I host and I sit. Granted I’m rarely away more than 2 weeks at a time, but I can’t imagine not leaving enough toilet paper for my guests. Regarding other stuff, nice to have. It’s not very costly to buy some coffee and teas if they drink that.
In terms of what I leave: Enough: coffee, tea, toilet paper, shampoo, bodywash, handsoap, toothpaste, oil, vinegar, spices. I clean my fridge before a sit, and get rid of old condiments but whatever is still good, sitters are welcome to use. I also let them know that if they need a quick meal they are welcome to open a can of soup or two or three, or to have any of the Trader Joe’s frozen entrees. These are rarely gone when I come back! As I live in an apartment with shared laundry facilities, I leave enough money on the laundry card for them to a load or two of personal wash and/or to refresh the linens and towels left for them if it’s a longer sit.
As a sitter, I’ve sometimes replaced paper towels because they are expensive and I sometimes feel like I’m using too many, and I’ve often replaced or replensished various items including toilet paper, handsoap, and kitchen staples. That’s courtesy. However, if I the homeowner left a roll or two of toilet paper in the home, or I wound up spending my own money and guessing on products to clean the home, and/or there were no staples left and had to buy everything including cooking oil, I might leave a less enthusiastic review.
Most sits I fly in for, so its nice if the host has shampoo, conditioner, a blow dryer for my use so I’m not having to drag that stuff with me. And agree that its nice to have enough toilet paper. Like others have said, if you were going to someone’s home to pet sit for them, what would you appreciate!?
I agree with much of what you say, but I don’t agree that sitters are “giving up” anything. This is a mutual exchange and sitters and hosts are really in a role often played by family and friends so they should be treated by those standards.
I would feel that the host didn’t appreciate me very much if there was insufficient TP or paper towels for my sit. Soap, shampoo, and laundry soap are nice to have but not essential. Same with oils and spices. I always replace any food we consume even when the host leaves it for us and says we are welcome to it.
When hosts are generous with us, we reciprocate by leaving them a card and flowers or a gift card to a favorite local restaurant or something of that nature they can enjoy upon their return. If a host makes minimal effort, we take care of their home and pets but do not leave anything other than a polite thank you note at the end of the sit.
As a sitter I would like to have sufficient toilet paper provided. If I used it all I would buy some so you had some in your return. I would also like sufficient washing up liquid, detergent for washing machine. And cleaning products. Again these I would replace if I used it all. I have been on sits where I’ve had to buy products to clean their house because they’d ran out! Anything else is a bonus. So milk and bread etc is very gratefully received. Use of spices and sauces is also really nice but never expected I always ask.
I am a HO and a sitter. I have a beautiful house on the water. Of course you should leave toilet paper and basic household supplies such as dish and laundry soap. I’m am very generous with my wonderful sitters and leave a gift basket and gift cards for them to enjoy while they are at my home caring for my beloved pup.
When I am a sitter I usually go above and beyond for someone’s beloved pet. Show the sitter your gratitude for the tender loving care they give your pet.
I always try to replenish what I use whenever possible. I confess that I prefer using paper towels (please don’t judge me! ), so I usually bring my own or use theirs sparingly or replace before I leave. It imagine it can be quite frustrating to come home after being away and find that all your supplies are depleted. For instance, using the dishwasher only to realize there is just one pod left, or discover the not only the bathroom toilet paper is gone but the whole pack of toilet paper is down to only a few rolls. Given how expensive those items have become, it’s definitely a concern I try to be considerate of.
I started packing a few sheets of laundry detergent and a few dish washing pods when I go on sits. Cheap and easy, since I usually do only one- or two-weeks sits. I also use the laundry detergent sheets when I do road trips or take cruises with washers and dryers.
For folks who might not be familiar, a couple of examples:
@Maggie8k Have you ever found a laundry sheet that works with silks and wool? I have searched and searched to no avail. Most of the sheets will say they are safe for all fabrics but when I read the fine print they have enzymes, which will ruin silk and wool. I’m tired of having to buy Woolite at every sit and would love to find a sheet substitute if you know of any. (Woolite is available only as a liquid so doesn’t travel well)
As they don’t have a fragrance, I pop a few drops of essential oil on whatever I have put them in. The ones I get do come with a little bag, but the drawstring always breaks after a while, so I have been putting them in the wash inside a pair of odd socks!
), so I usually bring my own or use theirs sparingly or replace before I leave. It imagine it can be quite frustrating to come home after being away and find that all your supplies are depleted. For instance, using the dishwasher only to realize there is just one pod left, or discover the not only the bathroom toilet paper is gone but the whole pack of toilet paper is down to only a few rolls. Given how expensive those items have become, it’s definitely a concern I try to be considerate of.
