Neighbour Wants Us to Change Laundry Detergent

Hi all,

Happy new year!

Wondering what everyone would do in my situation. Would you agree/comply? Or would you ignore the email hoping to never bump into them in person? Would you stand your ground and not switch (probably damaging the relationship)? Would you do something else?

Brief background:
I live in a 4 unit block where the shared laundry is beneath Unit 1. The owner of Unit 1 has emailed us on NYE asking us to change to a sensitive laundry detergent (eg OMO Sensitive) as it supposedly has no added/artificial fragrance. She states she has become extremely sensitive to artificial fragrances and it is impacting her health… Something called "second hand fragrance".

We've already as a group agreed to restrict the times we are allowed to use the laundry room and spent a few grand of strata funds to renovate the laundry to reduce the noise from the dryers. The other two units seemed to have changed their detergents, so I am thinking it is probably just easier to just switch to avoid any further conflict…despite my reluctance on principle.

This is the most recent complaint of many since we bought out unit…she has complained about multiple things impacting 3 of her 5 senses in that time already… Just waiting on complaints relating to taste and touch now…

Whilst we are not close for other reasons, we are civil to each other and I have nothing against her (apart from the regular complaints about various things), so I wouldn't want it to turn into an ACA exclusive story. On one hand I feel sorry for her if smells and sounds from the laundry room is reducing her quality of life, but on the other I feel like she has no right to dictate what detergent we use… We have already compromised and restricted when we can use the laundry room (which is very inconvenient at times), so I feel like this is pushing the limit somewhat.

Email:

For the last couple of months I have noticed you have changed your laundry detergent to a brand or type that is stronger smelling together with the fact that you are now using your dryers a lot more. This was previously only a problem with unit 3, so I had to speak to them again and the difference since they changed has been a significant improvement.

I have become very sensitive to strong smelling artificial fragrances and can not stand my bedroom and apartment smelling like a steamy laundry, so further to the email I sent previously below, which at the time was essentially directed to unit 3, can you please change your detergent to a 'sensitive type' preferably all the time but especially when using dryers as I am unable to open my windows for fresh air, which is essential for my health and well being. I understand detergents are expensive so I always stock up when on sale at half price, Woolworths currently have half price sale of OMO sensitive, but most brands also has a version.

I can post the original email she sent to all units in May also if anyone is interested.

EDIT: Thank you all for your input, at least I'm not the only one thinking it is unreasonable in some respects.

Was just at my cousin's place telling her about my predicament and she gave me half a bottle of liquid OMO sensitive! She said she doesn't like it or use it, prefers the powder Aldi one. Winning!

So I think I will send her something along these lines:

Hi <name>,

Firstly I just want it on record that I dispute that we have been using "our dryer a lot more". I always try to use the line where possible to save money on electricity and because the dryer damages the clothes. I would think if our laundry usage has increased (on average), then it would have been since our daughter has been born?

Having said this, we will start using sensitive going forward when we know we will be using the dryer. Please be aware there will probably be a period of transition whilst we finish up our current detergent and are able to buy the sensitive detergent on sale.

Cheers,
<name>

Poll Options

  • 15
    Change Detergent
  • 79
    Don't Change Detergent
  • 15
    Other (e.g. Change with but with conditions)

Comments

    • +1

      Hahaha cracked me up.

    • Know this is totally cruel but I had a little chuckle. Well done.

  • +1

    Tell her to wash her clothes in her kitchen sink

  • Ok first you have given in too much with this lady and she is taking you for a ride now.

    I would ignore everything she has requested previously and just say you were being accommodating but now you believe she is taking advantage of the groups good nature and the laundry is a shared area and you can use it as you please reasonably. Requesting others not to use it in reasonable times is completely unreasonable. Telling people how to wash their clothes is also completely unreasonable

    Do your washing whatever time you like.

    The lady doesn't like it she can move. After all when she first lived there she was next to the laundry its not like they sprung it up on her.

    People like that are annoying but if you keep caving they will just escalate it continually and there will always be another problem.

  • +1

    Next season in 'Better Call Saul', Chuck moves to a flat.

  • -3

    Just buy a box of her detergent and then fill it up from then on with whatever detergent you want. She will think you are using the one she wants and she wont know the difference.

