To go to my sister's house

[jennylouisaa]

Last week our washing machine broke. We can't get afford a new one this month and we're struggling to get someone to come and fix it without it costing a fortune. AIBU to use my sister's washing machine until we sort something? She lives 6 doors down (sad I know but we're a close family) and I'd only run in to put the wash on and run back to collect it without touching anything. I know it's not food, medical or exercise but I'd say having clean pants is pretty essential!

I think it's OK.

Can you leave it on the doorstep, knock and leave.

She puts it i the machine and does the same back with your washed laundry.

Then you hang it up or whatever you do to dry it

God, no.
Hand wash in the bath if you have to for now.

Could you leave the bag at her door then she can leave it back at your door when its done? You wouldnt need to go into each other's houses thaf way? Handwash underwear for now if youd rather not share that with her!

Better if she does it for you I think and you don't go inside. I think laundry is essential though you are right. Although no doubt someone will be along to tell you that actually, since you're staying in the house, you don't need to wear clothes at all! Frivolous OP, we all have to make sacrifices.

Since launderettes are on the government's essential businesses list, I'd imagine getting your sister to pop a load in her machine would be ok.

@JasonPollack haha I hadn't thought of that, perhaps becoming a naturist is the way forward.

I wasn't sure what was safer, me going into the house or her handling my washing. Now that people have mentioned it it's probably better if I leave it on the doorstep and she washing her hands before and after touching it

Not relevant but I think it's lovely you live so close to your sister. I would anyways cause you'll run out of clothes soon

How I used to wash stuff in a homeless shelter...

You put all your laundry in a plastic bag. Wash your hands, clean the outside of the bag. You get to her house, she leaves the doors all open. You go in, get to the machine, put the entire bag inside the machine, pull the bag out, leaving the clothes inside. Leave. She puts the wash on. No one has got bedbugs touched anything or seen each other.

We had the same problem, our machine broke last week. Had offers from nearby family to wash essential (work uniform etc) but we were afraid of cross contamination. In the end we waited it out for a repairman. I highly recommend speaking to Domestic and General if there’s a chance your machine can be fixed. We’re doing their £15 a month plan for 12 months which covers all repairs. If they cant repair the machine they replace it like for like. This doesn’t include the first repair though - if they can’t fix it for first call out they just cancel down the plan and advise you to get a new one. Luckily they managed to fix ours today! Needed new drum.

The washing isn't the problem but as we all know you shouldn't be going into other households.

Why do you need to go inside?

Is it 2 days the virus can survive on clothes? So if you bagged up some laundry, sealed it for 2 days then took it round to hers and dropped it off on the doorstep then she did the same once it's washed, that should be fine.

Don't go into the house. Leave the washing on the doorstep so you don't get too close. Maybe leave a pair of rubber gloves that your sister could put on before handling your washing? And, of course, she washes her hands after handling it whether wearing gloves or not.

Sorry, just reread that and it sounds so bossy! My apologies.

Is it your younger sister? I'd be wary, they're notorious for stealing clothes!

YANBU, posts above suggesting dropping doorstop to doorstop seem like the best option.

Hand wash in the bath if you have to for now.

How much hand washing can you do in the bath?

A few bits of underwear, the odd bits of light summer clothing maybe, but no one is going to be able to wash sheets and towels by hand in the bath.

Sort it into categories, bag it up and leave it outside her door. She won't have to handle it that way and can just tip it from the bag into the machine.

I'd put it in a bag, seal it for a few days (3). Then leave it on my sisters door step. She can wash it for you then if she's really nice dry it and hand it back on the door step. I'd do it for my sister no problem at all.

Hi OP, I’d just leave it on the doorstep if poss and she can drop it off when the wash is done. Both wash your hands, but clean clothes are pretty essential. Hope your machine gets sorted soon

I've still carried on doing my neighbours washing for the last 3 weeks, she drops it on the doorstep and I return it. Wash hands after and that's it. It's fine.

Just leave at the door if her family are still living there.