Am I crazy for this?

So I haven’t been on good terms with my roommates for quite some time now. I will say however I have never initiated any conflict. I keep to myself, and clean up after myself. They on the other hand do not always choose to do so. Its more of a half done kind of thing. Before our falling out I kept my silverware in the designated area with everyone else, but noticed there was food particles in it. I hate kitchens, and generally an area with tile flooring. I prefer for them to be spotless, but not everyone feels as I do. Then the drying rack where they keep dishes they have “washed” contains food particles, and a nasty grey water slurry that makes my skin crawl. Needless to say I do not use those things. I kept silverware in my room, until my big “dish wash” day, and hand washed my dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.

The pots and pans were theirs, but when I would go to use them, even though they were put back as clean they would have grease and dried food in them. It made wanting to cook a nightmare. Since all I had were my own plates and a few eating utensils I started eating out. Before break I went into the kitchen to grab something to eat with, and the silverware placed in the till as clean had food caked up on it. This was not the first incident.

I do not mind sharing, but having partially cleaned plates, bowls, saucers, and silverware, especially when its yours is frustrating. I even found my roommate mixing her hair products in one of my bowls. When I confronted her about it, she tried to argue and say that it was okay because she cleaned them very well after use. She has her bowls and silverware and her best friends bowls to use, but instead used mine and mixed everything with my silverware.

I went home and brought back my pots and pans, as well as cups and anything else I was lacking, and separated my items. When I did they got upset and sent a drawn out text in a group message attacking me together, as usual. They said I was wrong, and that I needed to ensure that I used nothing of theirs. I was told to purchase my own trashcan, and whatever else I lacked, and that they did not need to use my items. In response I simply told them that I was tired of coming in and finding my dishes dirty. I told them about the till and the drying rack as well. They told me if I had a problem with their stuff then I should have cleaned it, but I was tired of doing that. They tried to tell me that they did not notice any of these things, but I don’t see how you couldn’t. It did not bother them, so I changed my stuff so that it would no longer bother me. Am I wrong for this?

No, they’re the ones who are wrong. Especially since you’ve not only put up with it but gone out of your way to find alternative solutions.

My housemates are the same way, and I’m a major germaphobe concerning all things that are food or touch food, so I feel your pain. I keep all my dishes and cutlery in my room (I didn’t bring that much so it’s not too much of a hassle to store), hand wash my dishes using my own towels (so I don’t have to use the drying rack), and I eat out a lot (whatever food I have is also in my closet). I don’t even want to put things on the countertops or in the refrigerator unless absolutely necessary.

I get why your roommates would be offended that you don’t want them using your stuff; no one likes being called dirty. But the reality is that some people are more sensitive to mess than others, and some people grew up never having to clean. Their response is petty, to be honest, but technically, if you have the right to withhold your stuff from them, they have the right to withhold their stuff from you.

No, you’re not wrong. Keeping your stuff separate is the obvious way to go when there are different standards…

@OnMyWay2013 I do not mind using my own stuff, I brought it in so that I could keep things how I wanted them. Honestly I believe that it was just one of them, but they are bffs so they attack together.

There is no such thing as crazy. Everyone has their own opinion.