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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Somebody is using my tumble dryer at night...

494 replies

RaisinBread · 22/02/2018 09:18

I’m convinced of it.

I have a new smart meter it’s been installed for about a month. My resting house uses 9p of electric between midnight and the time we wake up. Always.

So I’ve woken up today and the meter is on 48p.... I went to bed past midnight last night, which is very unusual for me but got hooked into 24 hours in AE and ended up making the kids packed lunches at 12.30. At this point from several lights being left on and the tv running the meter was already on 8p so I knew it would be around 20p at most by the morning.

So I wake up to find it double what I’m expecting and then hear the dryer going. It’s in a building attached to the main house, sort of a boot room. When I rented the house there was no lock to that room (old house with old doors and I think the key was lost at some point) but there was to the main house which has a heavy door, locks and bolts. It didn’t bother me as in a sleepy village. My landlord lives behind me with his family in a converted barn and someone is usually home as they are renovating it.

Even weirder than my tumble dryer being on when I hadn’t turned it on is that the tray that collects the water was bone dry! My washing load in there was bulky cottons that hold a lot of water so it should have been half full/full after my load drying.

I put my load in the day before and due to the pre mentioned tv binge, forgot to take it out before bed to fold.

This has really weirded me out as this is now the second time this week that the tumble dryer has been on in the morning and the meter has been above 9p. The last time was I think Tuesday morning but I live with three kids so just shrugged it off that one of them had put it on by accident when looking for clean uniform. Although thinking about it logically now they wouldn’t have been looking for clean uniform on a Tuesday morning as we have enough sets to last until Wednesday before they need washing and drying....

So do you agree with me is someone sneaking into my house unloading my washing. Drying theirs. Emptying the tray of water and then putting mine back in to fully dry? Confused

OP posts:
LittleFeileFooFoo · 22/02/2018 19:58

Ooh, i want to know too!

I run my dryer at night, with a cat on a heading pad on top of it no less! no fires yet.

Festies · 22/02/2018 19:59

You have to find out more before you bother getting a bolt. Don't make the trap obvious. Definitely arrange a tea towel artfully and see if it gets moved...

Shmithecat · 22/02/2018 20:04

Ooh. Breath baited for the answer here! Shock

allthegoodnameshadgone · 22/02/2018 20:05

Fill it with a bit of talc in the bottom and in a sandwich bag so not in the dryer loose but will cover clothes in if someone switches it on.

Then sit back and wait Wink

GardenGeek · 22/02/2018 20:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SimonBridges · 22/02/2018 20:19

Sprinkle some washing powder on the floor. It will look like an accident but you’ll see foot prints.

LittleOwl153 · 22/02/2018 20:35

If your patio style doors have 2 handles together put an elastic band or 2 over both handles, makes it very difficult to open.

DoubleLottchen · 22/02/2018 20:48

I used to live in a block of flats with a communal laundry room, and strongly suspected someone was using my dryer.

I just removed the water container which meant the dryer wouldn't run - much easier than fiddling about with fuses and electricity Grin.

Obviously doing that is less satisfying than catching someone red-handed with their clothes in your dryer - but at least means you won't be paying out for cheeky people stealing your electricity!

Cleanermaidcook · 22/02/2018 21:01

Could someone be sleeping rough in there and turned the drier on for a bit of warmth?

eddielizzard · 22/02/2018 21:23

put some magic tape right at the bottom of the door. condensation might not go down to the ground, and if it leaves a small mark on the paint (which being magic tape it probably won't), it'll be so low down as to be unnoticeable / mixed up with normal wear and tear.

ohbitchplease · 22/02/2018 21:24

Shameless placemarking. Great thread.

I just can't get why your landlord would sneak in to use the dryer though. My money is on something / someone else. No idea what Grin

NorbertTheDragon · 22/02/2018 21:29

I'm laughing at you telling your kids you just fancied doing some drawing with labels. Grin

I wish someone would come and do my washing while I was sleeping. Maybe it's woodland animals just like a Disney film?

NapQueen · 22/02/2018 21:31

I am gripped. Bloody gripped.

ineedamoreadultieradult · 22/02/2018 21:35

My DGM had someone using the washing machine in her outhouse, it turned out to be a local homeless man. When she found out she left him some sandwiches and a flask and a note of some organisations that could help. After he knew she knew he never came back, don't know if he got help though.

WipsGlitter · 22/02/2018 21:38

Excellent diagram!

Ljlsmum · 22/02/2018 21:38

Not placemarking at all. Wink

TroysMammy · 22/02/2018 21:43

I'd remove the plug for the night. Not unplug the tumble drier but actually take off the plug.

Gide · 22/02/2018 21:47

I am so place marking!

forgottenusername · 22/02/2018 21:51

We had this with our washing machine. It was plumbed in inside the outside loo in our last rented house and someone was using it to do their washing. They pinched our clean sheets :(

We had no idea who it was and ended up putting a padlock on the door.

SingingSands · 22/02/2018 21:52

That is a great diagram, well done OP.

Er, nothing more to add...

FlouncyDoves · 22/02/2018 21:54

adult your DGM sounds lovely!

whatsleep · 22/02/2018 22:01

Hide inside the dryer and wait...... 🤪

Dondie · 22/02/2018 22:15

I’d put a child lock on the dryer so if you need an excuse it’s “oh to stop the kids messing with it”. Some of the child locks are almost impossible to get off unless you specifically know how. Then set the wildlife camera up and watch the culprit struggle!!

slashdragon · 22/02/2018 22:24

This thread has totally freaked me out!

Loving it though,

MrsCrabbyTree · 22/02/2018 23:26

Great diagram OP.

Hope 'the shitting man' from another thread doesn't find out your address. Your unlocked loo may be far too tempting!! lol

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