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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to give my neighbours living room and kitchen a quick clean.

461 replies

Casschops · 11/08/2020 10:51

My lovely neighbours have gone away on their holidays they don't have much money although work reaaaaally hard and juggle their childcare of their 10 year old son. They have gone to stay in annex of their relations home so have an absolute minmum on their holiday, a friend even drove them their as they struggle with money so much. Im feeding their cat. I saw the man chucking their vacum cleaner in the bin the other week and he was laughing saying they can't afford a new one ATM. The cat has been sick on the floor and flicked cat litter everywhere which I have cleaned up but I can tell that for some weeks they have swept the carpet and floor and there is a thin layer of cat hair and bits in corner of the rooms. It lools like it needs a good vacum the cat has also been walking on woŕktops in the kitchen and there are footprints on things generally lookin a bit hairy and in need of a good wipe as are the windowledges where he sits.
Would they think it odd if I gave everything a wipe down in kitchen and living room as well as mopped the kitchen floor and vacuumed the carpet. I just want them to come home to a nice fresh house or is this intrusive? I am absolutely not looking for people's judgement about levels of tidiness but would it be nice to give things a quick once over or just too much? We say hi on the street and chat but have never socialized with them just to give an idea of our relationship.
Thanks for any input.

OP posts:
Knocka · 12/08/2020 18:33

You clearly mean very well, OP, but I think that a previous poster who said that if you don't know them well enough to know how they would react if you cleaned, then don't do anything more than the most minimal wipe over. I would find it intrusive -- and did find it intrusive when my mother did similar.

lifesalongsong · 12/08/2020 18:34

@Heney

That's so kind of you...I'm sure they will appreciate it!
This is the problem, while can you possibly guess what a complete stranger might think about something there's no way in the world you can be sure, that just impossible and it's silly to think you could predict their reaction.
Oscarsdaddy · 12/08/2020 18:47

I’m with you OP

My neighbours are away so I’m on cat feeding duty, they are back later

Earlier today I cut their grass fro t Sheba k and gave their kitchen/diner a sweep through and emptied the bin with all the cat food pouches and even cleaned up some 💩 from the litter tray

I always treat folks as I would like to be treated

Oscarsdaddy · 12/08/2020 18:48

Sorry that post got lost somewhere

Cut their grass front and back !

Tiredwiththeshits · 12/08/2020 18:50

I think that’s very kind of you.
I would definitely go with the phone god the cat just made a huge mess’ I’ve flicked round with the hoover and wiped down the surfaces why not if he’s done it whilst away.
Also loved the second hand vacuum idea. I would probably slip a £20 into a pocket too. Hmm and then deny it obviously. If it ever came up.

Kiki06 · 12/08/2020 18:57

Lovely thing to do and why wouldn’t they appreciate such a great gesture? I would love to come home to a fresh house.

Doingmybest4u · 12/08/2020 18:57

I would do it and blame the cat. I had a similar situation and I did the cleaning. The family commented that it was cleaned better when they came home than when they had left and we’re quite happy (and grateful) for that

Ginburee · 12/08/2020 18:58

I would love it if someone did this for me. I second a second hand vacuum as well- tell them it was outside someone's house for free and you grabbed it.

FelicisNox · 12/08/2020 19:02

It's tricky as you don't want to overstep your boundaries, paradoxically they might love it an expect it every time they go away.

You could have a bit of tidy up and whip around but message them to say you've had a bit of a tidy up as the cats been sick in a few places and you hope they won't mind.

nicegirl73 · 12/08/2020 19:02

I am very messy and I have had the Experiwnce of having my house cleaned and it’s not a great feeling. As much as I understand why you would want to I hated it.

Carpedimum · 12/08/2020 19:03

@Casschops I think you’re a lovely neighbour for a. feeding the cat and b. being thoughtful about cleaning up after the cat. I would try to keep it as Day 1, just a quick wipe & clear up after the cat. I wouldn’t vacuum, because that would embarrass me if I was them. I’d also get them fresh bread & milk for when they return but that’s just me.

mousey37 · 12/08/2020 19:08

I’d love that. Sounds like they deserve it

HeadAndShoulders · 12/08/2020 19:09

@Rossita
"Why are you in their house?"
Are you Rossita Christie?Hmm

BengalGal · 12/08/2020 19:12

I think since you are looking after the cats it would be fine and they would be thrilled. You are only getting rid of cat litter and cat hair. A really good pet sitter does that.

MommyR · 12/08/2020 19:12

Personally I think that’s a lovely idea and a wonderful sentiment for your neighbours 🥰 I’d say go for it 💯%

Bouncingbelle · 12/08/2020 19:14

I would absolutely love itl

angelfacecuti75 · 12/08/2020 19:31

I think it's a nice thing to do..just say the cat made a mess or something so you cleaned the whole thing as it was easier of you are worried x

angelfacecuti75 · 12/08/2020 19:31

If*

TheWashingMachine · 12/08/2020 19:37

I would be thrilled to bits. Cat hair accumulates quickly.

My neighbour's DS looks after our cat and she once brought in a very large rat that she she killed in the hall. Apparently it was a bloodbath and he had to clean up.

lockeddownandcrazy · 12/08/2020 19:37

I'd be really appreciative of coming home to a tidy house. I would just say that the cat had made a mess and you tidied it up for them.

quietlyspoken08 · 12/08/2020 19:40

I would love it nothing better than coming home to a clean house even better if your lovely neighbour has freshened it up for you and it wasn't all your own toil!

DDemelza · 12/08/2020 19:42

I think I would build a shrine to you if you did this for me.

listsandbudgets · 12/08/2020 19:47

Our car feeder once vacuumed our living room while we were away because the cat caught a bird and spread feathers far and wide ( we had left it clean)

Is your neighbours car a good hunter?

Oysterbabe · 12/08/2020 19:54

I think it's rude and I'd be annoyed if someone did this. You have permission to he there for the purpose of feeding the cat and that is it.

Idontcareboutthestateofmyhair · 12/08/2020 19:54

I usually at some point watch my sister's pets while she's on holiday.. she is always busy runs her own business and works til ten at night.. I always try clean her house from top to bottom as a nice coming home treat. She loves it and is always grateful. But (1) she's my sister. (2) I only do it because I know she struggles for time so badly being busy with the business all day/night 6 days a week.
If you have a close friendship with your neighbours then a basic clean up would be nice .. especially the cat sick and especially as they don't have a hoover..