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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to shut off downstairs toilet

197 replies

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 10:07

It’s next to the kitchen. You have to walk through the kitchen to get to it. I hate it. I’ve tried telling everyone in the house it’s not to be used for no2s because I think it’s bloody gross. But the kids don’t always listen and quite frankly I just don’t want it there anymore. We have a perfectly good bathroom upstairs. 9 people in our house though which does make me question in a bit. We’re renting so can’t get rid of it altogether but we also have zero storage in this house so we could use it for that. What do you guys think? Would I be silly to just shut it off? Honestly the fact it’s next to the kitchen winds me up

OP posts:
WinterMusings · 18/03/2023 11:42

Daisydu · 18/03/2023 10:44

No it’s like an extension off the kitchen so unfortunately not…

kids range from 15 down to 2! We want to move house but where we live it’s a nightmare finding anywhere.

Show quote history

@Daisydu that's a shame!

it's a nightmare to move here too renting or buying.

There's just nothing coming up, the few things still listed (handful to buy, about 2 to rent) are ridiculous prices. Friend in HA keeps moaning about the rental going up. They were told 3 years ago when they moved in, no rises in rent for 5 years, but 2 weeks after they moved in, got a schedule if rises for the next 5 years! Usual 2-3% but recent ruse is 7%. He's passed off. But I've tried explaining private rent is much higher & less secure. Plus there's nothing available!!! A couple of 2beds, no garden, no parking etc for double what he pays for parking, 3 bed, garden etc.

he can't see he's got a good deal, only that it's £150 more than he was paying when he moved in & he can afford it!

Actually just had a look -today there are 3 studio places available £950 £950 £1050

its MADNESS!!

Good Luck finding what you need!

in the meantime, just keep sending the little monsters upstairs unless they 100% sure they just need a wee!!

Caspianberg · 18/03/2023 11:45

You can get a window lock so it only opens a cm as is locked shut

Incognito2023 · 18/03/2023 11:45

“If it's about smells get some poo pouri or similar”

not sure if that was a typo or intentional but really tickled me 🤣🤣

Rosula · 18/03/2023 11:46

kitsuneghost · 18/03/2023 11:16

People managed for years with 9 people 1 toilet. This toilet per person is a relatively new phenomenon

And people used to use pots under the bed and pee in the streets. It's all pretty irrelevant to this situation, isn't it?

TheGoogleMum · 18/03/2023 11:49

I couldn't go down to 1 toilet only for a family of 3 nevermind 9!

Original poster
Daisydu · 18/03/2023 11:53

Trying to answer everyone. We have 3 bedrooms. 7 kids. Nope not ideal but is what it is, can’t find anywhere else at the moment. And before people ask why have so many kids in a smaller house, 4 of them came to us through social services, we didn’t know we were going to have them full time until it happened. The bedrooms are big luckily so we have made it work, but yeah not ideal.

the cat, well he’s my husbands. He likes him so he stays.

and we’re all open plan downstairs so literally nowhere to shut him in, and even if we did he would trash that room so I think he can cope outside for an hour at meal times 🙄.

and nope, my wants don’t overrule everyone else, hence me making this thread… like I’ve said a few times… I realise I am being unreasonable to block it off. Christ.

OP posts:
manictuesday · 18/03/2023 11:53

Incognito2023 · 18/03/2023 11:45

“If it's about smells get some poo pouri or similar”

not sure if that was a typo or intentional but really tickled me 🤣🤣

it wasn't a typo by poster - I've used that product before at a friend's house. Smells amazing. You put it in pre-poo 😂

Original poster
Daisydu · 18/03/2023 11:54

And I have a room divider to stop 2 year old going In kitchen so I can stop him going to the bathroom so that shoudlnt be an issue.