  • +2

    Mext time u buy detergent just buy sensitive. They are on sale at the same time 90% of the time. It's does the same job, and helps her. There's No question

  • Soon you could be asked to service your car every month to reduce any CO emissions, change your diesel car to a premium fuel car or park down the street and walk up so she can't smell you car fumes, stop eating seafood, stop making aromatic foods like curries, stop charring you meat on the BBQ, stop growing fragrant flowers on you balcony, stop using aftershave and deodorant, tell guests they can't smoke on the balcony, get the libs to adopt the Kyoto protocol etc…

    or

    you could point her to good personal air cleaner / purifiers ranging from $500 (daikin) to $2000 (IQ) that will filter/destroy all odours and she can buy and install several in her unit (or the strata could cough it up and hook it up to the laundry exhaust etc)

    • +1

      At which point, a simple 'no' is all she needs to be given.

  • +5

    I'm actually disgusted by some of the responses here

    • +2

      Me too.

    • -1

      Unfriend every disgusting commenter on Facebook, or at least set your relationship status to "it's complicated". They'll take the passive aggressive hint.

  • For me the detergent is a very minor issue and that request easily complied with. The big ask was thousand spent on making the dryers quieter - aren't washing machines noiser?- and that's already happened.

    • Yes washing machines can be noisier, but they typically don't run for as long as dryers which people usually run for 1 to 2 hours. Also, I think she was targeting dryers because people use them over sun drying on washing line for their own convenience (which they have a right to do).

  • She sounds like a self-centered nutjob living in the wrong style of housing to meet her needs (real or perceived).

    Cant wait for her next crazy idea! - be sure to keep us updated :)

    I'd also be putting information about chemtrails and other interesting conspiracy theories in a general noticeboard area, as a gesture of good will in helping identify other sources that may be contributing to her condition(s).

    For this matter, I'd only change if its cost/effort neutral ie when you're buying detergent if its the same price or cheaper as the one you'd normally get; and not going out of your way to buy it when its on special.

    If her requirements are for no artificial laundry detergent scents, she should be prepared to supply a suitable detergent, offer to compensate (monthly $ to cover any loss from buying her preferred brand/type) or move to another location where shes not near the laundry/clothes line rather than expect everyone around her to accommodate her particular need.

    • +1 tell her it's all chem-trails and that if she expects anything to get better she has to fight for it against the man.

  • +2

    "Sensitive to smells" could mean anything. Ranges from allergy to just a simple dislike. I am "sensitive" to the smell of…my neighbours smoking but I don't say anything. It sounds like its a dislike more than anything. Maybe advise her to see a Dr. About her health needs, cos if its not in the contract, and she's not family, then you should use whatever laundry powder you want! Its not even a "bad" smell!

    • +3

      But for someone with chemical sensitivity it very much is a bad smell, what you perceive as a nice perfume may actually smell acrid to someone with this condition. If it's a chemical sensitivity a doctor would probably recommend avoidance of said chemical. Also of note (which I wasnt aware of until just then):

      "Chemical sensitivity is considered a disability for the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act." This was from a Qld website however so not sure if that Act applies nationwide.

      http://www.qldallergy.com/multiple-chemical-sensitivity

      "HOW IS CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY TREATED?

      The main treatment is to avoid the chemicals or other substances that cause symptoms.

      DEPENDING ON HOW SEVERE THE PROBLEM IS, THIS MAY INVOLVE:

      1. Changing to more natural and non-toxic personal care products, cleaning products, clothing, bedding and furniture.
      2. Removing toxic products from the home.
      3. Using non-toxic methods to control pests.
      4. Using non-toxic or less toxic building materials when building or renovating.
      5. Moving to a less polluted area.
      6. Eating organic food.
      7. Using a good air purifier and/or water filter.
        Workplaces, schools and other places can be made safer for people with chemical sensitivities. Chemical sensitivity is considered a disability for the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act.
  • +1

    Offer to do her laundry but use nothing but that prank itching powder.

  • I'd suggest she rips out her dishwasher and replaces it with her own washing machine. Doubt she would want to but why should everyone else pander to her sensitivity. There will be more requests of this nature, a complaint about someone's aftershave, air freshener and whatever else. Sounds like the communal elements of apartment living isn't for her - she should move out and get somewhere more accommodating to her needs.

