AIBU to ask my lodger to cut down on washing machine use?

[Member869894]

More of a WWYD really and I'm aware this is a first world problem. I have a lodger. He's nice enough but he uses the washing machine 4-5 times a WEEK. This morning I've come downstairs to a lone pair of shorts in there swishing around.
I'm not good at confrontation. How do i broach this without offending him?

I suppose I should be glad he's clean...

Oh absolutely tell him a pair of shorts ! My god im twitching just thinking about a pair of shorts.

Doesn’t need to be a confrontation.
just suggest he saves his washing to do a full load which is more economical - there’s a cost in terms of water and electricity plus detergent and I’m sure he’s aware of cost of living stuff
just mention and ask him to do the above
if there’s a single item to wash he can hand wash

`Tell him that the washing machine is to be used for full loads and not single items.

Maybe use the current water shortages as a reason?
Tell him you are very much against waste ( power and water) ?
I don't think it's an unreasonable ask at all

I think it's fair that you ask him to consider whether it's necessary to machine wash for ess than half a load. If it's a single item could hw hand-wash instead

I would say you are doing up a rota to save on water as you are noticing a pattern of single item being in the machine. How do you normally communicate with him ?

Tell him straight one load a week of outer clothes and one load of underwear sheets and towels on hot wash at 60 degrees. That's it. Any more and it's £1 per wash.

I mean just this!

I’d be very unhappy with that and would tell him to only use the machine when he has a full load. One item is frankly obscene.

Hmm if his rent includes electricity (?) I’m not sure you can say anything really even though a pair of shorts is bonkers!

He can seek out a laundromat.
Washing machine for full loads and his allocated times are xxxxxxxxx.

Depending on what’s in the signed agreement, probably too late for that now.

That's not really on. I would want weekly to be able to do a light load, a dark load, towels and bedding.

So was it a 2+ hour intensive wash, or a small load quick wash for 30 minutes?

I don't think washing 4-5 times a week is excessive. Washing 1 pair of shorts at a time is though.

4-5 times a week that is:
1 load of bedding
1 load of towels/gym gear
2 loads of clothing

Is he doing a quick wash or a full wash? I can imagine a scenario where he may need those shorts to be clean to wear today so puts them on a quick 20 minute wash, which isn’t unreasonable.

Upfront with the lodger. Deep breath and politely but firmly - say -
That is ridiculous. I would be asking if he knew how much it cost to run the washing machine with 1 article of clothing - water, energy costs and detergent if you are supplying it; wear and tear of your washing machine.

I would ban him from using the washing machine and unless its a full load.

I’m presuming you have a lodger to help with your budget not subsidising the lodger’s budget.

Host family for foreign language students so have experience of this situation.

Just mention the cost of water and electricity and that obviously it's not something you want to have to start charging him for. So request he tries to cut down on WM use.

If he works in a really sweaty job like a builder or chef and wears uniform, plus does sport/ exercise with a couple types of kit, wears formal stuff and casual wear when not at work? That could just about explain it.

But if he insists he needs to then you'll have to start charging him for it. Presumably he uses his own detergent? Doesn't leave stuff damp in the machine or dry things all over the house?

Our washing machine actually went funny recently because I put just 3 items in and one was heavy (a bath mat).
Normally I pack it so full the stuff in the middle is still dry (exaggeration but you get the idea) but my toddler accidentally pooed on the bath mat so it went straight with a cloth and a sock.
It just would not drain properly. We pulled it out and did all sorts of checks but then a plumber neighbour said it was just the small but heavy load - it was making it imbalanced inside so it stopped it working.
As soon as I filled it with other stuff it was fine!
Another reason not to wash tiny loads.

Thanks for all your replies. I'm usually pretty assertive and reasonable; I think its the fact that he's living in my house makes it tricky as I dont want an atmosphere. He uses the eco wash which is 2 hours long. I will say something as now Ive just gone down and on this beautiful hot sunny day the spindryer is whirring...
He works from home so doesn't do anything hot or sweaty and doesnt do sport.

I would say three loads acweek is reasonable. I wonder if he hasn’t got many clothes so needs to wash them more often.

Using the tumble dryer as well??? Omg

Good God I'm glad I don't live with some of you. Timeslots and charges to use a washing machine! When I lived alone I probably did 4-5 loads a week, darks, lights, whites, towels and tea towels, bedding. It's easy enough when you've got work clothes, outside of work clothes, pyjamas, gym clothes etc.

I think it's fair to say the machine is for full loads OP mainly due to the water shortage. Our machine has a 15 minutes refresh cycle that's just steam I think for a smaller amount of items. Does yours have a half load function? If he doesn't have lots of of clothes he might struggle to get to a big load and still have things he can wear, especially if he has specific work clothes/uniform

Under loading a washing machine is a total disregard for water and electric, it’s taking the piss

id explain that a washing machine being constantly under loaded is not good for the machine ( it’s not particularly) as is overloading. So in future you’re limiting his use of the washing machine to 2x per week for free and any additional loads to £10 each load.

that will hopefully make him realise the cost, and when it becomes his cost rather than yours he will change his habits