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 have a kingsize bed but only use one pillow

Well, yes, I checked when I took on my own place where bills are inclusive that the LL cannot tell me how to use electricity and gas. He has to take the risk.

However, here it's not just about money. It's also about what you consider reasonable and running a machine with one pair of shorts in it isn't reasonable. I think she can at least ask him.

4-5 loads a week for one person is ridiculous, as is washing one item on its own. I bet he wouldn’t do that if he was paying the bills.

"I have a kingsize bed but only use one pillow"

Normal because you only have one head. I do use two pillows because I sometimes put one on top of the other to read, but nobody needs four per person.

How is 5 loads a week not a lot for a single person? I do roughly 2 loads a week for 2 people. One coloured clothes, one sheets/towels and whites.

5 loads for one bloke is basically one wash per one and a half outfits!

My partner is like this but he’s 71 so he won’t change now.

ridiculous
He lives there and is entitled to do as many loads as he needs. I do more than 3 a week.

HOWEVER one load for an item is ridiculous and that you can tell him that's it's not ok

Washing 4/5 loads a week, let alone a single pair of shorts, then using the tumble dryer in a heatwave is not "reasonable use of the facilities".

OP hasn’t mentioned the tumble dryer. She said spin dryer - which is an automatic part of every cycle.

Bloody hell! When do you run it?!

I will agree that the single shorts is excessive, but 4-5 loads is still within a normal range even if it is on the higher side.

I do about 10 a week for a family of four and a dog.

OP hasn’t mentioned the tumble dryer. She said spin dryer - which is an automatic part of every cycle

He is using the tumble dryer too. I think his use of the facilities is unreasonable.

If you truly think he is being unreasonable you should have a conversation with him. He might change his habits, he might not.

I think you'll find that most lodgers will come with habits you don't necessarily agree with, the next one might have long showers or baths or want the heating very warm or leave the windows open in winter for ventilation.

Nice drip feed.

That does sound more of a habit he has than necessity, especially if it's one pair of shorts on its own, so you're not being unreasonable at all to want to say something. I think the easiest way in is to keep it practical rather than personal, so maybe mention that with water and electric costs the way they are you'd really appreciate it if he could try to batch things into one or two fuller loads a week rather than lots of small ones, and frame it as something you're asking of the household in general rather than singling him out. If it helps take the awkwardness out of it you could even suggest set days for laundry between you, so it just becomes a normal arrangement rather than a telling off, and most lodgers would rather have that clarity than feel like they're annoying you every time they go near the machine. Good luck.

I live on my own in my house and do maximum 2 loads a week.
My nhs uniform has to be put on the hottest wash on its own. I have a tunic and trousers for everyday of the week, sweaty gym stuff and I wear clothes more than once.

Mine does this when I try and out just the bathroom mat in. I have been wondering why it kept doing it

Wow. I have a ring washing machine a 10 minute cycle. I wash everyday and wouldn’t consider anything less. Underwear and towels are washed daily along with anything else that needs washing.

I probably do 3-4 loads a week as a single person and I’m not one for washing stuff after one use (sports wear/knickers excluded!)

work clothes
gym clothes
bath mats
towels (bath, hand, tea towels) and flannels
cloths, reusable mop pads
bedding (super king)
pjs
weekend clothes/not work clothes
blankets/throws/cushion covers

all need washing

I live on my own. I do two loads a week.

Aren't you the OP? Why are you speaking about the OP in third person as if you're a separate person? I'm confused.

@IronEverything That's just a gentle cool cycle. The expectation is still that the machine has multiple garments in it. If you have a dishwasher, would you put it on with one mug in it, just because you wanted to use the same mug in a couple of hours time?

@cordelia16 the first sentence was a quite from another poster, and the second sentence was OP replying.

Ah! That makes sense! All the text being in the same box/same font confused me.

Thank you.