  • +1

    Does the laundry have proper exhaust systems to vent the smell and moisture outside?
    Why is it going into her unit?

    Maybe she should seal gaps and holes into her unit to stop the smell going into her place.

    Reading her emails, maybe she could clean up her backyard view if she isn't happy with the hard work you have put in for your kid's birthday party!

    The detergent thing is an issue, especially how she is passive - aggressive and about its an issue you are using the dryer more now and how it used to be bad with the other unit etc.

    Does she clean up, take out bins, help out around the place or contribute?

    Good luck.

    • No proper exhaust system, just a window and the door.

      I assume heat rises and it escapes upwards out of the open laundry door and window into her open bedroom windows which is directly above the laundry room.

      She takes the bins in and out on occasion (but only 2 out of the 4 bins at a time for some reason…if you are going to do it, do it all, right???). Apart from that I can't think of anything else she does. Partly why the backyard is so neglected in the first place.

      • What is the flooring between her apartment and the laundry? If it's timber it may be seeping up through the floorboards.

        • Yes hardwood timber. But her initial complaint was the noise, so we recently put fireproof insulation and gyprocked the laundry ceiling, agreed to time restrictions and added rubber mats under the machines which helped reduce the noise apparently, but not the smells.

        • +1

          @John Kimble: You have certainly done a lot to help her out so far.

        • +1

          @Gravy: The fireproofing/ceiling stuff was on the AGM agenda 2 years ago, I think it was unanimous…she wanted the storeroom next to the laundry done too, but we voted against that, so we met halfway I suppose.

        • @John Kimble: Is the storeroom ceiling immediately below her apartment, is the storeroom always open to the laundry or shut off by a door?

        • @Gravy: Yes, the storeroom is a separate room directly below her daughter's room. It's only used when people go in/out to get items. This was quite frequent with a previous renter, but isn't too much of an issue anymore as they moved out.

          I've been told (by the complaining owner) that the previous owners to our unit used to store fertiliser and other "hazardous" materials (I think petrol for a lawnmower???) which really upset her as it could endanger her daughter's life and was a risk to burn down the whole block…

      • I think you could invest in an exhaust fan in the wall, ceiling with ducting or in the window to outside, remove the heat, moisture and smells from there, not for her sake but to avoid condensation build up and long term damage to the laundry

        • +2

          Yes, that would help with the moisture for sure, but I suspect this would need to go all the way up the side of the building to the roof to have any chance of making a difference for my neighbour's issue? Something like this would be on the long "to do list"…the building is over 100 years old and unfortunately there are much higher priority works required just to keep it together…

  • +6

    I lived in an apartment complex with a person like this. My advice is to have as little to do with them as possible.

    • +12

      Nonsense. I say the OP should invite her over to their place and pee on her to show dominance.

      • I would love to! In the end I decided to move out and sell it was that bad. I wish I could have just ignored it, but the nagging simply got to me over the years. A friggin whinger. I fully understand why people don't get to know their neighbours these days, it's a little sad.

  • If she's willing to compensate the price difference, or even asks nicely, and I'm in this situation, I'll definitely cooperate. It's not like there's a huge price difference, or it's something that needs to be replaced on a daily basis, or that I have a fetish on that particular detergent odour…

    But the way she wrote that email. OMG. There's not a single please, or even trying to acknowledge the fact that she's causing a bother to you and she's sorry about that. What I can read is entitlement and condescension.

    Fk off then.

    • +2

      "can you please change your detergent"

      • +1

        Oops I overlooked that. But that still doesn't sound very sincere, does it?

        • +2

          Between the lines she is also making veiled threats. She is playing buzzword bingo for escalating this matter. I have seen similar language from a serial workplace complainer saying he couldn't work due to an air conditioner setting.

        • @Frugal Rock: What is the veiled threat, that of Escalation?

        • +3

          @Gravy:
          Turning a simple innocent grocery choice into a humanitarian rights and deprivation of health, wellbeing and liberty circus.

          You shouldn't forget in your lather that normal people would just say something politely in person. This is on the record and formal notice. There is nothing courteous about it.

