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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Am I being unreasonable to expect that at the age of 32, my husband can brush his teeth without spraying toothpaste all over the mirror?

22 replies

iliketeaalot · 04/10/2014 10:32

Pretty much that really. We've just moved and this bathroom has a mirror in front of the sink whereas our old one didn't. I honestly hadn't realised how difficult teeth brushing could be! He knows he does it, and yet every morning and evening, fresh toothpaste splatter everywhere. I've tried cleaning it, not cleaning it - makes no difference. Anyone else have similar problems or is it just me?

OP posts:

ameliameerkat · 04/10/2014 10:39

(gross alert) My ex used to leave the sink splattered with blood after brushing his teeth. Really. And didn't understand why I was annoyed at this.

Penfold007 · 04/10/2014 10:42

My OH used to do this, I think he thought the mirror fairy cleaned up behind him. In the end I stopped cleaning the mirror to the point where he couldn't see to shave - problem solved. I also left the bathroom sink full of his bristles and soap scum.

I do have the luxury of a second bathroom though so I didn't have to look at the mess.

Zebrasinpyjamas · 04/10/2014 10:44

Bad news-my husband still splatters toothpaste at the grand old age of 33 so the extra year of experience doesn't help

scarletforya · 04/10/2014 10:47

My ex used to brush his teeth and spit onto the tap. He was in his thirties. It was revolting.

OwlWearingSunglasses · 04/10/2014 10:51

Gross. Everyone is capable of making a mess but the rule here is you leave it as you want to find it.

And I have yanked (adult) DC out of bed to clean the sink before I could use it. Cleaning your own spit and blood from the sink is not that onerous but to leave it for someone else is vile.

LarrytheCucumber · 04/10/2014 11:44

Mine's 61 and he still does it, so don't get your hopes up girls .

Oldraver · 04/10/2014 11:53

Think yourself lucky he doesn't walk round doing it. My OH does (his bathroom is downstairs and the croosh, croosh noise as he walks around does my head in. DS has started the walking round as well

Just stand in front of the bloody sink

ChessieFL · 04/10/2014 12:17

My DH does this too. Luckily he mainly uses the main bathroom and I use our ensuite unless I want a bath, so I don't have to look at the mucky mirror!

BertieBotts · 04/10/2014 12:20

If you have an electric toothbrush it happens by accident if you take the brush out of your mouth with it switched on.

BertieBotts · 04/10/2014 12:20

Although that's not an excuse not to wipe it up.

Maybe place a cloth next to the mirror as a handy hint.

Chottie · 04/10/2014 12:21

I hate to break this news to you all but DP is 65 and after 40 years of marriage, I have resigned myself to the fact he is untrainable.

I give the mirror a quick wipe every morning with his hand towel ...and breathe......

Original poster

iliketeaalot · 04/10/2014 13:56

So the general consensus is he's never going to stop then? Although did mention this to a friend recently and she said, well at least he brushes his teeth!

OP posts:

ScrambledEggAndToast · 04/10/2014 17:55

My DP really annoys me when brushing his teeth. He brushes so hard that he gets it all round his mouth, literally. Then comes out of the bathroom to talk to me. I don't need to see that!!

cherrybombxo · 04/10/2014 19:10

My DP is 24 and leaves the tap covered in little dots of toothpaste, hint to mention the dried-on foam/spit that I come home to because he leaves after me so can't shout at him as he does it. Gutted to hear that it's not likely to change...

wowfudge · 04/10/2014 19:13

Count yourself lucky OP, my DP (mid-forties) also gets toothpaste on the shower cubicle, which is next to the sink. He just doesn't see it. Grrrr.

Alisvolatpropiis · 04/10/2014 20:07

My husband is 45 and still does this.

TerryDolittle · 04/10/2014 20:11

Is it the fact he can't brush his teeth without spraying the mirror or that he doesn't clean it after that bothers you?
I seem to be a mirror sprayer when I brush my teeth. I can't seem to brush them without it going everywhere! I do at least clean up after myself though.

Original poster

iliketeaalot · 04/10/2014 22:03

It's definitely the fact that he doesn't clear up after. If he can't help spraying toothpaste everywhere, that's one thing, but leaving it all over the mirror that I've already cleaned five times this week, is another.

OP posts:

RubyGoat · 04/10/2014 22:10

Is he very short sighted? I am, and I need to be about 3 inches from the mirror in order to check they are clean enough (I'm a bit obsessive about it TBH). It's hard not to get the odd spot on the mirror at that distance. But - I do always wipe it afterwards.

Catsize · 04/10/2014 22:13

I am 36 and prone to a bit of mirror spattering, but at least I know it's a washbasin, not a sink.

Hatespiders · 04/10/2014 22:44

My husband arrived from his African shanty shack and had never even seen a toothbrush or toothpaste (he used a stick of wood!). Or a flushing sit-down toilet with loo paper. Or taps, a bath or shower. I had to show him how to use them all (even the loo!) For many years now he uses our bathroom and leaves it totally spotless; he practically deep-cleans the lot after himself, he's quite obsessive, because he's still enchanted with having all these luxuries. He really is a gem!

ffallada · 04/10/2014 22:59

Mines is 44 and cannot manage brushing without covering the sink, walls, floor and his own shoes.
Other than that he is lovely. I forgive him (and clean up after him) in a fair exchange for bringing me a banana in bed each morning so that I don't have to get up on an empty stomach which makes me feel very ill atm and cleaning up my forgotten cups and glasses that I leave around the place.

OP - you'll need to find something that's equivalent and do a swap (or learn to live with the grossness of finding toothpaste everywhere)

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