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 18/03/2023 11:55

Won’t you need 2 year old to use that bathroom the most from anyone? Toilet training toddlers running up and down
stairs isn’t fun

Original poster
Daisydu · 18/03/2023 11:57

Caspianberg · 18/03/2023 11:55

Won’t you need 2 year old to use that bathroom the most from anyone? Toilet training toddlers running up and down
stairs isn’t fun

Yeah but he will use a potty probably so not too much of an issue but yeah I know what you’re saying

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 18/03/2023 11:58

Even if toddle uses a potty, that will be in the toilet surely? Not the main open plan room? Otherwise poop smells worse than now

premicrois · 18/03/2023 12:00

I think it's really weird to tell people they can't use a functional toilet. If a kid need to poo and someone is in the upstairs then of course they should use the other toilet.

i can’t explain why but it grosses me out.

I think that's something you just need to accept or get over tbh, it a toilet, that's all.

Original poster
Daisydu · 18/03/2023 12:00

Caspianberg · 18/03/2023 11:58

Even if toddle uses a potty, that will be in the toilet surely? Not the main open plan room? Otherwise poop smells worse than now

Not sure yet will cross that bridge when I get there, as he’s not ready so not an issue right now. He’s only just turned 2 so not in rush.

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 18/03/2023 12:01

Air freshener, possibly the door closer as suggested, but no way should you only have one toilet for 9 people. Young children especially don't think to go to the toilet until it must be now, you'd have more washing were that the case.

Original poster
Daisydu · 18/03/2023 12:01

premicrois · 18/03/2023 12:00

I think it's really weird to tell people they can't use a functional toilet. If a kid need to poo and someone is in the upstairs then of course they should use the other toilet.

i can’t explain why but it grosses me out.

I think that's something you just need to accept or get over tbh, it a toilet, that's all.

i Do think it’s something I need to get over. It doesn’t gross everyone else out only me! I’m really bad about it, maybe I need therapy.

OP posts:
Blossomtoes · 18/03/2023 12:02

latetothefisting · 18/03/2023 10:41

But it's really really common to have a downstairs bathroom accessed via the kitchen, particularly in older houses.

There are building regs in place now that mean there has to be at least one other door between the kitchen and bathroom but they aren't backdated so there are millions of houses with a bathroom after the kitchen.

I think you just have to get over this. As long as people are washing their hands and the door is closed what's the issue? The alternative of having 9 people using 1 bathroom when you have another one available is ridiculous.

This. Except the two door rule in building regs has now been scrapped. One of my houses had the bathroom with the only loo off the kitchen.

PonkyPonky · 18/03/2023 12:10

Got rid of our downstairs loo last year for similar reasons plus it was plumbed in badly by previous owners and would have cost a lot to put right. There are 5 of us and it’s probably an issue once a week or so when more than one person desperately needs the loo. With 9 of you, I wouldn’t do it.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 18/03/2023 12:11

The only bathroom and toilet in our house is downstairs and off the kitchen.

It's fine - just shut the door afterwards.

Q2C4 · 18/03/2023 12:11

www.aesop.com/uk/p/home/home-formulations/post-poo-drops/
You could try some of these....

drpet49 · 18/03/2023 12:13

2 toilets for 9 people isn’t enough let alone 1!

Blossomtoes · 18/03/2023 12:14

Q2C4 · 18/03/2023 12:11

You can’t get them any more. 😢 Apparently a complaint was made about them in Australia and they stopped making them. I’m so upset, I really like them and dreading my bottle running out.

Oopsididitagaintomorrow · 18/03/2023 12:17

Ours is next to the kitchen, kind of, there's a small corridor and the kitchen and toilet door between it and kitchen.

It's an absolute when we have friends around as I don't have to worry about people traipsing up and down the stairs x

FourFour · 18/03/2023 12:18

Glitteratitar · 18/03/2023 10:49

I agree, I absolutely hate it when the toilet is through the kitchen. When we were looking for a house I refused to even see any where you had to walk through the kitchen to get to the toilet.

But there are 9 of you. You need more than 2 toilets as it is. To block of one is bonkers I’m afraid.

I did the exact same! Turned down a very nice place due to the location of the toilets. But unfortunately with 9 people it will be tough to ban it.

statetrooperstacey · 18/03/2023 12:20

Teach them to do a courtesy flush , works very well, so does that vi-poo stuff,

quietnightmare · 18/03/2023 12:24

If the kids can't listen then ban the kids from the downstairs toilet

Storage wise have a look on Pinterest about simple and cheap storage ideas