        • -1

          @Frugal Rock: Had to have a laugh at me in a lather… :)

          Op is also intending to reply via letter (email), some people just find it easier to communicate this way. But yeah, I'd probably just approach people personally.

          Incidentally if it does turn out to be chemical sensitivity then it may be considered a disability for the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act, in which case she may have a leg to stand on. http://www.aessra.org/disability-discrimination-and-mcs.php

          Suggest OP treads carefully, although the complainant may not be aware of this Act. Not sure how/if it applies to apartments though.

    • This was her initial email to all units in May (note the email in my original post was directed to us only, I assume partly because we were the only unit that hadn't changed and according to her we have increased out dryer usage):

      Dear neighbours,
      As the weather is becoming cooler and I expect the dryers are going to be in use even more, I am sorry to have to bring this up again, but the smell of some of your laundry detergents are seriously affecting my wellbeing, enjoyment of my apartment and quite likely my health. I understand that some of you may find this email unreasonable and I appreciate that most of the time the laundry door is now being kept closed when dryers are in operation. This helps somewhat but turns the laundry into an extremely intense perfumed sauna when you enter the room not to mention the fact that the steam in an unventilated space will create mould.

      If you google the issue it is well documented that ‘second hand fragrances’ are a world wide issue as the synthetic or artificial fragrances are petroleum based and dryer exhaust is particularly hazardous to people’s health, (see an example website link below)

      http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/secondhand-fragrance-contam…

      The reason I buy ‘Sensitive’ non fragrant detergent is because I cant stand the smell of artificial fragrances, but am now having my bedroom and whole apartment regularly filled with these steamy smells. I would appreciate if you in future either buy ‘Sensitive’ non fragrant detergent, or minimize the use of the dryers, in the meantime if you can please ensure the door and windows are kept closed.

      I hope that you can understand the affect this has on me, even though you yourself may love the smell.

      Thankyou & Regards

      • +3

        Gotta say, that seemed a fairly reasonable request with a couple of possible options to consider.

      • +1

        I think, given this and the other email, as well as her considerably entitled requests re the garden and it's patina?!, that you're just going to have to take each request as it comes and judge them on their own merits. I don't think this request is unreasonable, but I do think asking you to change the frequency of your laundry is, and all that stuff about the garden was too. I was a tenant in a set of apartments like these and you've described someone very similar to an apartment owner we had a lot of struggles with. I think it's fine to push back a bit too and say well I've accommodated you by doing x, so please accommodate me by doing y in the spirit of getting along. She has a child so she should understand what early childhood is like too and I wouldn't hesitate in pointing out the fact that you've got a baby to consider.

      • Did you respond to this first request at all or just ignore it? Could be the reason the second request was written with a little more urgency if you did nothing first time around.

        • No, we didn't switch. We knew she was directing the email to another unit (which she admitted to in the most recent email), plus we never noticed them on sale, so just kept buying the same one we usually do, which always seemed to be on sale when we needed more.

          Didn't reply to the first one and still haven't yet replied to the most recent one (and still might not, I mean she should notice the OMO sensitive bottle and lack of artificial fragrance going forward?). She didn't expressly ask for a reply in either email, but obviously it would be courteous to do so.

        • @John Kimble: Ah I see. Fair enough.

  • +2

    Have some empathy for your neighbour
    OR
    Pity their poor quality of life and save 2 cents at the supermaket.

    The choice is yours
    P.s the 2 cents adds up over time

  • +5

    Update: Just washed some bedsheets with the OMO Sensitive that my cousin gave me…they smell like nothing now! It's a bit weird because I know they are clean because they don't smell dirty, but they don't smell "clean". I guess I've associated the artificial fragrance with "clean" so something I will have to get used to if we keep using it!!!

    • Yep, the main thing is they don't smell dirty.

      • -3

        Well no. The main thing is patsy kowtowing without any resistance. Give him an EQ sticker.

        • +3

          Fairly sure that every time you touch your keyboard, a bonobo dies in the Congo. I can sense their pain.

        • -3

          @Gravy:
          You remind me of my sister. She's a self-righteous passive aggressive who doesn't let ineptitude in the intelligent sciences dull her overbearingness.

          Did you see what I did there? I ingeniously insulted you through indirection. Devilishly smart stuff, hey? So clever, and unless I explained it to you, you'd never have guessed.

