Hi
We always travel with our own herbs, spices and condiments, along with our basic provisions. It is never until we get to the sit that the HO will confirm what we are allowed to use in their kitchen cupboards. Some HO’s are wonderful and allow us a free rein. Whilst less often, others offer nothing! Wouldn’t it be useful if in the app they could advise us in advance, saving us on much packing? What have other sitters experiences been like?
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Can’t you ask the HO’s before the sit starts?
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I collect free packets of salt/pepper/mustard/ketchup/mayo/milk/sugar/coffee/tea …. it’s useful to have a supply of the basics in handy sized packets to get started.
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Many might not feel comfortable asking if it’s okay to use certain supplies.
I would love for the Welcome Guide to have a section: ‘What consumables is it okay for the sitter to use?’ and if nothing is added there, then we know we need to take our own.
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@Veecey Hello! We are homeowners and sitters. In our homeowner’s listing, we state:
“We provide all the basic cooking tools and items such as spices, herbs, salt and pepper, oil, vinegar, flour and sugar, etc. Condiments in the fridge are yours to use freely. Most of the fridge and freezer will be empty for your own food.”
This way, sitters know when they get their groceries, they don’t have to get the “basics.” That’s all taken care of.
Our listing is linked in our Forum profile, if you want to see what I mean.
As sitters, we freely use these kinds of basics, and the homeowners we’ve sat for are OK with it.
If you are looking at a sit and this info is not in the HO’s listing, ask about it when you have your video chat (before confirming the sit). You should be good to go!
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You used to be able to personalise the welcome message on the front page of the guide. That’s were I used to put the bit about food etc so it didn’t get lost in the body of the Welcome Guide. Sadly that function has been taken away. 
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Hmmm. . .Veecey, I’m guessing you’re traveling in a car. . .?
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As a sitter, I usually say to the homeowner that the only items I appreciate using in their kitchen are oils, condiments and spices and I’ve never had a problem with them accommodating that. I bring a few spices of my own with me and also have discovered some great spices and condiments on house sits which have now become staples in my home 
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Personally I don’t feel comfortable asking. I’d prefer for them to state. As others have mentioned it would be useful for the HO to confirm this in their Welcome guide and for THS to make this a section that they should complete. That said, we have had a personal Welcome guide emailed to us a couple of times. So it’s their win put together one, rather than one released via the app.
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It would be weird to ask for salt. I just use it. (I am hardly cooking anything. But an egg needs a pinch of salt.)
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Do you do a video chat with HOs before accepting? I don’t think it needs to be a big deal! You could just add it into your list of matter-of-fact questions you ask about the sit. Once you’re through with the basics of the pet and care, it can be on the same level as questions about sleeping arrangements and public transport.
Personally I’ve always found HOs encourage me to help myself, but the amounts I use would be so negligible I doubt HOs would notice.
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Most homeowners we’ve sat for right from the beginning have said help yourselves to anything in the fridge. We’ve done over 40 sits so I do personally feel comfortable saying I appreciate being able to use your spices, oils and condiments. I’m not sure I’d want to sit for someone who expected me to bring jars of condiments with me or expect me to shop for them especially on a short sit. As others have said, it would be great to have this stated in the welcome guide.
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I think people are stressing out about nothing.
I agree with @lolrj with the comment above.
13 THS sits so far - we have been free to use all condiments - of course not all homes have the herbs and spices that I might use
So I do have a small case of herbs and spices that I take with me for a long sit.
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I mostly do ‘short sits’, so can only base my opinion on that.
But honestly if I were a host as long as the sitter doesn’t go nuts I would definitely give them access to the pantry for ‘staples’ as a minimum.
Would I want them to eat out if they preferred to cook. Nope, I would prefer they use a bit of oil, the odd egg, chutney etc. for their brunch and have a nice time in my house spending time with my pets.
Same for streaming services. If its no huge cost why would I not give them access?
I would WANT them to sit on the couch and cuddle my pets! I would probably leave microwave popcorn and a tub of ice-cream to try and entice them to do it 
For me, its been access to the pantry staples at all sits. I don’t go nuts. If I use a lot of something, I might replace it. Or buy a full container of something like olive oil to ‘chip in’.
Sometimes I do a but more, for example I arrived early afternoon on my last sit, and just went out to grab the ‘big stuff’.
Because I didn’t have to fuss around, I had time/energy for ‘pizza night’. Cat got all the pats, and I used a few bits and pieces for extra toppings.
When I left, there was a bottle of wine based on the hosts choice preference and some cat treats to ‘dispense’. That would be far nicer to me than knowing no-one touched my mayonnaise!
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We allow access to all pantry staples and anything open in the fridge. It would be silly to expect sitters to buy or bring salt, pepper, oils, etc.
We also have a fresh herb garden in our yard that Sitters are free to use as much of as they’d like.
The only thing we restrict is alcohol. We have a modest collection of wine and spirits that we ask Sitters to refrain from taking (other then the one or two welcome bottles we leave for them if they indicate that they imbibe).
Same with basic toiletries - they can help themselves to soap, shampoo, etc in the guest bathroom. No need for sitters to hauling all that everywhere unless they are particular about a brand.
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Also as a homeowner I do spell this out in the welcome guide but not in my listing. I would not be offended at all if a Sitter asked on a video call. In fact if I was a sitter I would ask because if an owner were that particular to not want me to touch their salt and pepper - I’d probably just pass on that sit to be honest.
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We have had an HO here complaining about missing ice cubes in the ice cube tray!
Some of these people are a bit difficult to deal with. That is why sitters get worried about leaving the sofa cushions in their original place etc. And about using some cooking oil.
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Hi Both
I’ve just taken a read of your profile and have to say it’s by far the most informative one I’ve read todate! Also what caring and wonderful homeowners you sound. Wish you were based in the UK! Hopefully other HO’s will be led by your great example of what us House sitters find so useful to know, in advance of accepting a sit. 
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I’ve had the pleasure of sitting for Ken and Mary. They were gracious hosts who were transparent and easy to partner with. Their cats are sweeties, too! I highly recommend their sit.
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