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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How long can you live without a washing machine?

101 replies

SamSaid · 12/05/2023 20:16

DP and I moved into our new home in March after a few months of renovations, we still don't have the utility room built and thus no washing machine / tumble dryer / freezer.

We just got engaged! AIBU to want to use the savings for a quick wedding abroad? The reason I want this is I really want to be married before having children, and I currently have a 2 year gap after finishing a round of treatment where conception isn't advised before potentially starting another which would delay TTC.

Currently we have a laundrette 5 min walk away, and my DM LOVES doing laundry (just not putting it away). Just myself & DP 100% of the time and DSD 25% of the time so not loads of laundry... and we have plenty of clothes and WFH so no rush for quick turnarounds of uniforms etc.

Wedding would push back utility by approx 12m and would be complete hopefully before baby comes.

I have always been very practical and I feel living without basic white goods could become challenging once we're settled in a bit more.

AIBU - not having a washing machine and having to use external facilities will get old very quick.

YANBU - get married and deal with the socks later...

OP posts:
WhatWeDoInTheShadow · 12/05/2023 20:42

Just get married locally and cheaply, and buy a washing machine too.

You'll want one if you're planning to start a family anyway as babies get through quite a lot of clothes (one of mine had reflux and there was a lot of laundry)!

LindorDoubleChoc · 12/05/2023 20:42

If you and DP are happy to do all laundry in the launderette - then indefinitely. Although you'll very soon spend the sort of money it would take to buy a second hand machine from FB.

Leave your laundry loving mother out of it. You're old enough to get married ffs!

NoWordForFluffy · 12/05/2023 20:42

We had to go without for about 10 days at the back end of last year. It was not fun (we did a few loads at DH's parents' house). I wouldn't have waited as long as you have now at all.

Azealeasinbloom · 12/05/2023 20:42

Realistically about 3 days without a washing machine. Longer without a dryer ( but not much, I am in Scotland)
I cannot bear the thought of imposing on my mum to do the loads upon loads of washing we create. Last time it was an issue , everything except underwear went to the cleaners for service washes.
go to the registry office, buy the washer, save up for whatever celebration you want.

Mum2jenny · 12/05/2023 20:43

Laundrettes are really not that bad if you’re either short of money or space.

Original poster
SamSaid · 12/05/2023 20:43

CatsOnTheChair · 12/05/2023 20:39

I was going to say about a week! After reading your post, I looked where the nearest laundrette was. It's nearly an hour away, on 2 busses. Only open when I'm at work, or Sat 10-2.
Get a washing machine connections plumbed in, and stick a machine in there. Get married, and start with the babies.
No freezer (tho it just needs a plug) I could deal with long term - tho the kids would hate me in the summer!
We don't have a tumble drier.
But - round here - a broken washing machine would get prioritized for replacement.

Thank you!

We could not do the garage to utility conversion for a while and have a freezer out there as there's a connecting door to the kitchen & electric... we've just been holding off for the conversion but I think a compromise is needed. Rome wasn't built in a day as they say

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 12/05/2023 20:45

SamSaid · 12/05/2023 20:41

I think this is what I'm going to have to do... we have an insulated attached garage (electric but no plumbing) which will become the utility room.

I think I might have to either pay for the plumbing as a halfway compromise so it's a garage with a washing machine in... or unplumb the dishwasher and have the washing machine under the sink in the kitchen ... and wash up as we go for a while

Thanks!

Show quote history

You have a dishwasher? Def swap it out!! Even wfh, there's 2.25 to wash up after. Unless it's corden bleu every night, it's quicker than the laundrette and cheaper.

TimesRwo · 12/05/2023 20:46

We use a laundry service for our washing, and only wash DC’s clothes at home in the washing machine. If it wasn’t for that, we won’t have used a washing machine in years.

A laundrette is a good alternative and will be a lot cheaper, so you can probably manage without a washing machine as long as you have a laundrette or laundry service.

Original poster
SamSaid · 12/05/2023 20:47

LindorDoubleChoc · 12/05/2023 20:42

If you and DP are happy to do all laundry in the launderette - then indefinitely. Although you'll very soon spend the sort of money it would take to buy a second hand machine from FB.

Leave your laundry loving mother out of it. You're old enough to get married ffs!

I do feel like I'm starting to take advantage of her kindness (I do pay her in cakes and cash!) and certainly don't want to impose indefinitely!

OP posts:
BCCGoAway · 12/05/2023 20:47

Laundrettes aren’t that bad. I used one the first few years DH and I were starting out. So I vote go get married.

ColdBanana · 12/05/2023 20:48

We had the ours out when we had the kitchen replaced. It was the FIRST thing I made them put back in!

