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Original poster

Our nanny seems to have been using our tumble dryer...

83 replies

PacificDogwood · 01/11/2013 21:28

She has been working for us for 2 years.
She's had some upset in her personal life in the last few months which she has kept close to her chest as is her right of course.

On 3 or 4 occasions now I have noticed that the tumble dryer is still warm when I come in, there had been none of our laundry to be done and the fluff filter was thickly coated in fluff including what I can only assume is dog hair (we have no pets, she has a dog and a cat). I empty the fluff filter after each use so have a fair idea what is usually in there.

Now, if she has a problem getting stuff done at home, I'd be happy for her to use our appliances (we are trying to reduce electricity bills and I only use the tumble dryer for a few minutes to fluff things up and then hang everything on our ceiling pulley thing, but hey ho, if she is stuck I'd be happy to help).

It's the fact she's not asked that does not sit right with me Sad.
And I don't know how to approach this: "According to our fluff filter you have had unauthorised use of the dryer"?? Blush

Any words of advice?

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ExitPursuedByABogieMan · 01/11/2013 21:30

I should confront her with the evidence.

Garner your fluff balls.

Sparklysilversequins · 01/11/2013 21:30

It would not occur to me to mind about this.

dyslexicdespot · 01/11/2013 21:31

Ask her to empty the fluff filter after she uses the dryer and never mention it again. Assuming that you really are happy to allow her to use it.

Artandco · 01/11/2013 21:32

Hmm as a nanny it would never occur to me to ask tbh. I mean I would usually ask or mention it in passing but my employers would look at me like I was bonkers for asking permission to use the machine. ( same employers 6 years)

Catsby · 01/11/2013 21:33
Grin

I get your point that it would have been the polite thing to do to ask, but you're right, how on earth do actually ask her about it without brandishing the fluff filter?

You might just have to bite the bullet and say that you've noticed it's still warm and ask if she's used it, but that you don't mind if she has.

Then again, if you're going to say keep on using it, it seems a bit of a pointless conversation...

pepperrabbit · 01/11/2013 21:36

Assuming she doesn't live in, she's specifically bringing her washing to your house to do during the day?
After 2 years I'd be a bit surprised she hadn't asked.
You may just have to ask her directly?

Jollyb · 01/11/2013 21:37

I think it's a bit cheeky to dry your own laundry in someone else's tumble dryer without asking.

Maybe you could buy her a Lakeland airer for Christmas

HeyJudith · 01/11/2013 21:38

You could mention that you've found quite a lot of what looks like pet hair in the tumble dryer and does she know anything about it? See what she says to that. If she denies then she'll know you know and be more careful not to use it, if she admits you can say that you don't mind occasional use of course but you have a bit of a personal thing about using the dryer as little as possible due to cost/environment so would she mind very much if it's just very essential drying only :)

If she's a good nanny then I would turn a blind eye to a bit of tumble drying but keep an eye on your electricity bill of course just in case (for all you know) she is using your dryer to complete her laundry during the day.

Could it be that she is drying a coat or cardigan or scarf etc if she's been caught in a drizzle whilst out with your DC ? (maybe)

ReetPetit · 01/11/2013 21:46

sorry if this sounds odd but why would she bring her washing to yours and dry it there? is she also using the washing machine? if she was really hard up wouldn't she be also raiding your cupboards? Hmm

it does sound a bit petty and mean spirited to bring it up imo - I agree with HeyJudith that she could be drying her cardigan/coat/scarf etc after being out in the rain with your dc.

Lol at 'Garner your fluff balls' Grin

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 01/11/2013 21:50

Oh, thank you all - fast replies.

She does not live-in and comes by car.

I like the suggestion of simply asking her to empty the fluff filter and leaving it at that.

Grin @ 'Garner your fluff balls' - you should see the shere size of them!! Good 1+cm of fluff thickness after I had emptied the filter yesterday.

OP posts:
BrianTheMole · 01/11/2013 21:51

It is cheeky if she's bringing her clothes there to dry. They're not cheap to run. Occasionally is fine, but on a regular basis, without asking, not fine. Is she using your washer too then? I would say something to her.

