To ask how to handle this - sister constantly taking my clothes without asking

[FourForYouGlenCocoYouGoGlenCoco]

I live with my sister, in a house share with a couple of other people (the others are both guys).

My sister constantly takes my clothes. Sometimes I’ll notice because she’ll have something of mine hanging up in her room or I’ll see some of my clothes when she takes her clothes out the washing machine. Or sometimes I can’t find something that I know I’ve put away in my wardrobe, or I’ll just see her wearing something of mine. She takes the most random stuff too - sometimes a pricey dress, sometimes nice leggings, once or twice, she’ll take some socks.

It hasn’t happened for a few months now, but I’m packing to go away today, and have searched for a couple of things that I’ll need, and they’re not in my wardrobe where I’d expect them to be. I’ve texted her and asked her politely to return the things, but I’m getting so so frustrated! I’ve asked her politely but firmly, so so many times, and she always says sorry she won’t do it again, but then she does!!

I really don’t know how to address this. I can’t put a lock on my bedroom door (I have asked but it’s not allowed - fair enough). I feel very stuck now in terms of options. I am planning to move out, but that’s obviously a long term solution (and not happening overnight), and in the short term, is it really too much for her to stop taking my clothes? Do you have any advice for how I can handle this, please?

As it's your sister and not some random, I'd simply go into her room when she's out and take ALL her clothes and hide them and refuse to give them back till she gives you yours back.

Teach her a lesson.
A little childish? Yes.
But she won't do it again.

Put a padlock on you room door.

Simple.

Padlock on your wardrobe instead?

My older sister used to be like this growing up, with mine and my mums clothes, the only thing that stopped her was a lock on our doors. Mad it had to even get to that point...

Yell at her. If you can't yell at your sister for treating your wardrobe as an extension of her own, who can you yell at?

I would be furious with her

Just seen you're not allowed to put a lock on your room door.
So put one on your wardrobe, or put your clothes in a suitcase and lock that.

Crispy, unfortunately I can’t put a lock on my door (in a house share; have asked about the lock and not allowed) - wish I could though!

Nope. My wee sisters 32, I’ve never yet managed to stop her nicking my stuff and she’s nine doors away in her own house. I’m 36. I still nick hers too.

Oh do read the post

Ahh genius @CrispyNoodles! Thanks.

What type of handles does your wardrobe have? Maybe padlock them if possible. Or get one of those long security leads/chains, and wrap it round your entire wardrobe 😂

Any ideas about what sort of lock or padlock I could get, please? I’ve got a double wardrobe with doorknobs (pic attached).

I’ve just been having a look, and can’t find anything big/wide enough that I can fit over both doorknobs at once.

What type of handles are on you bedroom door? Are they suitable for swapping for ones that do have a lock? You could swap it out and before you leave, restore the one that your landlord had in place?

🤣🤣🤣

Unfortunately I can’t remove any of the handles or fittings in the house, as the landlord doesn’t allow this. I would if I could though! I feel like the wardrobe padlock option is the next best thing though :)

Cable ties would work there. You'd certainly know if she'd been at your wardrobe.

What about something like this OP?

www.amazon.co.uk/Urban-August-Fridge-Lock-Multi-Functional/dp/B08FQWQZ2F/ref=asc_df_B08FQWQZ2F/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=552241365059&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11218533178122052767&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045936&hvtargid=pla-1198627244373&psc=1

Some kind of tight chain which you then padlock. I would then add a message for sister like 'I asked nicely.....' 😉A few people really need it spelling out!

Bike chain?

Or this

www.clippasafe.co.uk/products/flexi-tie-cabinet-lock?gclid=CjwKCAjwwL6aBhBlEiwADycBIK3BVCUHnr51FiF1yLo8TvPya9b_-l-h0TunPCyENeFvmcL28SHUKBoCs9EQAvD_BwE

Don't laugh, but I'd use handcuffs on those knobs if you can find some small enough.

Thanks so much all for your help! I’d prefer to use a lockable padlock if I can, rather than just a baby-safe lock, to get absolute peace of mind that my sister can’t access my wardrobe at all. Unfortunately I can’t find a padlock for wardrobe door knobs annoyingly - can anyone advise? I’m very tempted by the handcuff suggestion Hollywood, as I agree it would work really well, but just worried about how it’ll look if anyone goes into my room! Ie. If landlord needs to access it for whatever reason 🤣🤣

Why don't people read 🤯

Magnetic cupboard locks - they have a key thing to release them.

www.amazon.co.uk/Magnetic-Child-Safety-Cupboards-Drawers/dp/B07CWTZLMC/ref=asc_df_B07CWTZLMC/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241119896309&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5658637834303114257&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006688&hvtargid=pla-488719025953&psc=1

I'd get one of these!

All you need is a length of chain and a padlock. Wrap the chain round the thinner bit at the rear of the wardrobe door handles, pull it tight, and then put on the padlock to keep it that way. If the chain is short enough, she won’t be able to pull it over the door knobs to open the doors.