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Original poster

To want to cry at my sister's washing?

287 replies

summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:08

She has three girls and is currently on holiday with them. I'm house sitting until next weekend and there's washing everywhere. I've filled four ikea bags and still have a pile that's filled the bath. I'm planning to get it washed and dried for her but I'm honestly looking at the pile and don't know where to start. She has a washer dryer and it's taking ages per load (no laundries around here, just forecourt washers that are like £10 a wash!)

No she hasn't asked me specifically to do it but she was complaining about the state of her house last week so I know she won't mind. She's been struggling with her MH lately and having it looming over her can't be helping! And she's starting a new full time job next week so if I leave it it'll never get done!

OP posts:
Copperoliverbear · 30/06/2024 21:53

Maybe you could also do her a rota of things she needs to do daily like, one of two loads of washing, clean the toilet ect, wash up, hoover
Weekly: Polish, change the beds.
Once a fortnight: skirting boards Doors ect.
Every two months: windows, oven.
This sort of thing x

Shybutrude · 30/06/2024 21:54

@FriendofDorothy if you read the thread you would know the sister is on holiday.....

DiscoBeat · 30/06/2024 21:55

It's lovely of you. But please only do the rooms she would expect you to be in. Leave the bedrooms.

ItsbecauseofWhirlJack · 30/06/2024 21:59

Copperoliverbear · 30/06/2024 21:53

Maybe you could also do her a rota of things she needs to do daily like, one of two loads of washing, clean the toilet ect, wash up, hoover
Weekly: Polish, change the beds.
Once a fortnight: skirting boards Doors ect.
Every two months: windows, oven.
This sort of thing x

The sister hasn’t even asked her to the washing. OP is just supposed to be house sitting. Maybe drawing up a rota might be overstepping a bit.

Original poster
summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 22:01

ItsbecauseofWhirlJack · 30/06/2024 21:44

OP, are you absolutely sure your sister won’t mind you using so much electricity?
load after load of washing and using heated airer etc I know you mean well but what if she gets a big electric bill and isn’t happy? Maybe part of the reason the washing has piled up is because she’s trying to keep her bill down.

The heated airer isn't plugged in. 😊

Cost isn't an issue 😊

OP posts:
FriendofDorothy · 30/06/2024 22:02

Shybutrude · 30/06/2024 21:54

@FriendofDorothy if you read the thread you would know the sister is on holiday.....

Sorry I did read quite a bit of the thread but must have missed that comment.... so thanks for your help.

Copperoliverbear · 30/06/2024 22:03

@ItsbecauseofWhirlJack
She is her sister I don't see it as overstepping I see it as helping her to get out of a rut and on the road to keeping on top of things.
If you watch those cleaning programmes a lot of them leave them a rota.
I know she didn't ask her but she knows her sister and probably knows she will.

CharlotteBog · 30/06/2024 22:05

summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:24

Washer pic.

I tried the fast 15 but nothing felt very clean so have gone for the mix which is the next shortest at 2 ish hours.

  • [Pic removed by MNHQ at OP's request]

Is there anything under 'options'?

It's kind of you to get through all the washing. With 3 children it can build up really quickly.

Copperoliverbear · 30/06/2024 22:06

@summeroccupation you seem to be getting on top of the washing, she probably needs to start doing two loads a day herself to keep on top of it all.
Keep up the good work and keep us posted as you are going through the house so we can see how you are getting on. X

43percentburnt · 30/06/2024 22:07

Hang tshirt/dresses/skirts/jumpers etc straight onto hangers on the doorframe of the doors. They will dry overnight and easy to put away.

Riversideandrelax · 30/06/2024 22:08

That's lovely, I'm sure your sister will really appreciate it.

We have a mini launderette up the road at the petrol station. As I don't have a tumble dryer I do sometimes use the tumble dryer there. It is massive so I can get 3 loads in it!

ActivePeony · 30/06/2024 22:13

OhBumBags · 30/06/2024 20:10

Just separate them into wash loads and let the machine do the rest 🤷‍♀️

Yep. It's not hard.

thesummerIturnedtoredbull · 30/06/2024 22:14

What are they wearing if they have that much clothing dirty? Can’t be short of money.

