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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

DP's household hygiene, what to do?

158 replies

IndieTara · 16/06/2019 12:17

Been with DP 5 months but have known him 15 years.
This is our second time round trying the relationship thing.
We've always had chemistry, friends have always said we should be together, we generally get on great and laugh a lot.
From a DP point of view he is caring, generous, helpful and gets on well with DD ( who he also knew already before we got together through mutual friends get togethers that kind of thing, )

12 mths after I split from now XH, DP was the first person I dated. It didn't work out because I couldn't stand his lack of hygiene/attitude to housework type stuff.
DD was only 3 at the time ( he never met her then ) but I just kept thinking that I couldn't ever take her round there because of the dirt, dust etc
To clarify it wasn't just a bit of dust, it was inches thick, the kitchen was filthy and I hated eating or drinking there.

We still saw each other occasionally over the next few years through mutual friends events
And got on fine.

This led to us having the occasional night out together purely as friends but we always had a great time. During this time we were both on OLD sites too but nothing ever worked out except bad dates!

We talked a lot about our dating disasters which eventually got me thinking that perhaps we should try again. He jumped at the idea and said that going forward I needed to make sure I communicated clearly to him anything I was unhappy about.

This time He appeared to take on board everything I said about the state of his house and how much it affected me. Plus I scrubbed his kitchen top to toe so I felt better about being there ( just once I'm not doing it again )
Since we split the first time he has acquired 2 pets as he wanted the company. This however means more dirt and smells.

Every time I go round to his now he very proudly tells me how much he's cleaned up and tidied etc but as soon as I walk through the door the first thing that hits me is thesmell of the pet food. He leaves it out all day and the pets are messy eaters so it's all over the floor.
His solution is to burn a nice smelling candle by the front door to mask the smell!

Whenever I get a glass, mug or plate out of the cupboard to use it's inevitably dirty, greasy and has bits of stuff encrusted on it. So does the cutlery. If I take something off the drainer to use that's just been washed, it's the same.

I can't use a tea towel there because they're always manky , I opened his microwave yesterday to defrost something and it was filthy.

When I stay the night the pets always jump on thé bed and therefore walk over me too.

I've communicated til I'm blue in the face about all of this but it obviously isn't a big problem for him.
I'm also not houseproud as such but my house can be untidy but it's not fundamentally dirty. Everything gets washed and washed properly.

I'm getting to the stage again that I don't want to be in his house.
( his personal hygiene is absolutely fine and clothes clean etc )

He is the loveliest man and I feel so bad for constantly bringing these things up.

OP posts:
IndieTara · 18/06/2019 08:22

I think I'm going to have to talk to him about it again. I'm losing respect for him and finding myself not wanting to go round to his, it's a turn off

OP posts:
RandomMess · 18/06/2019 09:13

That is completely understandable and reasonable.

I would tell him it's a dealbreaker and that you feel it's ridiculous telling an adult man the minimum standard of keeping his house clean to a REASONABLE standard!

Thanks
IndieTara · 18/06/2019 10:34

Yep. But not today, we're driving north for a Concert

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billy1966 · 18/06/2019 11:17

OP, YANU at all.

However, I can understand your hesitation if he's a lovely man.

I think you will just have to explain that it is not going to work out long term with you as you do feel you are loosing respect for him. How would you not. He's a man not a child.

Despite my best intentions it would totally turn me off.

It really isn't difficult to keep a house of only one person clean. Heck it's not difficult with two people if both just tidy up after themselves.

Whosorrynow · 18/06/2019 11:24

This is very tricky I would be worried that over the long term I would somehow get roped into caring for him, if something goes wrong in his life or he starts to have health problems he's going to deteriorate very quickly because he doesn't look after himself or see the need to maintain himself very much.
I don't mean that as a judgement of him, obviously he's free to live as he pleases, but he's much more likely to become a burden than is someone who takes care of their environment

happyhillock · 18/06/2019 12:23

You obviously want to stay with this man although not live with him, that's your choice, with me it just wouldn't be about his personal hygiene, kitchen and bathroom hygiene matter to me, washing hands after the loo, and before touching food ect, if he couldn't keep this house reasonably clean i'd doubt the rest of it.

