To expect my PIL to put their plates in the dishwasher?

[FlopemOut]

PIL arrived boxing day, DH and I had our hands full cooking lunch for 9 people whilst also looking after DS (2.8) who has flu and DD (4m) who has a cold and EBF. Am I being unreasonable to expect them to put their mugs and plates in dishwasher? Really, is that too much to ask? I feel like I have 4 children to look after. Roll on tomorrow when they leave...

DH hates anyone going near the dishwasher as he likes to laod it in a anal certain way. He would hate someone putting their plates in.

SHodan, my mum has a dishwasher that she never uses. Yesterday, she washed up in full martyr mode (wouldn't let anyone help). She complains that the dishwasher takes 'too long' to run through the cycle.
Mmmm - I find I can use that time quite easily - it's not like you have to stand and watch the bloody thing!

I did tell her she could cook a salmon in it though - now that brought a gleam to her eye!!

I think its very unreasonable to expect guests to do the housework. Any of it.