We have a sitter confirmed for a 2 month stay at our home. Are we responsible to leave enough toilet paper, clothes soap, personal soap, coffee, etc.?
I don’t think so.
As a sitter, when the liquid hand wash runs out, I try to find the same brand. Or something else, I don’t think that is very important.
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If I’m there for a long sit I use ho supplies then leave enough for them coming back…I buy my own toiletries.
ENOUGH FOR THEM COMING BACK
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It is great when Owners allow the Sitters to use oils, vinegars, spices, and small amounts of pantry and fridge items (like mustard, bread crumbs, flour), but overall, I don’t think that Owners need to provide beverages or food (including coffee). Just be clear about the kitchen items.
How much would it cost to supply TP and various soaps (hand soap, laundry soap, dishwashing soaps, bar soap) for a Sitter for 2 months? Maybe $20-30 USD??
Depending on how far a Sitter is traveling to get to your home, and if they are coming by car or not, and depending how close a larger store is—it would be nice for you to supply these items, and just ask the Sitter to either 1) replenish or 2) let you know if something runs out so that you are not left “high and dry” on return from your trip.
Reasonable Sitters will naturally replenish some items. Look at Sitter’s reviews. When Owners say they are “the best,” “outstanding,” “amazing,” etc…I doubt these Sitters took advantage of an Owner.
We are always very fair and judicious in our use of resources. We may use small amounts of many pantry items, and then buy several new items for the Owner on their return (same brands they normally use). One Owner had empty liquid hand soap containers at the 2 sinks, so we bought brand new ones for them. Not a big deal. That Sit was only one week.
There are other threads about this topic that you may want to review.
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Hello @HtiduJ67 and welcome!
For two months of pet and home care, I would be happy to leave my THsitters ample TP/TP/hand soap/dish soap/laundry soap & dryer sheets/DW soap/ a bottle of shampoo & conditioner/cleaning products and some welcoming provisions upon their arrival.
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Hmm you don’t have to leave items but it would be nice of you. Every house sit I’ve done has left me toilet paper and other basic items. It’s not a requirement but it would be very nice
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I typically do 4-5 week sits. I always stock up to ensure there is plenty of TP, laundry and dish soap and any cleaning supplies, as well as ensuring there is MORE than enough cat food, treats and litter.
I do also provide plenty of coffee, tea, and cooking supplies (oil and spices). Things like milk, I ask ahead if they would like the remainder of what’s open (some don’t want anything perishable left in the fridge), but I don’t specifically provide it.
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We are sitters and home owners. When we do longer sits we buy our own loo paper, hand soap and tissues. We have sitters coming to stay for 3 months and we have left enough consumables for 1-2 months, after that they will need to buy their own. Happy for them to use anything as long as they leave some supplies for when we get home.
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Thank you for the good information. We intend on leaving all those items for the sitter however when they run out we feel they need to buy their own. We’re not intending for them to buy us replacements just wondered IF they are usually expected to buy their own when they run out since it is a long sit.
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You don’t have to leave any of those items @HtiduJ67 but it’s nice if you do. We’re on a month sit now where there’s plenty of loo paper, kitchen roll, washing powder, cleaning items and oils and spices. Plus bin bags, poo bags and washing up liquid & cloths. They are needed for any home in keeping it clean & functional for both humans and pets so it would seem mean to not leave them here. We carry our own filter coffee for a French press as that’s expensive. We’d also never leave a sit without some of those basic supplies still being in situ and there for the HOs return. Having done a month long sit that involved three modes of international transport to find there wasn’t a piece of loo paper in the entire home, let’s just say there’s a nice balance 
#payitforward
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We always get our own shopping and do not use any of the HO food, unless instructed. We take our own toiletries too, but not toilet rolls.
Please remember to leave plenty cupboard and fridge space for the sitters food.
And wardrobe space too, we have experienced lack of space a couple of times.
If the sit is longer than a week, I always supply my own toilet rolls etc. I use my own soaps and other toiletries and anything else. Even when sitting for my sister, I supply my own stuff, don’t see why a HO should supply these essential items that I would have to buy myself if at home. I know I am getting “free board” but I look at house-sitting as an extension of my own home and therefore if at home, I would buy and use my own things. Just because it’s someone else’s home doesn’t give me free reign to use everything, I am grateful, as are the homeowners, for a lovely place to stay and loving pets. If I do use anything, it is always replaced. Condiments like salt and pepper of course I use. Oils etc if I use I replace. Regardless of why I am in the home, it isn’t my home and I treat it accordingly so unless something has been specifically left for me, it’s not mine to use.
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Personally I’d say enough to last a couple of weeks is sufficient. But leave plenty of extra cleaning supplies and cloths, to ensure you come back to a sparkling home.
If in the UK where I live, I will take all my own stuff with me in my car, toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, washing up liquid etc
I do now take my own salt and pepper as well as once i could not find any. I dont want to be poking around in their cupboards. Most will say to help myself to anything but I rarely will.
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@HtiduJ67 sorry if this seems obvious but a sitter might appreciate a note explaining what you’ve left for them and what you’d like on your return (empties replaced, perhaps)
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It’s not an obligation, but it’s just being a nice and welcoming host.
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This! We always leave a full stock of loo roll, washing detergent, cleaning products, hand soap etc; all the same stuff that we’d leave for family members if they were sitting for us.
We also leave tea and coffee, a few basic bits and (after checking that it’s appropriate) a bottle of wine. We show sitters where all the herbs and spices live and they’re welcome to use anything… We want them to have a comfortable stay and not to have to schlep about gathering basic household necessities.
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Are you responsible to --No. However, as a HO I would leave a good amount of normal supplies or leave them some money to replenish those items. They are providing care for your home, pets and giving you piece of mind when you leave. I think it’s a small way to show your appreciation to them.
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I don’t need money from the HO to replenish the toilet paper that I use.
But it annoys me a bit when I run out of pet food and other pet supplies. On longer sits, it is maybe not so easy to estimate how much is needed, and then it is a good solution when the HO leaves some spare cash for that.
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No, I will make sure you have everything you need even tissues in your bedroom. Things I would normally have around like toilet rolls, tissues, handwash etc. You are my guests not chambermaids (or men) topping up supplies. If you run out (although I have a toilet roll mountain) there is a small amount of cash for you to buy but only if you need them. No need to worry about us.
In the kitchen you can use things you cannot be expected to travel with or buy just for the duration of your stay like oils, herbs, spices, etc.
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