        • +8

          @Frugal Rock: Very smart indeed.
          When I was a young whippersnapper, a friend and I would stick firecrackers into the wet clay along a shoreline near his house. We'd light them up, wait a few moments and then marvel at the perfectly formed little craters that were left behind as the clay peeled back with the force of the explosion. Occasionally a dud cracker would simply fizzle and no crater would form, this was mildly disappointing but we learned to live with the odd failure. I always thought it would make an interesting art piece if you could create a bunch of these little craters in the clay, then dig out the slab of clay and fire it in a kiln, almost like a miniature battlefield. I kind of miss cracker night.

  • +1

    There are cheaper sensitive washing detergents. You don't have to buy OMO sensitive.

    I'm pretty sensitive (just irriates my nose) to washing powders and I find regular OMO to be the worst product for irriation. Actually lavender fragranced washing detergents are very aggravating, so maybe if you (or your neighbours) have fabric softender that is lavender, it might also cause her to have issues.

    I honestly think though that she should provide Omo sensitive (or whatever sensitive washing powder/liquid she wants) for everyone in the unit complex. That is what I would do if I was in her position.

    Gee I am feeling very glad I live in a regular house with my own laundry. What a crazy reqest to have to put up with.

  • +1

    Completely remarkable requests from your neighbour! but I would say just be the better person and use the sensitive stuff, it really is not going to be that much of an extra bother for you, and it'll make her feel better.

  • +2

    Knowing hot air rises, she purchased the apartment above the laundry and used it ever since. She did not purchase a pre-determined range of smells. Her health permits commuting to Sydney CBD. Her sense of entitlement will not cease with OMO Sensitive.

  • +1

    "If you provide omo sensitive for free, i'll use it. Otherwise i'll be using whatever is on special at coles"

  • +7

    Is she hot and are you trying to hit? Answer me this before I give you my response.

    • Asking the real questions.

  • +6

    To anyone that is on the neighbours side on this one.. did you actually read through all the posts?

    This woman is a serial complainer, in fact, she complained about the door to the laundry being open, due to the noise, so it was closed, now she is complaining about the fact that keeping the door closed is causing her unit to smell 😂😂

    Let alone her previous emails regarding fertilizer causing her daughter to get sick.. what.. was she out there licking it?

    The whole way she wrote those emails just screams self entitlement, don't give an inch mate!

    • I agree.

    • +4

      I did. The OP changed his detergent which now means next time she has a really outrageous request, the OP can say, sorry I've already made a significant change for your health and wellbeing, I have to focus on mine now and stand his ground. Now she cannot argue they haven't tried, and the OP will feel comfortable standing his ground.

    • +3

      Yeah I've read most of the posts and re-read the op's posts a few times. I'm not entirely on the neighbour's side as such as I realise she could just be a serial complainer, however I can certainly see her side if indeed her condition is real. Inconvenience to the Op is in my opinion very minimal compared to the benefit for the complainant, particularly if she offers to pay the difference as I've suggested the Op asks her for. If she doesn't come to the party on payment then I would be less inclined to swap detergents unless she was suffering hardship.

      If I read correctly, keeping the laundry door closed is causing the laundry to smell, keeping it open causes her unit to smell. She has come to the realisation that solving one problem can sometimes result in a new problem to be addressed. This is a good example of flow-on effect and occurs often during problem solving where all possible outcomes were not envisaged (even the obvious ones in this case).

      Fertilisers, composts, potting mixes etc can contain bacteria that enter the lungs via dust that is inhaled (doesnt need to be eaten/licked). This can lead to conditions such as Legionnaires disease, pneumonia and other respiratory issues. The warnings are right there on the bags, the risk is very real and deaths have occurred. The scenario of her child possibly developing pneumonia from being in close proximity to the garden is not entirely out of the question even if unlikely, but I don't think you can label her as a crazy lady from this point alone.

      The other stuff about visual amenity in the shared garden is just her trying to maintain an environment that she likes. If one of the tenants of an apartment block decided they wanted to dig up the grass and put down some white gravel instead without checking with others first, you would probably find people complaining after the fact as they loved that grass. One person's tipping point can be different to another's, hers is obviously low but where should the line be defined?