Pinkmouse6 · 18/06/2019 14:02

Definitely speak to him about it again. I think he is trying to make an effort but it’s obviously not quite enough. People fall into bad habits and because he’s lived alone for many years, no one has ever been around to stop him.

IndieTara · 22/06/2019 23:56

I spoke to him about how I was feeling and told him that I knew If things didn't change I'd end up leaving.

He said he knows he needs to up his game and doesn't want to lose me.

I said 'then don't '

I'm stepping back a bit and went home after we'd spoken instead of staying over

OP posts:
KeepCoolCalmAndCollected · 23/06/2019 10:06

Could he get/afford a good cleaner - I know it's not the point and he should be doing it himself, but if he stepped up as well, it could be a solution.

I met a guy who I thought had potential, until I went to his flat.
The rancid smell and mess was disgusting.
It was a long time ago, but still etched in my brain were the stacks of old cigarette butts left in wine glasses half-filled with water sat on the edges of his bath, obviously used as ash-trays.
Made my getaway and never saw him again.

buttertoasty · 23/06/2019 10:17

I have had the same issue in the past and it was a turn off. He couldn't see what I meant when I said the place was filthy and thought I was just nagging/being high maintenance.

It caused further problems because I am very allergic to dust/animal fur so would flare up every time I went round, this lead to me refusing to go round there which amongst other things lead to us breaking up.

There were other issues but this was a huge turn off. In my experience he won't change as he probably cannot see the problem.

Whosorrynow · 23/06/2019 10:26

He probably cannot see the problem
My feeling is that it's slightly more complex than that, I think it's more about a refusal to acknowledge that your priorities and preferences are valid, you think that this is a serious matter but he refuses to treat it as a serious matter, the hidden message .....the subtext, is that your concerns, and by extension you, are trivial and unimportant.

Persea · 23/06/2019 10:32

Slimline dishwasher in the new kitchen.
Quite frankly I’d get him to prioritise that over cupboard space!

IndieTara · 24/06/2019 00:00

I also suggested a dishwasher!

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IndieTara · 24/06/2019 00:02

@Whosorrynow I Def dont think he sees me as trivial or unimportant. However I do think he hadn't put 2 and 2 together that I'd leave if he didn't change.

I was as blunt as it's possible to be. The ball is now in his court.

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IndieTara · 24/06/2019 00:04

@KeepCoolCalmAndCollected it's nowhere near as bad as what you describe but bad enough for me to not want to be there

OP posts:
IndieTara · 24/06/2019 00:06

@buttertoasty I'm not allergic I just don't like it!
He has now moved his pets feeding area to the side entry, telling him I'd leave if he didn't change appears to have given him a massive kick.
Only time will tell if he can keep the new regime up...

OP posts:
ukgift2016 · 24/06/2019 06:34

My sister partner is similar, when she first saw his flat it was a state. When they moved in together he did not bother cleaning as he didn't care.

My sister to this day has to do the majority of the housework even though they are both working full-time jobs.

They have recently compromised on getting a cleaner to make up for his short falls.

If you move in with this man, it be with the knowledge of his laziness when it comes to cleaning. A reputable cleaner could be an solution.

WantLifeToBeBetter · 24/06/2019 06:47

Proper cleaner (with references and a probationary period so you can terminate the contract if they are not very good).

Dishwasher.

Dry pet food.

Rule of no pets in the bedroom.

It's good that he's trying to make the effort - fingers crossed for you.

BurnedToast · 24/06/2019 06:53

I can't believe people are suggesting that you should show a grown man how to clean. Hmm

ExtraFox19 · 24/06/2019 06:53

He won’t change and trying to make him will Only bring you pain. His mess is a statement about himself which you should heed.

IndieTara · 24/06/2019 09:22

@ukgift2016 I have no plans to move In With him in his current house or any other

OP posts:
IndieTara · 24/06/2019 09:23

Thanks @WantLifeToBeBetter

OP posts:
IndieTara · 24/06/2019 09:25

@ExtraFox19 I'm inclined to agree but don't want to give up on him just yet.

He knows that if he doesn't change I will walk

OP posts:
another20 · 24/06/2019 11:05

Is he a drinker?

IndieTara · 24/06/2019 13:03

@another20 no he drinks mostly tea

OP posts:
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