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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect dishwasher tablets?

235 replies

foxychox · 31/08/2021 11:26

We had a week in an AirBNB last week. It was a seaside chalet, but very well equipped and included a dishwasher. When the keys were handed over I was advised on how to use the washer and dryer if I needed them so my expectation was that all appliances were for use. Over the first couple of days we used dishes and stacked the dishwasher, when it was full I hunted around but no dishwasher tablets to be found. Salt and rinse aid, yes but not tablets. Washing up liquid, washing liquid and fabric conditioner all evident. From then on we washed dishes as we used them (even though there was a only a very well used scourer available) but left the dishwasher as was - all items had been rinsed prior to putting in so no smell etc.
When we left I messaged the owner to say we had a great stay and had stacked the DW but as there were no tablets had not put it on. Her response was that she expected that we should wash all the dishes by hand prior to leaving.
AIBU in that if there is a dishwasher we should be able to use it? And that the property should include detergent for this? I have another AirBNB stay coming up in a couple of months so need to be prepared to take my own if this is not the norm (it has been for the other 2 that we have done)....

OP posts:
Thethreecs · 31/08/2021 12:10

I've stayed in a few places and tbh they all vary. However what I did notice to be similar was that either one tablet or none were left. We did find out from a couple of owners that it's because they are stolen. Who ever is that low to rob dish washer tablets.... So I always bring some or buy some and leave what's over. I do remember one place and I opened the dish washer door and the smell, OMG it wreaked, it was so disgusting. I went to hand wash and there was only a very used sponge that had a sour smell off it. The whole place was spotless on the surface but when I looked under and inside things it was manky.

Howshouldibehave · 31/08/2021 12:13

I take washing up liquid and dishwasher tables with me on a self catering holiday and would use one or the other every day.

Did you leave all of your used stuff in the dishwasher?! If there was no dishwasher tablets, I’d have either bought a small pack during my stay, or taken it all out and hand washed it before leaving!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 31/08/2021 12:15

I’d always take some, since even if there are supposed to be a few, they might have forgotten.

Ditto a few other items, after once arriving at a place with 2 loos and no paper - when I was desperate! Obviously an oversight, but I always take some now.

HesterShaw1 · 31/08/2021 12:15

Perhaps popping out and buying a few might have been a fairly angst-free idea? Confused

IsadoraQuagmire · 31/08/2021 12:18

You're disgusting...

grapewine · 31/08/2021 12:19

Did you leave all of your used stuff in the dishwasher?! If there was no dishwasher tablets, I’d have either bought a small pack during my stay, or taken it all out and hand washed it before leaving!

Me too. If you left dirty dishes in the dishwater, you're being so very unreasonable, OP. Yuck. I can't believe you actually think that's OK at all.

Robostripes · 31/08/2021 12:19

I always pack dishwasher tablets. Every self catered place I have stayed in leaves you 2 or 3 but not enough for the whole week. I also find it bizarre you didn’t just go and buy some. If they didn’t provide soap would you have just not bothered to wash your hands for the entire week?

Cuddlemonsters · 31/08/2021 12:21

It's nice if they provide them but YABU, either you wash them or you wash them via the dishwasher (buying tabs if needed).

grapewine · 31/08/2021 12:21

even though there was a only a very well used scourer available

and you didn't think to buy a new one (or dishwasher tabs) when you were presumably out anyway? Seriously?

Senorasurf · 31/08/2021 12:22

You wouldn't expect shampoo so why expect dishwasher tablets?

PattyPan · 31/08/2021 12:24

In this scenario you should have left the dishes clean but they should have provided dishwasher tablets. What if you don’t have a dishwasher at home? You’re not going to buy a box just to use a couple there.

seaandsandcastles · 31/08/2021 12:25

YABU to have just left them in the dishwasher like that. You should have either hand washed them or bought some cheap tablets.

zoemum2006 · 31/08/2021 12:26

Airbandb sounds rubbish tbh. Glad I’ve never stayed in one.

Anywhere I’ve been that’s had a dishwasher leaves you a pack of 3 tablets.

godmum56 · 31/08/2021 12:31

@lanthanum

We usually holiday in the UK in self-catering cottages, and we very soon learned that dishwasher tablets and washing powder needed to be in the packing list (along with actually-sharp knives). Sometimes they're provided, but safest to assume not. Chalk it up to experience.
yes, also salt and pepper and matches!
knittingaddict · 31/08/2021 12:32

@zoemum2006

Airbandb sounds rubbish tbh. Glad I’ve never stayed in one.

Anywhere I’ve been that’s had a dishwasher leaves you a pack of 3 tablets.

Which is never enough for a weeks holiday and you either have to bring some or buy some while you're away. Which is what I do and it's fine.

It's not just airbnd, it's the same for every holiday home that I've ever stayed in.

NewlyGranny · 31/08/2021 12:33

We found 3 dishwasher tablets for a week's stay in a huge remote farmhouse with a party of eight. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Horseradishsauce · 31/08/2021 12:33

I think this is quite possibly a reverse - Airbnb host disgruntled at the cheek of some guests and wanted to check the general consensus on Mumsnet...

frumpety · 31/08/2021 12:34

I always take dishwasher tablets, washing stuff and washing up liquid if self catering. In the past I have used a little bit of washing powder in the dishwasher, as its low sud stuff, without any problems.

WTFisNext · 31/08/2021 12:34

I'm honestly surprised that you think it's reasonable to leave dirty dishes behind on a self catering let.

Self catering means just that. You're paying for use of facilities, not consumables unless specifically outlined as provided in the advertising.

Bagamoyo1 · 31/08/2021 12:34

This has to be a reverse, or a wind up. You were there for a week. Are you seriously telling us that you left a full dishwasher full of dirty dishes for most of the week? And that despite no doubt going to some shops at some point, you couldn’t find it in your heart to buy dishwasher tablets? You can take them home you know, you don’t have to be out of pocket if that’s your worry.
But actually think this is a joke.

LegendaryReady · 31/08/2021 12:34

I always assume they won't be there too, but if the stuff was a clean as you say, in the event that I had none, I'd have just run it on the hottest wash without tablets.

knittingaddict · 31/08/2021 12:35

@PattyPan

In this scenario you should have left the dishes clean but they should have provided dishwasher tablets. What if you don’t have a dishwasher at home? You’re not going to buy a box just to use a couple there.
You do what you do at home, don't use the dishwasher and wash up by hand. Alternatively buy a small pack of cheap tablets and enjoy not washing up for a week. The op left dirty dishes behind and there's no excuse for that.
DappledThings · 31/08/2021 12:35

I can't believe anyone thinks that's reasonable. I suspect reverse as well.

It's a nice bonus if dishwasher tablets are provided, it's not essential and you have no excuse for not buying your own.

Awaiting drip feed about how you were 64 miles from the nearest shop and the car had broken down and your are scared of going into shops anyway.

MrsScrubbithatescleaning · 31/08/2021 12:37

The Airbnb host should have provided adequate cleaning materials inc. dishwasher tablets if they expect you to wash the dishes.
Common sense surely?

SchadenfreudePersonified · 31/08/2021 12:38

@swashbucklecheer

I always take a few tablets for the dishwasher and a few pods for the washing machine just in case. If there is stuff there - happy days, if not - I'm prepared anyway.
This.

And if I'd forgotten, I would have just bought some.

It's no big deal - you can take the surplus home.

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