MuffinToSeeHere · 12/05/2023 20:48

I think I might have to either pay for the plumbing as a halfway compromise so it's a garage with a washing machine in... or unplumb the dishwasher and have the washing machine under the sink in the kitchen ... and wash up as we go for a while

Crickey if you have a dishwasher just swap it out for a washing machine. Washing the dishes by hand costs nothing compared to the laundrette.

philautia · 12/05/2023 20:48

Four days before I started to show signs of unreasonable levels of stress.

Buy a washing machine, put it in your kitchen.

Buy a tumble drier and put in your garage.

Have a registry office wedding and a nice holiday.

Save your money for future maternity leave or in the event you have difficulty TTC for private treatment.

CatsOnTheChair · 12/05/2023 20:50

Oh, man. I like the dishwasher, but if it was dishwasher or washing machine, there would be absolutely no competition. Washing machine wins hands down!

Coronationstation · 12/05/2023 20:53

I had several weeks without a washing machine while for my new kitchen to be fitted and the old washing machine didn’t quite hold out long enough. I used to go the laundrette once a fortnight with a couple of big machines full of clothes, bedding and towels. That was just for one person. The worst bit was getting it all dry. I used to stick towels and sheets in the drier at the laundrette but could never get them completely dry and a lot of my normal clothes can’t be tumbled dried so I had more than I really had space for to sort when I brought it back. Oh, and also, if you work full time the laundrette only opened during “office” hours and Saturday mornings.

Thesearmsofmine · 12/05/2023 20:53

Blimey, you have a dishwasher so just swap it out? We are a family of five and no dishwasher. Washing up take a max of 10/15 mins a day and that’s with kids home all day.

MichaelAndEagle · 12/05/2023 20:54

Can't believe you have a dishwasher but no washing machine.
At age 42 I've just got my first dishwasher! But a washing machine would be number 1 appliance. I'd rather be without an oven.

Original poster
SamSaid · 12/05/2023 20:55

BCCGoAway · 12/05/2023 20:47

Laundrettes aren’t that bad. I used one the first few years DH and I were starting out. So I vote go get married.

YAAASSSS!

This is the answer I need ( probably not the answer for the ever growing pile of smellies in the laundry basket however)

OP posts:
loislovesstewie · 12/05/2023 20:57

I've just done 10 days while my kitchen was replaced. I went to the laundrette twice in that time. It's only a short walk away and frankly that was enough for me. Much easier to shove the stuff in the washer at home. I'd rather have a cheap wedding and be able to do the washing in my own home.

averylongtimeago · 12/05/2023 20:58

For crying out loud get a washer! Put it in the garage- it only needs a cold water supply and a drain. Or put it in the kitchen and manage with a bit less storage.
You don't have to buy an all singing and dancing one for ££££, you can get them secondhand (Facebook marketplace) or a basic new one.

I can guarantee that your DM will be so glad not to be doing your washing! Much as I love my adult kids, there comes a time when they should be responsible for washing their own clothes!

As for the wedding- what matters is your love for your fiancé- the destination doesn't matter, and neither does the fancy food, the posh venue, or the amount of money you spend. Good luck!

Floralnomad · 12/05/2023 20:59

Washing machine - 4/5 days
tumble dryer - 4/5 days
dishwasher - 2 days
fridge - 0 days
they are my levels of tolerance . I’d have a cheap wedding down the local registry office , you can always do a big party later .

Original poster
SamSaid · 12/05/2023 21:00

MichaelAndEagle · 12/05/2023 20:54

Can't believe you have a dishwasher but no washing machine.
At age 42 I've just got my first dishwasher! But a washing machine would be number 1 appliance. I'd rather be without an oven.

I know! We already had the dishwasher, but left the washing machine in our old flat as it was integrated... so wasn't a choice at the time of this or that, just we had a dishwasher to pop in there and washing machine was due to come shortly after the build.

Definitely going to swap it out at the end of summer I think when plodding to the laundrette on my Fridays off becomes tedious and getting clothes dry becomes harder!

OP posts:
goinginsaneinthemembrane · 12/05/2023 21:01

I spent 2 years using a laundrette and it was fucking miserable. Even worse when DD was born and I had to take her with me. It was only 5 minutes away but lugging it all in a suitcase every couple of days in the rain or the snow was utterly miserable and really expensive. Having to go to different shops first to get the right change was a ball ache as well.

Get a washing machine!

happyjules · 12/05/2023 21:02

The mere though of living without a washing machine brings me out in a cold sweat. As does having no shower or car. Flooring, an oven or fridge freezer I would much rather be without. This is why only my washing machine has a maintenance contract. I love my washing machine.

MuffinToSeeHere · 12/05/2023 21:06

Definitely going to swap it out at the end of summer I think when plodding to the laundrette on my Fridays off becomes tedious and getting clothes dry becomes harder!

The end of the summer? You'll have spent a small fortune on using the laundrette by then honestly waiting months more and chucking money away seems totally illogical for something that costs relatively little.