As the title says, I live in an apartment with 3 other roommates. We’re all guys, which means that the dishes situation is unbearable. All of my roommates, besides myself, refuse to clean their dishes after use.
I can understand this. After cooking a meal, washing dishes definitely feels like a chore, but it gets to the point where dishes from two months ago are still stacked in the sink. The odor has gotten so strong that it stinks up the kitchen and my roommates refuse to acknowledge it. There have been many times in the past where I would be the one to wash them all in order to just have a clean pan to cook with or cup to drink from.
My main issue, however, is that I always clean my dishes after use and sit them out to dry immediately after. (We, obviously, don’t own a dishwasher). On the other hand, my roommates will use the dishes I washed on my own, put them back into the sink after use, and refuse to clean them. It’s frustrating. I’ve spoken up many times about the dishes not getting done only to be lied to that they will. So… I emptied the (little that there was) rest of clean utensils into the sink to make SOMEONE acknowledge that we have no clean silverware. I know it’s a pathetic attempt to get someone to pay attention, but obviously, as this point talking hasn’t worked anymore.
NTA – you need new roommates.
What do they say when you confront them about it anyway?
Usually along the lines of, “I know, I’ll do them”. Such bs
start keeping your own dishes and utensils in your room
I would keep a set of dishes in your room. Put them back in your room after you’ve used and cleaned them.
Judgement aside – just use your own utensils and bring them to your room after you clean them. If people don’t take care of common things, stop sharing with them. You can’t force them to care, but you can remove yourself from the problematic situation
Agree. Don’t stop with utensils either. Buy a small set of dishes and a dish rack and keep them all in your room after you’ve cleaned them.
NTA – for the love of God, have you people never heard of paper plates? You live with pigs, although they probably won’t throw them in the trash can
NTA. Keep your dishes and your pots etc in your room. When you use them and later wash them take them back to your room and place them on a drying rack in there so your roommates don’t have an opportunity to use your clean dishes. Be sure to lock your room whenever you go out.
I knew someone in a similar situation once.
They bought their own cutlery/utensils, which they kept in their room (locked), as a temporary solution. Then they called their parents.
Parents turned up, helped their kid to move everything while the others were out. Once away from the place, the kid reported one of the housemates for neglect of their dog, and their dog was taken away as well.
Just burn the bridges, and don’t look back.
YMBTA – what if you and your roommates chipped in for a portable dishwasher? it comes with wheels. You can roll it over to the sink, connect the hose to the faucet, load the dishes and turn on the water. Most of them come with a butcherblock top so you can use the surface for food prep. Once the cycle is done, you can just roll the dishwasher to wherever it fits in the kitchen. You may find a used one on FB or Craigs list. Newer ones range from $250 to $650 depending on size. There are also countertop dishwashers available.
NTA. Time to move bud.
NTA. Maybe it’s time to get yourself your own set. Bowl, plate, one set of silverware and glasses. Keep them in your room.
I’m going to say NTA. You are desperate to get your lazy ass roommates to clean up after themselves and I can sympathize with that.
Aside from already cleaning the dishes you use, could you maybe just clean what you need when you need it, just leave everything else in the sink for THEM to clean when THEY need it instead of doing them all for them to use and then leaving them dirty in the sink again. Then, THEY’ll have to clean them when it’s not in cupboard, already cleaned? (It sounds like when you reach for something that’s not clean, instead of doing that/those item(s), you are doing them all.)
I’d also continue to remind them that day/or night until they got sick of me asking and they got off their lazy butts and did it.
Have you also considered using paper plates and plastic cutlery? It would cut down on what is left dirty in the sink.
Finally, if they just cleaned as they went along fixing their food instead of leaving it all to do “later”, they wouldn’t have as much of a mess to worry about when they are full and tired. There would only be a couple of items to do later on instead of a sink full.
And how long would it take them to put dishwashing liquid and clean a plate as soon as they’re done instead of leaving it for someone else and the mess from the food is crusted on, not to mention it stinking up the kitchen.
I would do like others are saying and get one set of dishes for yourself to keep in your room. One versatile pot or pan. Maybe even a cheap drying rack so you can wash them and then carry them with you into your room. Also – make sure your room has a lock. I wouldn’t trust roommates like that who don’t respect common places not to invade other spaces. Source: personal experience. NTA.