This is another one of those things that is best done from the get go. Setting a schedule for household chores not only ensures that there will be no question of who’s turn it was to clean the toilet, but it also helps you keep track of your responsibilities.
Some hints for schedules:
Mix up the chores so you don’t get bored, or grossed out
Set a weekly deadline for the completion of chores
If there’s a penalty—you’ll get it done
Wash your own dishes—and the others in the sink
It’s hard to believe how many roommates cite dishes as the main annoyance in their living arrangement. If your apartment has a dishwasher, thank your lucky stars but don’t forget to use it. After you cook a meal, make sure to put your dishes in the dishwasher or wash them by hand. If there are other plates and cups in the bowl of the sink, wash them as well. It’s exhausting to keep a mental tally of how many times your roommate does or doesn’t do the dishes. He or she probably has a good reason for leaving them and if you’ve arranged the rules ahead of time, they know their responsibilities.
Instead of getting frustrated, leaving nasty notes, or even throwing a plate of half-eaten spaghetti against the wall, the easier solution is to simply wash them. Hopefully, when you have to run off to a class, work, or a hot date, your roommate won’t mind a little washing up.