Pegs

What's an appropriate way to deal with shared laundry?

I'm renting a basement apartment and share laundry facilities with the two landlords who live upstairs. When I moved in they asked me to remove the laundry from the washer and dryer when it finished (which I've been doing). I guess the problem is that they leave their laundry in the washing machine for days (soaking in a lot of water). I've been trying to do laundry since Saturday and it's now Tuesday night and the same load of laundry has been there since then. Since it's their house and their laundry facilities, is it appropriate for me to ask them to not leave their things for so long? I'm also more than welcome to other suggestions!

Public Comments

sounds delicate but i would take out their stuff and put it on top of the machine or in a basket. they are rude
You could ask if they minded setting up a laundry schedule so that you have a certain day a week to do laundry - or if they minded setting up something else, like a bucket or sink, to soak their clothes in for set-in stains - or if they mind you finishing the load for them in the washer to help you out and prevent mold/mildew in the washer or on clothes (can be a BIG problem). They may not even be aware it's a problem for you. As long as you're polite and respectful, I wouldn't mind being approached about this and hope they wouldn't either... Good luck! (:
It's rude that they asked you to be so prompt with your laundry, and then did not pay you the same courtesy. It is their property, but they offered to let you use it. Just knock on their door and say, "hey I need to do laundry today, would you mind getting yours out in the next few hours? It's been there a few days." Just keep a smile on your face and thank them a ton when they do get it.
Sit down with them and schedule a time for your laundry. If this does not work you can do two things.....get your own small sized water and dryer. OR go to a laundry mat. (the small washer has a special hook up to your sink's faucet, be sure to ask for this before you buy the machine, and make sure it fits your faucet)
Have you asked them what you should do in that case? With the explanation that you needed to keep up on your laundry. They may be stuck in an old habit, and forgot how it inconveniences you.
I would knock on the door and politely ask if you can take their clothes out of the wash machine since you havee been wanting to do your laundry since Sat and thought maybe they had forgotten about it, since clothes left standing in water for any time over a day or so tends to rot the clothes, and that is why you thought they must hav forgotten it. Do not offer to finish their laundry, or put it in the dryer, you may get stuck doing that from now on.2. Get a big bucket or tug (the kind you put ice in ($5.00) at Wal Mart., and put the stuff in that until your laundry is done and then put theirs back in the wash machine.If they come down while you are doing that just say very sweetly "I put your clothes over there, I was kind of in a hurry., and I*ll put them back again in the washer"
I would remove their laundry and put it in a basket (if there isn't one available pick up a cheap one at the dollar store). If the laundry is sitting in water, run it through the spin cycle first. If laundry is is part of your rental agreement you are entitled to get your laundry done. Perhaps you could ask for specific days on which you could do yours.
i would leave their washing on top of the washing machine & just do u washing. i guess thats what i would do..