access to downstairs bathroom. I can;t think of many houses with 4 bathrooms full stop without being ensuites, so will they be having access to the bedrooms? If not, I can;t see any reason why they would be going through them to the bathroom anyway.

Of course you can - its your house. Just tell them clearly and politely from the beginning so there are no crossed wires. You are employing them - most people have rules to follow at work after all.

I actually think it's fair enough. I would pick the toilet that's the most convenient for them and just ask the foreman (or whoever overseas the others) if they could just use that one toilet as it's easier for you.

I don't think you have to seem prissy about it. Just say it without apologies and then if you want to back it up with action you could always use a screwdriver to lock two of the other bathrooms from the outside (assuming you have one of those handles on those doors).

I wouldn't want to be scrubbing four toilets daily either to be honest. We had two blokes fitting carpets a few weeks back and one left skids down the toilet. They were only here one day!

In someone else's house I would use the downstair's toilet if there was one. Failing that (or if needed extra space say for nappy changing) I'd use family bathroom. I wouldn't dream of going through someone's bedroom to use their en suite. I think workmen should do the same.

I'm amazed at four bathrooms (I have just the one). But surely some (!) are en suites and I wouldn't expect a workman to go through my bedroom to use a bathroom.

Not sure why it would necessarily need "enforcing" if you're polite about it and they aren't ignorant twats. I wouldn't mind following such a request and I doubt most reasonable people would either.

Why don't you suggest they use none?

Any workmen we have never use ours, but then there is one very close by they can use.

Some people think this is bad manners, but I HATE cleaning up after messy men: some even leave the seat up! ;)

Having had a few messy local men working here, now we have Eastern European workers, and they are neat and clean about their persons, and even arrive on time.

They take their lunch out to their vans, and never ask to use the loo.
They do the job well, they tidy up, (even hover after the work's finished,), we pay them, and they go. Fantastic.

I think you should ask them to use a bucket outside.

Hover! Hoover! Curse you predictive text!

I'm with Hester. Actually, asking them to piss in a bottle and shit in a biscuit tin and leave that behind your telly might be the way forward.

To quote Terry from 'Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads':

She thinks her backside is a perfume factory!

Thanks for your replies - they have made me giggle - yes I know I am being a loon! Some good ideas here of how to deal with it, thank you!

Yes they will have access to the en-suites as they are putting in new window frames in various rooms, including bedrooms.

Some people don't seem to know what a loo brush is for and some of them also leave wee on the toilet seat / rim - yuck.

Honestly what a thing to be worrying about - just call me Hyacinth!

At least you know it, OP.

Of course you can. I have 5 bathrooms and wouldn't expect anyone to use anything other than the guest loo downstairs, unless they were staying over of course. Your house, your rules.

I have had builders in for the last year (and consequently am whimpering and sitting in a corner rocking slightly,never again) and they have only ever used the downstairs loo. And only then after we'd finally moved the portaloo outside.

Themaltese -

Maltesefalcon - your post really made me laugh!