Cat behind washing machine

[Tiddlesem]

Hello everyone, we have just adopted a nearly 1 year old kitten. She has hidden behind the washing machine in the utility room. I have put her kitty litter, food and blanket bed in there for her. I am giving her her space to get comfortable with her new surrounding.

My question is we have a lot of laundry I have a nearly 2 year old and 4 year old...I really don't want to scare the cat by using the washing machine but I need to do my laundry. I don't know how long she will stay behind there! Any tips?

If you're they desperate to do some laundry I'd either do a bit of hand washing or go to the laundrette.

My DCats did this when they were kittens and it took a few hours, but they did come out.

Another thing to try is taking the DC out and seeing if she appears when they're not around