Do you care if a house guest keeps the space tidy during their stay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We currently have a house guest staying with us for longer than I would prefer (2 weeks). We have a designated guest room but I use it for exercise and to store household linens, so I have to go in and out for towels and sheets, and I let them know this when they asked to stay. There is no en suite bathroom, the bedroom is next to the main guest/shared bath on our main floor.

Our guest has their stuff spread out wall to wall on the floor in the bedroom, has not utilized the luggage stand or closet. I went in to get some clean sheets and towels while they were out so as not to intrude and there are empty soda cans and takeout containers as well, which I find unsanitary. Their toiletries and accessories are all over the bathroom counter.

I'm not going to say anything, but am I out of line to be irritated by this? Do you care if a house guest keeps the space tidy during their stay?

Of course I care and yes you would be out of line if you said something. Two weeks should pass fairly quickly. Let’s hope. My sister came for a party that was at my house and she stayed in my son’s room. I keep a tidy and clean house and she completely wrecked his amazing room. It was embarrassing and she left the door open. Bed unmade, dirty clothes everywhere etc etc. Rather than say anything, I sucked it up and just closed the door to the room. I also closed other doors so she wouldn’t feel awkward. If she were living with me, I would’ve said something, but the night or two she was there, I didn’t find it “important” enough to cause an argument. I also feel that it would deter her from ever staying again. Breathe Op and weigh the cost.

[Anonymous]

And….I agree with the other posters. Please move your items temporarily if feasible. These are not items that you HAVE to get from that room.

[Anonymous]

This would bother me and I always try to stay contained when I am a guest but I also generally just hate clutter and mess. The stuff spread all over and the bathroom clutter I would just live with until they left. The empty food containers I would say some variation of "Hey, I noticed empty food containers in the bedroom. Those can attract mice and bugs so could you put those in the trash and not eat in the bedroom? Thanks."

[Anonymous]

Why don’t you supply them with a large plastic-lined garbage can? Give them some drawer space for their clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The clothes on the floor and not using the closet I could easily ignore.

Takeout and soda containers is gross.

+1 they can make a mess within their space.

Food waste is different because it can attract pests. Yikes.

[Anonymous]

OP if you “close” your kitchen and don’t let guests eat or drink aside from specific meal time, then what do you expect. Not everyone can survive on a lite brunch and a healthy dinner as the only meals.

[Anonymous]

No, but I’d also never go in the room they are staying in.

[Anonymous]

Did they ask if they can/eat drink in your guest room?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The clothes on the floor and not using the closet I could easily ignore.

Takeout and soda containers is gross.

This.

[Anonymous]

Stay out of that room when you have guests there. You shouldn't need to be getting out linens multiple times a week, or you could pull out what you expect to need while there are guests staying in that room. Give them some space.

I do think the food thing is gross, though. I might find a way to mention that in a way that doesn't embarrass them.

[Anonymous]

I would care about food, drinks and trash in the room as we don't do that. Messy, fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would care. I wouldn't say anything but I also wouldn't allow them to stay again in the future.

+1

I feel the same way.

[Anonymous]

All of you people freaking out about the food remnants must not have teens.