When doing the laundry, is it common courtesy to check pant pockets?

Question

My parent thinks it's the owner of the pants to check the pockets and if anything important gets washed it's not the person who put the pants into the washing machine's fault.

Answer 1

It's not a matter of courtesy; it's a matter of necessity. If the owner of the pants leaves something in the pocket that could ruin a whole load of laundry because of staining or other problems, that's exactly what will happen. All it takes is a ball point pen, a tube of lip balm, or something similar to ruin a LOT of expensive clothing. If the owner of the pants is not willing to let the person doing the wash check the pockets for items left in there, then I'd say the owner of the pants gets to start doing his/her own laundry SEPARATELY!!! I certainly wouldn't be putting "un-checked" clothing in with mine!

Answer 2

Its not just courtesy its the fact that if you don't then someone may have Kleenex or other papers in their pockets, and then you will have all that little linty paper all over the clothes. What a pain that is, and looks awful. Also, there may be important papers in the pockets or gum or other goop that may get into the washer, and dryer. And there may be things that can rust or are of sentimental value, such as pictures or a check etc. Check the pockets, always always check the pockets, its more than a courtesy call its smart laundering . Gb and Gl

Answer 3

You could say it's common courtesy to check your own pockets before putting your pants in the laundry. And, since somebody who does your laundry is actually doing you a favor, that makes sense.
As a parent, though, I once found a bunch of broken glass in the washing machine after my daughter had left something fragile in her pocket. I didn't make my daughter clean it up, because I didn't want her to cut herself.
So, I decided that it's common sense to check the pant pockets before washing them. Still, I don't always remember. Once I even washed a cell phone.
Maybe you could both make an effort to make things easier for each other.
And don't sweat the small stuff.

Answer 4

I believe it is courtesy on both ends of the process. The person who owns the clothes should check the pockets when they disrobe to try to avoid washing things that need not be washed. Now, the person who is actually doing the laundry should also double check to make sure there isn't anything that could leak, break or harm the clothes in the washer or dryer. That could potentially ruin everyones clothes, not just the person who left items in their pockets.

Answer 5

It would be nice if they did that, but it's also a good idea to check your pants pockets beforehand.

My suggestion is to just do your own laundry. My parents kept leaving my clothes in the washer or leaving stuff in the pockets like that. I never complained about it, but I started doing my own laundry when I was 12. I guess it's carried over a bit because I'm an adult now and I still get secretly annoyed if one of my boyfriends does my laundry. I like being independent. ;)

Answer 6

Common courtesy has nothing to do with it. If anything important gets washed it's the pants owner at fault. HOWEVER, if the washing machine breaks because of something in the pockets, it's ALSO the owner's fault. Unless you're 5 or less, you can check your own pants pockets. After that, be responsible.

Answer 7

As a parent I am trying to get my son to check his pockets. To be on the safe side I double check to make sure. One time I forgot to check my pant pockets and left gum in the pocket. It did OK in the washer but the dryer the gum got all over the drum. Thank goodness for WD40 it saved the day I got all the gum out with WD40. It took forever. I learned my lesson to check the pockets.

Answer 8

Your parents are right. It is not their fault if the owner of the pants leaves something in the pockets. If the owner of the pants wants to be picky.... then they should be doing their OWN laundry.

Answer 9

When I was younger, I always thought it should be the responsibility of the one doing the laundry. Of course my mom had washed several things of mine that I had left in the pockets of my clothes and at that age I blamed her. Surprisingly I still feel it is the responsibility of the one doing the laundry. I always check my hubby's pockets before I wash his clothes.

Answer 10

Well it is very courteous to do someones laundry, but it might not be appreciated if you ruin their favorite lipstick in the process, or shred up the picture of their mom left in their back pocket. So I would say yes It is courteous to check pockets, and it may save you from a huge mess in the case of the lipstick, or chewing gum, or anything like that. And hey, you can keep the change for your laundry fee lol.