    • in addition, a serial helicopter parent who reads conspiracy sites in her free time

  • +1

    Yeah, shes 100% crazy.

  • +1

    So many insensitive comments here. What goes around comes around. What is wrong with trying what she is asking for ? You will have a loving neighbor and how bad is it to have to use a different detergent for your washing. Who cares. We all live busy and increasingly isolated lives. One good deed for her will go a long way. Happiness comes from making other people happy. Cheers.

    • What goes around comes around doesn't apply in situations where one demographic complain about hypersensitivity more than another, an important fact in this matter. That is called a master-slave relationship. The slaves in the equation are fools for accepting their subordinate fate. This growing victim society mentality is the old two class system under a new politcally correct cover.

      • +1

        Oh…. nooooooo…. politcally. Maybe you were typing on your phone or something.

    • +1

      It is coming around alright (i like the pun btw); her insensitive (lol), entitled and self-centered email is whats getting everyone's back up.

      Shes crazy and will never be a loving neighbor; shes just missing some cats (probably another perceived allergen) or maybe shes afraid they'll pop her imaginary bubble she'd like to live in… anyway i digress. 100%. Crazy. Lady. To be honest this thread is making me happy (im amused by crazy people and stories about them) so maybe you're right :)

      Perhaps OP can sprinkle a ring of scented washing powder around their unit to keep her crazy away.

      I think i found her: http://www.thatslife.com.au/article/real-life/i-cant-stop-ea… this whole thing is just an elaborate way remove temptation - sensitive has no flavour…..

      • +1

        She has a cat!

        • Well that's it then.. the cat took her soul when she was asleep and now shes a mindless husk occupied by a djinn.

        • +5

          How can she live in a unit with a cat, and complain about smell sensitivities…have anyone been inside her unit? Cat pee smell is impossible to get rid of (and I imagine cat poop smell wouldn't be better).

          This makes absolutely no sense that she lives with a cat in a unit, but complains about the smell of laundry detergent…

      • +1

        I knew the That's Life article was trouble when I saw the spelling of her "little girls" name.

        • +1

          I didn't read it closely the first time, however yes… that's +1 more child in the world with a name they'll have to spell out everytime they need to give their name over the phone for anything official….. :sigh: its more of a typo than a name. But at least the mother has fresh breath :D

  • Easy… put a sign on your washing machine and dryer (that you own) which has your name on it, also possibly stating for your use only.

    Problem solved.

    Why on earth would you use each others washing machine/dryer?
    In any case I would not want other peoples using my machines anyway. Peoples are disgusting grubs.

    The whole "my apartment spells like artificial fragrance due to the dryers" thing is a load of crap.

    • I'm not sure where you read or got the impression we used each other's washers/dryers, but I only use my machines (and I hope the other units do the same).

      • It was the only way I (as a reasonable human being) thought your neighbour could possibly have any input into what washing powder you use.

        I honestly would tear up the letter and not give her any further attention.
        Give an inch and she will take a mile.

      • Body corporate should be called to install an extraction fan in laundry?

        • Costs money that none of us have due to a pending special levy. Perhaps on the to do list. I assume the fan have to go all the way up the side of the building to the roof (two storey building)? Also not sure if that would solve the fragrance problem if it cooled with the hot air and came back down to the level of her unit windows?

        • +1

          @John Kimble: There is always a solution, typically in these scenarios we see vent ducts running outside the building to the roof clearing the laundry away from hotel rooms or apartments

          But like you said costs money

  • +2

    Hi John. You asked the Internet if you should be nice or be a dick to someone with a borderline request. Guess what the Internet replied? Unless you were really seeking validation for the choice to be a dick, maybe the Internet wasn't the best place to ask.

    • Its far worse than that. He asked a bunch of internet cheapskates whether he should spend more money (and perhaps time/effort) to satisfy a rude serial complainers request. What actually surprising is some people think he should!

    • That's a sexist, misandrist and derogatory term you've chosen for your fragrance free soapbox.

  • -1

    I would tell her its time to stop popping the acid shes on. And if she keeps bothering you, you will tell the 100 of millions of microscopic fragrence people to move from the washing powder into her apartment

  • -1

    This is the perfect opportunity to run an experiment!
    wait for your neighbours to finish using their box,
    then pour whatever you normally use straight into it and continue as you where.

    post results in 3-4 months

    • The unsuspecting neighbours will notice very quickly the fragrance from their washing.