Youdontevengohere · 30/06/2024 22:18

thesummerIturnedtoredbull · 30/06/2024 22:14

What are they wearing if they have that much clothing dirty? Can’t be short of money.

The OP didn’t say her sister was short of money 🤷🏻‍♀️

SirQuintusAureliusMaximus · 30/06/2024 22:19

If cost isn't an issue, there are services that will collect your washing and return it washed and ironed which could be an option for part of it?

Ophy83 · 30/06/2024 22:20

It's so lovely that you are doing the washing and cleaning! I'd be wary of giving her advice on culling clothes etc though as she may feel you're judging her

betterangels · 30/06/2024 22:20

Adviceneeeeded · 30/06/2024 20:32

@Icantremembermyusername I agree. You put it on an extra spin/drain @Viscoelasticity cuts drying time massively as it squeezes out a bit more water and moisture

I always do this now. Surprised me how much it cut time in the dryer.

thesummerIturnedtoredbull · 30/06/2024 22:21

Youdontevengohere · 30/06/2024 22:18

The OP didn’t say her sister was short of money 🤷🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

No I know, but just reflecting on the amount of clothes they must have.

And the sister could perhaps outsource their washing if she has the money but no time.

thesummerIturnedtoredbull · 30/06/2024 22:22

SirQuintusAureliusMaximus · 30/06/2024 22:19

If cost isn't an issue, there are services that will collect your washing and return it washed and ironed which could be an option for part of it?

Exactly.

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 30/06/2024 22:22

@summeroccupation washer dryers only ever manage to dry around half of what they wash! you have to remove half the washing to dry and then put the second half in to dry before you can get the next wash load on!

GingerScallop · 30/06/2024 22:26

OhBumBags · 30/06/2024 20:10

Just separate them into wash loads and let the machine do the rest 🤷‍♀️

@summeroccupation this. and remember you dont have to do it all in one day. may be set a target of 2 or 3 washes per day

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/06/2024 22:27

It's got a quick 15

Eco are usually 2/3hrs as low power but take ages

AliceMcK · 30/06/2024 22:27

Op my parents did this for me when I had small kids, coming off holiday to a clean house and zero washing was absolutely amazing. I’m NT and no reason other than standard life with 2 young dc was my excuse. Plus I have a terrible habit of not saying no to free toys and clothes. I was overflowing with stuff I wasn’t able to stay on top of it.

It was a bonus my parents were both completely obsessive neat and clean freaks, any sign of clutter or even one item waiting to be washed would drive them nuts, so being in my house was hell for them, they had to clean 😝

Mummy2024 · 30/06/2024 22:28

summeroccupation · 30/06/2024 20:08

She has three girls and is currently on holiday with them. I'm house sitting until next weekend and there's washing everywhere. I've filled four ikea bags and still have a pile that's filled the bath. I'm planning to get it washed and dried for her but I'm honestly looking at the pile and don't know where to start. She has a washer dryer and it's taking ages per load (no laundries around here, just forecourt washers that are like £10 a wash!)

No she hasn't asked me specifically to do it but she was complaining about the state of her house last week so I know she won't mind. She's been struggling with her MH lately and having it looming over her can't be helping! And she's starting a new full time job next week so if I leave it it'll never get done!

I have the same trouble... not 4 ikea bags and a bath tub full but I have alot and it's hard to keep up. We both work full time and have a few kids.I also have a washer dryer, it's difficult. The solution is to use it on a wash only cycle, they all have these. Buy a cheap 3 tier airer from Asda or Tesco and wash a load place it on that, wash the next load and put it on a washing line... put one up if she doesn't have one. You can do 3 loads a day if the sun's out... sometimes 4 on a quick wash.

Google the make and model to find out how to use wash only. Will save her a fortune in electric aswell

Whattodo112222 · 30/06/2024 22:29

I'd be minded to take the whole lot to the launderette and let them deal with it.. if you can afford to.