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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked 1st world problems here

239 replies

Babsexxx · 18/02/2023 15:07

Our tumble dryer packed up so me and hubs made a dash to the launderette stuck our clothes on 45 minutes, left thinking nothing really of it we went to do some shopping that took around 50 to find someone had removed all our washing from the tumble dryer?!!

What! We wernt running massively over time and this launderette is not overly even use, It wasn’t even fully dried could of done with maybe ten more minutes! The only thing I can think of is us using “the big tumble dryer” but would you seriously remove anyones clothes at the launderette?!??

Maybe it’s been a while for me but it wouldn’t really enter my mind to touch anyone else’s stuff!

OP posts:
Liz1tummypain · 18/02/2023 15:09

Yes it happens all the time. Sorry OP

Hillrunning · 18/02/2023 15:12

Of course people will move your items out, you paid for 45 minutes once that's over its available for anyone else to use.

Bonjovispjs · 18/02/2023 15:13

This is quite common I think, I've had it done to me too. If you're not there at exactly the moment a machine/dryer finishes and someone is waiting to use them, then people will remove them. I've seen staff do it too.

fairgame84 · 18/02/2023 15:14

That's normal in a laundrette.

Bonjovispjs · 18/02/2023 15:15

Also meant to say, it doesn't bother me. I'm quite happy for someone to remove them if I'm a couple of minutes late.

Sprogonthetyne · 18/02/2023 15:15

They could have already been waiting nearly 45 minutes, how long would you expect them to stand around waiting while the dryer was not in use.

MarshaMelrose · 18/02/2023 15:16

If the programme you set had finished, of course they'll remove your stuff. They don't know when you're planning on coming back.

Chowtime · 18/02/2023 15:17

I always used to take peoples clothes out if they were in the machine not going round and I needed to use it. Never occured to me anyone would care to be honest.

KattyKattyKatz · 18/02/2023 15:17

Where did they put your items OP ? If they put them back into your bag or wash basket then yes that's ok but if they just dumped them on the floor then no

Luredbyapomegranate · 18/02/2023 15:18

I haven’t often used one but this is what I would expect would happen. Your time is up, you aren’t there to negotiate an extensive so someone else will move in.

Why should they waste their time waiting for you?

Original poster
Babsexxx · 18/02/2023 15:22

I Just wouldn’t think for a second that anyone would touch anyone else’s washing! That’s crazy to me!

OP posts:
Greenshake · 18/02/2023 15:23

Why are you so incensed over this?

Original poster
Babsexxx · 18/02/2023 15:23

It was literally minutes though not hours! And the launderette was empty pretty much?! There was other dryers to use.

OP posts:
Mercurial123 · 18/02/2023 15:24

YABVU you expect people to wait around for you? You could have been gone for hours. If you are so annoyed, either you or your husband should have waited at the launderette or came back before the 45 minutes to check if your clothes needed more time to dry

HoldingTheDoor · 18/02/2023 15:24

I would yes. I waited half an hour at an outdoor washing machine and dryer before and there was a queue at my back. They still didn't show so I put their stuff in a bag and left it there. It was clean and dry. I discovered that she regularly went to work and left her stuff in the machines. I won't be doing that again. 10 minutes max.

I think it's incredibly rude not to time your return with the machine and leave other people waiting and that 5 minutes leeway is enough.

Original poster
Babsexxx · 18/02/2023 15:25

Because why would anyone touch anyone else’s washing maybe that

OP posts:
Musicsoundsbetter22 · 18/02/2023 15:26

Maybe turn up on time when it’s due for finishing? Then no one would have to touch it?

2bazookas · 18/02/2023 15:26

I would, and did, to free up a machine I needed, when some absent owner had left their clothes in it , cycle over.

Original poster
Babsexxx · 18/02/2023 15:26

Really 5 minutes lol

OP posts:
HoldingTheDoor · 18/02/2023 15:27

Because why would anyone touch anyone else’s washing maybe that

Because it's rude to keep others waiting. Your time is no more important than theirs. It's also very inconsiderate to the laundrette owners.

LonginesPrime · 18/02/2023 15:28

It was literally minutes though not hours!

Yes, but they didn't know when you were coming back, did they? Only you knew you were just on your way back.

You can't expect people to be psychic and I'm sure they wouldn't want to deal with a stranger's laundry if they didn't have to - it's much easier if people can take their own stuff out so I'm sure they didn't enjoy you getting back late any more than you did.

Original poster
Babsexxx · 18/02/2023 15:28

It was 5 minutes not 5 hours if no one read my op it’s stated this is not a busy launderette! At all literally lots of other tumble dryers available

OP posts:
MockneyReject · 18/02/2023 15:28

Babsexxx · 18/02/2023 15:26

Really 5 minutes lol

But the person/people waiting didn't know that. For all they knew, you might have been hours.

Undertheoldlindentree · 18/02/2023 15:28

Yes, this is standard practice. There's a lot of demand for the big dryers (more cost effective for larger loads) and somone who has been waiting ages for one is not going to sit and twiddle their thumbs while you and your DH finish your shopping or have a coffee. You need to put in extra £ if you think you're going to be away a while. Or come back earlier!

In our launderette it would be taken out into a basket and shoved to one side, so you also lose the benefit of folding straight from the machine and end up with more creases.

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 18/02/2023 15:28

OK, so apparently there is a whole turf war thing going on at a laundrettes.

I found this out when my grandad moved in to an independent living facility and had to use the nearby laundrette as there were rules around no dryers.

He actually had another octogenarian throwing a punch at him over some removed laundry (other man removed it). Luckily my grandad was about 6’5”, healthy and and stocky and this other bloke was something of a pipsqueak so grandad barely felt a thing. Apparently arguments and disagreements are common and people are very possessive. I thought it was hilarious 🤣