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Original poster

Was it my fault and do I replace them?

212 replies

Sexnotgender · 01/03/2021 15:57

I do all the washing.

I repeatedly tell people to empty their pockets. DD17 didn’t take her apple headphones out and obviously they went through the wash.

Waiting to see if they still work once they dry out.

Should I have double checked? And should I replace them?

OP posts:
ErickBroch · 01/03/2021 16:37

Also, I am an adult who has a new iphone and scratched the screen pretty quick. Life moves on. Doesn't mean I am some ungrateful little toad Grin

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 01/03/2021 16:37

@Sexnotgender - I think have a set of wireless earpods - not Apple, but work OK with my iPhone - and I’m not using them at the moment, so if your dd’s EarPods don’t work when they dry out, and if I can find my old ones, I could send them to you for her.

daisyjgrey · 01/03/2021 16:39

@Sally872

It is not your fault and you should not be expected to replace them.

However if my dd was having a rough time and it was affordable to me I would replace them. So long as she is normally takes care of things and didn't expect me to replace them.

I was going to say a similar thing. If she's normally quite good with her things and it was a genuine mistake, especially if she's having a bad time at the minute, if I could afford it I'd replace them or offer to go halves. It's not like she kicked off and blamed you when you told her, she's probably annoyed with herself for leaving them there.

Everybody slips up.

Also, I've washed world Apple earphones before and they have miraculously recovered, so there's hope yet!

MMMarmite · 01/03/2021 16:45

Not your fault. As to whether to replace them, completely up to you. If she's pretty blasé about the whole thing, having to replace them might help her learn; if she's upset with herself and already having a hard time, it would be kind to help her out.

BiBabbles · 01/03/2021 16:49

I've washed several pairs of headphones from various scattered brained people in this house (including my spouse), and all but one that was already on its last legs/wires survived just fine so I'm hoping you'll have a similar experience.

For things like, I might add to a 'to buy next time we're buying things for X' list, but I wouldn't do it right away.

Figgyboa · 01/03/2021 16:49

I do the washing and always double check pockets....doesn't take me anytime and you never know....

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 01/03/2021 16:50

I think they'll probably be ok — they don't contain a battery or anything. Computer parts get put through 'dishwashers'. Just leave them in the airing cupboard for a couple of days to make sure they're dry.

VettiyaIruken · 01/03/2021 16:50

A good lesson for her I think.
One you can remind them until you lose your voice and they 'forget' but when they lose something of theirs, suddenly they start remembering to do what you asked. Funny, that.

therealteamdebbie · 01/03/2021 16:53

It's 50/50

It's HER responsibility to empty her pockets, but mistakes do happen

It's also the responsibility of whoever put the laundry in the machine to double check: no one wants to ruin their machine or their load because of a forgotten pen, or similar.

You are a family. I expect DH to check my jeans pocket before washing them. Yes, I SHOULD (and pretty much always do!) empty them, but mistakes... it makes life easier for everybody to double-check everything. No one wins because someone was "wrong".

scaredsadandstuck · 01/03/2021 16:53

I've washed headphones (bluetooth and non BT) twice recently (left them in running gear both times) and both times they've been fine after drying out.

I'm with the PPs who say they would probably take pity on her and buy new ones if the washed one don't recover, but on the basis it's a one off and the lesson has been learnt.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 01/03/2021 16:55

@caramac04

Not your fault, DD will have to buy new ones. They’re not that expensive.
Apple headphones.
ktp100 · 01/03/2021 16:55

You've repeatedly asked, they're now learning a lesson about what happens when they can't be arsed to check.

Not your problem at all and you certainly shouldn't be shelling out for new ones.

Exhausted4ever · 01/03/2021 17:00

I'd buy new ones on this occasion but make her aware it's her responsibility to empty her pockets and you won't replace anything else

Notaroadrunner · 01/03/2021 17:00

Lesson learned for her. If she now has to pay £19 of her own money for a new pair it will ensure she checks her pockets in future. I wouldn't replace them for her.

londonschool · 01/03/2021 17:00

I've done the same to headphones and Apple airpods and they've still worked. I put them in a pot of uncooked dry rice which is supposed to help draw out the water. These things happen. If they don't work, personally I would buy her new ones - life is a bit rubbish for 17 year olds at the moment.

Bananabuddy3 · 01/03/2021 17:01

I must say OP I learnt my lesson the hard way as a teenager - my phone was left in my pocket. Old style phone with buttons didn’t survive. That was my Saturday job wages to buy another one. My parents were sympathetic to a point because I knew it was my fault but ultimately they had warned me over and over and I didn’t check.

The other hard lesson I (in theory) learnt was when I was a bit younger - and I left a ten pound note in my pocket! I realised because I wanted to go to the shops - and realised it was still in a jeans pocket. Went downstairs and a £10 was pressed against the inside of the washing machine door as it spun. I knew it was mine - my sister claimed it was hers. Dad says it was careless and he took it after the spin.

I think if she’s down, and she’s realised, there’s still an element of care that could be learnt here. Maybe contribute half, or wait a couple of weeks instead of immediate replacement. Painful as it is, my grandads favourite saying was “learning lessons is expensive” - too true!

Eckhart · 01/03/2021 17:01

It's not your fault, but I feel sorry for her. I've done this a few times, with money/keys etc.

I think you need to have sympathy for her that she's made a daft mistake anybody could have made, and might have to get herself some new headphones.

I wouldn't replace them, but I might get her a bar of chocolate or something else small, if she's having a bad time and this made her day worse.

extentioncord · 01/03/2021 17:01

They should work, I have washed loads of these over the years. No need for rice

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 01/03/2021 17:02

@YoniAndGuy

Aw.

No, you shouldn't replace them. And if there is the barest hint of 'It was your fault! Why didn't you check my pockets!!' - then bugger it NO I would very much not replace them.

But for a generally good DD who is going through a lot right now who is being 'pretty good' about it and taking responsibility and is pretty upset about it? And they're £30?

In that case, yes I would replace them, and I'd make it clear that I was doing it because I felt bad for her and wanted to show her that I realised she'd been going through a lot recently, I appreciated that she didn't even try and deflect the blame, and I wanted to cheer her up and show my general support for her.

Lead by example, etc.

^^this & without the effort of typing it out! 😀
WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 01/03/2021 17:04

Caramac. Apologies, you're right, those ones are cheap. Mine were not😂

Confusedandshaken · 01/03/2021 17:05

If she's accepted it was her fault I'd leave it a few days and buy her a new pair. Maybe as a surprise gift for going back to school.

fizbosshoes · 01/03/2021 17:07

Good luck OP . I had a similar dilemma when DD dropped her iphone down the toilet.Confused Shes only 14 and although it wasn't new it was over £200 which in my world is quite a chunk of money to find. (I know that not the case for most of MN!) Luckily it survived.

UnconsideredTrifles · 01/03/2021 17:07

Not your fault, but I'd probably go halves/buy her new ones if it's a one off. Speaking as someone who once managed to launder £1000 in cash, these things happen!

shouldistop · 01/03/2021 17:08

It wasn't your fault. If she's accepted responsibility then I think I'd replace them or ask her to do an extra job and give her the £20 to buy them.
At her age I'd also be asking her to pitch in with the laundry tbh. She will then learn not to Leah things in pockets.

MrsTophamHat · 01/03/2021 17:10

Not what you asked but if you are in the market for new earphones, I got these earlier this year and they are the best ones i've ever had. They're not Apple, but they are wireless, great battery and amazing value for money at around £30.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0832GH4WF/ref=cmswwrcppapifabcc_TC1WHYJXJK7GNAG3767G