To steal my detergent?

[Hairyfriend]

I went to a laundrette for a service wash (where they wash and dry it for you). I had several loads, and not knowing their machines, or how much they'd need, I gave them my bottle of detergent to use on MY wash.

When I got home, I realised the bottle was almost empty! I'd only used it once before. AIBU that they clearly used my detergent on their whole days washes?

I now realise I shouldn't have left the whole bottle, but do you just send in a jar of detergent? What is the norm?

Dump bin bags of stuff and ask when it will be ready. They use their own detergent as part of the service.

@Lucked- They told me the 1st time that I could bring my own detergent.

I've never taken my own detergent. They just use whatever they have there.

You can but is there a reason why you want to?

How big was the bottle? How many is "several loads"?

It could be that they were using it on other people's stuff or it could be that they just used more per wash than you usually do which used up more detergent, especially if they did multiple loads and the bottle is 1L or less.

I have never brought my own detergent or has my mum who now gets her bed clothes washed at the laundrette.

Could it be that they just used a lot of it for each of your washes? How big was the bottle and how many loads did you do?

I know the lady in our local one would never do this.

@Lucked

You can but is there a reason why you want to?

I have very sensitive skin and eczema. Changing detergent can cause breakouts so I always take my own detergent to the laundrette whether I'm doing it myself or as a service wash (I only go maybe once or twice a year to wash duvets, pillows, curtains etc as they don't fit our washing machine)

@Lucked

You can but is there a reason why you want to?

Allergies, skin conditions.

To answer the questions: -The bottle said it had 24 washes worth- and I'd used it once beforehand to handwash a t-shirt.

-They washed a bin bag of washing, plus a small duvet.

• I took my own detergent because they said I could, it saves 80p per wash, plus the ones they offered were highly fragranced. DH can get a rash from certain detergents, so I use a sensitive skin one.

I realise overall that buying another bottle isn't the end of the world. Its annoying and feels cheeky, as I cannot see how they needed 23 loads worth to wash a duvet and bin bag of washing!

Have you asked them? It does sound like theyve used it for others.

Pod next time?

They probably used too much. Ask them. Then only send the necessary amount; you can decant into your empty bottle.

To answer the questions: -The bottle said it had 24 washes worth- and I'd used it once beforehand to handwash a t-shirt.

-They washed a bin bag of washing, plus a small duvet.

A 24 wash bottle is usually about 650ml and its easy to overpour if you're not measuring exactly the recommended amount.

A bin bag of clothes plus a duvet would be a minimum of 3 loads (if they did nothing more than split the bag into lights/darks) but possibly 4/5.

You had used some of the detergent and there was still some left, so 500ml over 4/5 washes is less than 100ml per wash. That's more than the recommended dose but easily done if they are just pouring from the bottle especially when there is such small dose margins.

@Hairyfriend

To answer the questions: -The bottle said it had 24 washes worth- and I'd used it once beforehand to handwash a t-shirt.

-They washed a bin bag of washing, plus a small duvet.

• I took my own detergent because they said I could, it saves 80p per wash, plus the ones they offered were highly fragranced. DH can get a rash from certain detergents, so I use a sensitive skin one.

I realise overall that buying another bottle isn't the end of the world. Its annoying and feels cheeky, as I cannot see how they needed 23 loads worth to wash a duvet and bin bag of washing!

I suspect it’s a combination of them having over-poured for your washes and used it for another person’s wash.

I would complain.

Some great perspectives, thanks.

I do realise its sounding very petty, but the actual lid is a measurer, and when I handwashed the single T-shirt, I used far less than a whole cap full. I've checked what was actually left, and its less than 1/2 a cap, so basically empty!

I had no idea a service wash existed outside east Enders. How much does it cost? Is this the secret I’ve been missing? Does your stuff gone back folded up?

@Handsnotwands- I had no idea it existed till this month either. We are renovating a derelict property and living in a caravan in the garden- hence no washing machine. I've been very fortunate to always have one in the past, so other than dry cleaning, have never used a laundrette.

My 3/4 bin bag of washing (mainly towels, T-shirts, socks) cost £19 for a service wash!!! The price included £1 for extract- what on earth is that, £6 drying time, £5 service charge and £7 for the wash? It would have been more if I didn't take along my own detergent!

It does come back dried, folded and looks so flat, like it was ironed- even though it wasn't.