ReetPetit · 01/11/2013 21:52

maybe she's drying the dog Wink

FunkyFucker · 01/11/2013 21:53

How about 'are you ok? Is there anything we can do to help?'

ExitPursuedByABogieMan · 01/11/2013 21:55

Do you not see her dragging huge bags of wet washing in?

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 01/11/2013 21:56

maybe she's drying the dog - May be she is ShockWink - case for the RSPCA, then.

How about 'are you ok? Is there anything we can do to help?' - I have asked, repeatedly. Sat down with a cup of tea and a chat. She is not keen to share - fairenuff.

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Original poster
PacificDogwood · 01/11/2013 21:58

Formally, she is employed as 'nanny and housekeeper' - she has 2-3 hrs every day when she is without any kids and does some cleaning/laundry/empties the dishwasher for us. So I don't really know what she does in that time.

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 01/11/2013 22:08

Sounds like she is using it to do personal stuff

Weird she hasn't asked. I've used works washing machine and dryer before but asked / as was without as broke and another time when had kitchen done - and family didn't mind

Same as I took their washing home and did it when their machine literally blew up - Big Bang and smoke !!!

Sounds like she's is struggling and maybe she is trying to be professional by not confiding to you - maybe had spilt with boyfriend etc

You could ask her or simply say you've noticed electricity bill has gone up and could she hang our most clothes rather then use dryer

or remove the fuse

FunnyRunner · 01/11/2013 22:14

TBH I would be royally pissed off if someone I employed came to my house and brought their bloody laundry, specifically to dry it at my expense without asking. I would be doubly pissed if I wasn't using my own tumble dryer because I couldn't afford it! Some of you are very generous to your nannies (real or hypothetical)!

notagiraffe · 01/11/2013 22:15

Are you sure she isn't washing your DC's stuff in it? The nannies I know have duties that include being in charge of all the kids' laundry too.

BettyBotter · 01/11/2013 22:17

I think I'd just let her do it. Perk of the job kind of thing - just like those of us who work in offices may sometimes use the office phone for personal calls and those of us who work on a biscuit factory get to take home the broken ones.

I guess she's on a lowish wage and doesn't have her own tumble. Be generous and turn a blind eye.

Rosa · 01/11/2013 22:18

Stick a post it saying "out of order until further notice "

Original poster
PacificDogwood · 01/11/2013 22:21

She does ALL our laundry as the need arises - as do I on the days I am off. We are a family of 6, the washing machine is on every day or more often to do towels/bed linen.
Even 2 loads of towels do not generate the amount of fluff I've found - more than once.

I do think it's her own stuff, or maybe blankets or something?? The animal hair is v obvious.

She is not a young girl, she has adult children and her H has left her. She is still in their flat, but I am not sure that she stays there much as she seems to spend a lot of time at her mother's - I have no idea what the 'facilities' are like there. If her WM/TT are broken/not available/exH has taken them away, I'd be happy to help her out. If she reckons "Better on their bill than mine" then I am not quite so happy.... We can afford our fuel bill, it's huge (old, drafty house), so I don't want to add to it unnecessarily.

Oh, gah. I don't want to be an unassertive wimp and don't want to be confrontational either. I don't feel I can say nothing.

OP posts:
Original poster
PacificDogwood · 01/11/2013 22:23

maybe she is trying to be professional by not confiding to you - that is what I am wondering/worrying about

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 01/11/2013 22:29

Some nannies /employers are very friendly

Some are more employee /employer
Basis iyswim

When I had troubles with dh I confided to my employers - I said that xyz had happened but that I would carry on doing my job as well as I could and would try and not let my personal life affect my professional life

They were very supportive

Maybe your nanny is tryin to cope as best as she can under the circumstances - is the tumble dryer a new thing - possibly since she left dh?

ExitPursuedByABogieMan · 01/11/2013 22:30

The amount of fluff in my drier astounds me.

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