Nuerotic sister and her fake husband as well as my gay brother are visiting. Brother leaves Saturday, sister and fake husband next Tuesday. Here's the set-up: Sister can't sit still and she's been buzzing around the house cleaning and putting things in order . Brother can't stand anything out of place and has cleaned everything including washing the scuffed walls. Spent the entire day wearing rubber gloves and using various cleaning products of top quality. You should get the picture.

The problem is this: Neither will clean my bathroom except sister washed my white bath mats because they, by some mysterious means, had turned black. She and brother refuse to do anything further thinking that I ought to do it myself. The bathroom could use a cleaning bec we got rid of our cleaning service when Covid was scaring everyone. I, however, figure that since the dirt hasn't killed me yet no action is required.

My plan is this: Call their bluff. I don't think that they can stand it if the bathroom doesn't get cleaned and they will give in and clean it t once they realize that I'm resolved not to do it. I may offer to help but make my escape when they get started. I'll mention that I DO clean the bowl but I ruined the enamel bec I didn't check if the cleaner was safe for enamel. Brother insists that I spend hundreds of dollars for a new toilet bec everyone should have a nice toilet.

Question: Is this the best play, will it work out w/ people as I've described them?
If you have a better idea I'll consider it.

This is a solved game. The best play with all household tasks is to feign incompetence.

If they want it cleaned, they should do it.


What kind of sty do you live in where your guests feel compelled to clean it for you?

I don't see a reason why there has to be any play here? Tell them the bathroom is fine for you, if they don't clean it then whatever, yay if they do.

What cleaning product do you have that would destroy a toilet?

The correct answer is you clean your home, or have it done, before guests arrive.

Invite them to stay more often but for shorter visits. Alternate their visits.

I would love to have OCD relatives visiting rather than the lazy slobs that do.

Is this bathroom indoor?

Flamethrower. Use either on bathroom or on guests; preferably on both.

Next question.

Try cleaning your house before guests arrive next time

The right play is obviously ask if it's okay to hire outside help for $60 and clean the bathroom for 2 hours (Handy.com?) and if they want the $60, they can have it.

Believe me as I speak from experience, you need to set some firm boundaries for your family members when they come to stay in YOUR house.

My sister's are the same way and start cleaning my house everytime they come over. The correct play is to rub some melted chocolate on the toilet seat and maybe the wall, your bathroom will be cleaned by tonight.

I am a late riser but brother is vacuuming the rugs and disturbing my slumber. He could be doing the bathroom instead.

Also, they invite themselves which they feel is their right bec this is where 92 y.o. Howard Mom lives.

I'm pretty sure that they will not be able to leave w/o cleaning my bathroom.

I never dreamed that MLY and I would wind up on the same side of any issue, yet here we are. Amazing!

Missed this one. Sister is as neurotic as they come along w/ her very obvious OCD issues. Brother is gay of the 'everything must be perfect' sort.

Subtly let it drop that your mom sometimes must use your bathroom. Manufacture a reason if you must. That should git 'er done!

That's solid advice right there, friend. Really solid, might work.

I've put this plan into effect saying that sometimes Howard Mom's toilet gets clogged and it's either use my bathroom or wheel herself all the way across the house to the guest bathroom in the middle of the night. I also lied and said that I'd cleaned a bit by myself.

The effect was red-hot, the real tabasco! Brother is likely convinced and my telling him that I would keep it clean if he does it might have clinched the deal.

BTW, his instructions on bathroom cleaning are over the top: Spray the ENTIRE bathroom w/ cleaning product, come back in an hour, and wipe all of the spray off.

I'd hit 10 one-outers in a row before I'd do something like that.

LOL!

Those instructions seem so complex that you might have difficulty remembering them from one visit to the next. He may have to repeat them and demonstrate a few more times before you catch on.

Good luck!

Once the job is done you're privy to a royal flush tho.

****ing slam dunk from Dodger.

Just snuck into my den where I'm being super-quiet bec brother is in the bathroom cleaning away. I just have to keep out of sight.

It took me a few seconds to get it. First class reply.

KUDOS!!!!!!!

Ames's idea hit home like a thunderbolt. Brother is nearly done. He's in the bathroom w/ brushes and buckets cleaning from top to bottom. I went in and offered to help and he said he didn't need it.

I asked him what his partner's attitude was regarding this over-riding obsession w/ spotlessness and was told that 'he does the dishes.' I'll ask him next time I see him.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

A+++ work there Dodger!