    • +1

      I believe that is actually criminal assualt or deliberate bodily harm.

      Deliberately knowingly exposing someone to a chemical they have made clear is not compatible with them and likely to cause injury.

      Why not bring a box of bees to a room with someone allergic to bees while your at it, to 'test' their allergy

  • -1

    Either:
    a) Put up a stand and ask her to get her own washing machine/dryer for her apartment
    b) Ask for her to test a panel of c.10 detergents to allow you all to select from.

    I personally would be a bit frustrated but look to accommodate. The wife uses OMO but I prefer Biozet for my clothes as I think it gives it a better wash and does not clump after time like OMO does.

    FYI, it looks like Big W does it cheapest at a regular price at $30 for 5kg

  • -1

    She is insane!

  • -1

    Can you vote her of the island? lol Let us (Ozbargain) help we will be the judges and chose what ever detergent is cheapest.

    You may need to budget some of these into the hearing costs. Maybe even put the detergent inside of these and burn it?
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/waxworks-120cm-mini-bamboo-flare…

  • +6

    For all the people now bagging the OP.
    There are a lot worse neighbor scenarios out there. A lot worse, personally I would pick this lady over a lot of people that have commented here, some seem pretty close to malicious and I am really hoping they are just trying to be funny .

    But say we make her move out, as is a common suggestion.
    Now pick a replacement from the following, a drug dealer, drum player, partier, drunk, violent drunk, pedophile, wifebeater, thief, screaming couple, drug addict, rude a-hole bully, drunk driver, pervert, rev head etc.
    Or y'know count your blessings, look at the bright side in she will probably notice if there is a thief or stalker on the premises and actually say something about it and just roll your eyes at the next occasional poorly worded letter.

    • +2

      Rev head so I can borrow he's tool and have a chat maybe hang out and play some gran turismo.
      I would chose the pervert second so he or she can eye me out and yell abuse at me and make me feel sexy I'll just play like I don't want the attention lol.

      • +1

        I do respect you don't gender discriminate against your perverts.
        I did notice your rev head seems a bit of a perv as well though lending his tool out so easy.

        • Yes he's pry bar and or screw drivers get offered around a lot lol

          The rev head could be a female then I'd be in trouble from my partner for associating with her.

  • I can only handle passive aggressive behaviour for so long before I snap and call people out on it in a not-so-nice way. I think most people do eventually get sick of it and say something they wish they hadn't. There's no easy way to draw the line but it's best to do it while you're clear headed. Good luck.

  • +3

    When did everyone become so rude and insensitive?

    The person made a friendly request and i hear lot of b!tching.

    The real sooks in the whole situation is not the email asking politely, but those looking to be tough and aggressively throwing insults.

    The constructive solution here is kindly ask the requester if she can purchase a box of the detergent for you once a month
    Ask them to provide you a box once a month as allergic people sometime even change reactions to detergents or recipe changes.

    This month OMO sensitive is ok but next may not be and they maybe getting Bosistos.
    If they buy it, if you run out that month you can buy more yourself and still be cost neutral or spending less.

    • +2

      I think you lack the life experience to realise that a friendly request can be met with a polite declination. Do you really think that is an option here? A friendly request with only one outcome is known in the industry as an 'order' and only slave mentality drones follow them. The options here are comply or escalate. That's a threat with a feigned smile. I think you are naive if you think a polite no would end this.

      • +2

        I don't understand/agree with the majority of your posts/interactions with Gravy, but this one I agree with! haha

      • you again always looking for an argument flinging insults as always, in this case in the form of 'I Think…' that is an unnecessary addition otherwise you would have been reasonably acceptable opinion.

        Polite Declination is fine however if you read some of the comments that I am in response to.
        there is a lot of spiteful 'screw her', 'she has no right to ask at all', 'tamper with her detergent', 'she is infringing my right to bear arms', 'inflict psychological harm', 'go on prove she is a hypochondriac', '

        • +1

          Can I nominate you for a Nobel Peace Prize for this: "i hear lot of b!tching. The real sooks in the whole situation…"

          Your comments read like they were transcribed by buggy early dictation software.

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