Bring your own detergent. I would be fine if it were only two loads a week. That is not a big deal. I would personally offer. I'd prefer you use our detergent as we have allergies, but its good to offer. You should ask before doing it.

I work for a fairly high profile family. We will not see MB or DB for over a week at a time while they both travel for work. I am not officially live in however I spend most nights with my charges staying over. I definitely do most of my laundry at work and have never "asked" permission to do this. It just makes sense and I know it would never be a problem. MB knows this is the case...

If the MB said yes, I think we would have another topic here soon- along the lines of - help, family of 5 uses a lot if expensive detergent and I am expected to restock.

Anonymous wrote:Though I would wonder why you brought your personal problems to your boss rather than going to your family or a friend.

This is a really good point. Also most laundry mats are cheaper then $6/load. I have to agree that it is unprofessional.

I would think it would be ok if you were already doing the family's laundry. If you had not agreed to help with family laundry because it would take away from time with your charges, I can't see how you would now magically have time for yours but not theirs. OR-- you could say that because of xyz you now feel you have time to help out more around the house and would it be ok if you did your laundry along with a couple of loads of family laundry.

Anonymous wrote:I do my laundry at work and have never asked MB. I work 60+ hrs a week and wouldn't have clean clothes if I didn't!! I don't have a washing machine and bring my own soap. I've been doing it for 6 years, never asked.

I'm one of the MB's who said I would be happy to have our nanny do her laundry at our place if it made her life easier. However, I would expect to be asked. If I discovered you were doing your laundry, for years, without asking me I would be extremely displeased. I think that is rude, presumptive behavior and I wouldn't like it at all.

Anonymous wrote:I think I'd feel obligated to say yes, but I would feel uncomfortable with it....and it might lead to nanny losing her job.

This is a little drastic. If my nanny was otherwise great, it wouldn't be an issue. If this was one of a handful of things that bugged me, I would start wondering if I'd made a good choice. If I wasn't pleased with her overall for a long period of time, a request like this could be one of the final straws.