Unbelievable!

[froggylover227]

Me and my boyfriend live with his mother and step-father. There are a total of six people in the household. When I moved in, I began to do the wash for both me and my boyfriend. This includes any towels we have used, as well as regular clothes we need laundered from daily use. I usually do about 2 loads a week. First, a few months ago, his step-father complained that we use too much of his detergent, so we began to buy our own. Now, we are being told we do too much laundry and it's racking up the water bill. First of all, my boyfriend pays rent for me and him to live here. $500 a month to be exact. Second of all, his step-father does the laundry for everyone else in the house, so I'm pretty sure he does more than 2 loads a week for 4 people. I respect that this is his house, but I think it's completely unacceptable for him to come down on us for this, especially when he gets money that is supposed to be covering the cost of things like that. Then he said if we don't like it, we can move out. Me and my boyfriend have been trying to move out for a while, but it's hard trying to save money when his step-father nickel and dimes us for everything. I don't think 2 loads of laundry a week for 2 people is anything horrible. It's not our fault that he is doing laundry for 4 other people, and that's what's jacking the water bill up. You think he'd be grateful that I took over my boyfriend's laundry so that he doesn't have to do it anymore. Sorry, I don't like to smell dirty and like my laundry fresh and clean. I mean, jeans and pants I might wear a couple times before washing them, but I still have underwear, socks, bras, and shirts that need to be washed. Anyway, I digress. Does anyone have any advice or opinions on this? Me and my boyfriend are about to just say screw it and go live in a cardboard box under a bridge at this point just so that we don't have to deal with his step-father. 

[heypeg]

Why not go to the laundremat, then you won't have to worry about it.

[potluck6]

Two loads a week for 2 people is very fair .Ihave 3 people and we do at least 4 a week i need to do some now. i always wash in cold water and a light water  it works fine try that if you already don't.A high water bill comes from showers more then anything. I take quick showers .

[hitch0403]

Sounds like even if you went to a laundromat he would still nickel and dime you.

When you cant turn the other cheek anymore it might be time to move!

[aflyingmonkey]

It sounds as if it is something more that is bothering him than just laundry.

Perhaps he feels you are infringing on his domain, since he was the king of the laundry prior to you living there.
Laundry is more than just the water bill, it is the electric, gas, and wear and tear on the machines.   I know when I have guests who stay in my home, all my utilities go up & not just from doing the laundry.

IMHO, you should just find a laundromat convenient to you, and start doing your laundry there.   It would be a win-win situation for you and him, you'd get out of the house for a couple hours and get some control back in your life.   If that isn't an option, ie no laundromats close, then offer him X amount of money for using the machines, or offer to do their laundry... towel, sheets, whatever.

Stay strong, and don't live under a bridge

[vickysue]

I would find another place to live ASAP,  He may want the rent, but it might be he just wants you to move out. Never would i have lived with my parents, because i knew my stepfather, would be complaining because i was not  working my tail off on the farm plus working to support my self. Noway was that going to happen.

[betlynjua]

It sounds as if it is something more that is bothering him than just laundry.

Perhaps he feels you are infringing on his domain, since he was the king of the laundry prior to you living there.
Laundry is more than just the water bill, it is the electric, gas, and wear and tear on the machines.   I know when I have guests who stay in my home, all my utilities go up & not just from doing the laundry.

IMHO, you should just find a laundromat convenient to you, and start doing your laundry there.   It would be a win-win situation for you and him, you'd get out of the house for a couple hours and get some control back in your life.   If that isn't an option, ie no laundromats close, then offer him X amount of money for using the machines, or offer to do their laundry... towel, sheets, whatever.

Stay strong, and don't live under a bridge

That was my first thought: I think that there's something more than just the laundry going on here.  When I make myself perfectly clear about any situation that I disapprove of and it still does not resolve the issue, I can easily come up with plan B, C, D and so forth.  It may not be the laundry but I have no shortage of other things.

[snuggleycutejc]

agree not fair, that is good amount of rent. If you have / want to live there, maybe go to the laundry mat. You have rent, and other bills. maybe ask him the money is only rent or what how much more dose it to complete it.   

[nadinastarr]

Maybe you and your boyfriend, he and mom should sit down and discuss WHAT exactly the problem is and why he is coming down on YOU about it! Tell him point blank, I don't know WHY you are blaming me for doing so much laundry and WHY the water bill is so high, but this has to stop and we need to find a better solution. And then explain how you feel about this situation. The ONLY way he is going to know, is if you TALK to him! Tell him you want to be reasonable and that every time you two save money to try to move out, something happens that is YOUR fault and you have to pay out even more, so you aren't saving anything.
I learned a long time ago, problems DON'T go away if you don't talk about them. I know people who would get mad at me and then not tell me what was going on! I'm not a freaking mind reader! So you have to tell me what I said or did to know! It's the same with other people. I got to a point where I told people, HOW am I supposed to know what is going on or what you want me to do, if you don't communicate!?!
Just yesterday, I had to remind my mom about this. She has a very bad habit of not telling me stuff and then expecting me to know. Which frustrates me to no end, because my dad and I DO communicate daily!
Just have a sit down, write down what he thinks, and maybe ask if he likes doing the laundry for everyone. Who knows? Maybe it's fun for him!

[SherylsShado]

I'd go to the laundromat........then he can't complain about the laundry situation.

[tantricia44]

The entire family living there should gather together & set house rules.

[minioncookies]

Laundrymat is your best option that way they cant complain about a thing when it comes to using to much when it comes to laundry but it sounds like there the complaining type so they just might find something else to complain about after this issue is solved so you might wanna consider saving up and moving

[dreamyxo]

Yup I agree with laundry mat then he can't complain about it.

[fjaz1]

This is a good example of why you shouldn't air your family's dirty laundry 

[amyDAST]

Just from reading how many people live in one single family home, That might be what is driving this man crazy and just getting upset with everything, I AM NO WAY saying he is right because he is not but I do know that would make about anyone crazy in my opinion. I agree with the user above, you guys need to all set down as a family and figure it out.