To clean neighbours’ kitchen

[novocaned]

WWYD my neighbour has gone on hol and we’re feeding their cats. They’ve left a full bin, food mess on counters and a sink of dishes. It’s boiling here and there are loads of flies in their kitchen. AIBU to empty and clean the bin, clean surfaces and do the washing up? Will they feel judged? I would want them to do it if it were me rather than come home to house of flies and maggots.

You need to start your own thread.

I would clean it all. That's a bit gross of them to leave it like that!

I'd be itching to clean it but I wouldn't because I think it's quite an invasive thing to do.
I can't understand it when people go away for more than two days and don't leave a clean kitchen behind. I don't mean sparkling clean but no rubbish, no dirty dishes and no perishable food outside of the fridge. It's unhygienic and coming back to the smell would be awful.

I'd say just leave it and they'll learn their lesson. Cats will be fine.

Yes, it's not fair on the cats

I am a pet sitter and as part of looking after peoples pets I ensure that their house is clean (to a point) for when they come home.
So I ensure that pet bowls are washed and sides are wiped down if I've used them to prepare/decant pet food. I also hoover around litter trays and heavily tracked areas.
You could wash up and wipe down and not mention it I think, and if asked say you washed the cat bowls and just did the other bits while you were at it?
And took the bin out to the wheely to get rid of the pet food sachets that had accumulated.

As has been said, just do it and say nothing. If it's been left with food waste and is a bit minging, then do it. I bet they won't mind. I wouldn't. They will very likely not even remember how they left it. It will stink like hell by the time they come back if it's left. So just do it.

I mean. They should've said 'oops sorry we've left things in a state were in a rush.' Rather than just leaving it?

I'd probably leave it. Got enough on in my own house.

Nice of you to sort it. I think they are cf's to leave it. No one forgets all that. They thought 'fuck it' & left!

The cats are mainly outdoor cats. I let them in and feed in the mornings then out again, same in the evenings so they’re not in the house a lot.

I have done bins tonight as it genuinely is bin day tomorrow. Also done washing up as needed to wash the cat bowls and couldn’t get to sink. Rinsed other plates but not washed. No dishwasher.

I’m sure something happened and they ran out of time to do the last few bits or something. I’m not judging. My teapot got mouldy when we went on holiday because I forgot to clean it - these things happen.

I'd have to do it! Just assume they were running late when they left. I wouldn't say anything though!

I would do it for the cats.

I'd leave the mess for them. Can't you put the cats in the garage with all the food and drink they need? (Not a cat owner - but couldn't clean up a stinking fly infested kitchen)

I would just do it and say nothing unless they ask and if they do then just be honest and say what you have opted here - you took the bin out on bin day, did the washing up so you could access the sink to wash out the cat bowls and cleared the surfaces to deter the flies.

I can't ever imagine going away and leaving my house in that state unless there was a last minute emergency that means i end up rushing out but if I did then I would definitely be contacting my house/petsitter asap to say "I'm so sorry, we slept in and had to rush to get out so I didn't get a chance to put the rubbish out in the wheelie bin. When you pop in would you mind taking them out for me please? Thanks so much!" I'd be mortified if I had left a mess and expected someone else to either work around it while I'm away or tidy up after me.

I have to leave the house perfect because I can't abide coming back from holiday to a messy house - I always book the day before we fly off work so I can do all the last minute packing; clean the house; change the sheets and get them washed and dried; clear out the fridge of perishable stuff; shower/bath before clean PJs and bed. If I have enough time in the morning those towels/PJs will then go on a quick wash and hung on the airer to dry before we leave and I'll bung a younger cousin £20 to pop in a few times to check on the place while I'm away and ask them to take them off the airer when they're dry and just leave them folded on the side. Washing up gets done and put away before bed and then breakfast the following day is usually a cereal bar/fruit while getting ready at home just to keep us going and then indulging in a big breakfast at the airport to officially begin the holiday.

*"posted" not opted

melj1213
Almost exactly what I do before a holiday. I'd hate to come back to a mess - washing the contents of the suitcases is all I want to have to do.

I wouldn't dream of cleaning someone else's manky kitchen; them feeling judged wouldn't form any part of the reason either.
It's totally grim that they left it like that knowing you'd be coming in.

The cats won't give a shit

I would clean it (and think they were gross even for my low standards lol) because I would feel it was the right thing to do.

I wouldn't mention it though unless they said something first.

Eww, the manky buggers.

I think this is a ridiculous suggestion. Why are the British so self-effacing?

If you can be bothered, clean it. That's kind. No need to mention it.

If they know you, they'll know whether you're the judgey kind of not (I think you are not). That's what they'll respond to.

Your neighbours are disgusting. Those poor animals.

In the responses here, judginess seems independent of the choice of action. There are judgey people saying both clean it and leave it, ew. Non-judgey people of both kinds too.

Flies are cats' playthings.

Personally I would be so grateful if someone did this for me