Laundry and Shopping Rota

Who this is for

Shared shop and washing machine, taken in turns. The rota says whose week it is to buy communal items and who has the machine on which day, and the shared list keeps track of what is needed, who bought it and what it cost.

Housemates and flatmates sharing a kitchen and a washing machine who are tired of running out of toilet roll or finding the machine full.

What this helps you track

• Whose turn it is to do the shared shop each week
• Who has the washing machine on each day
• What communal items are running low
• Who bought what and what it cost, ready to settle up
• The essentials the flat always keeps in stock

How to use it

1. Write the flat, the names of everyone sharing and the first week commencing date.
2. Fill in the rota a few weeks ahead, rotating the shop between housemates and giving each person machine days that suit their timetable.
3. Add communal items to the shared list as they run low, with the date they are needed by.
4. Whoever shops ticks the item, writes the cost and their name, and keeps the receipt.
5. Settle up the shared list at an agreed point, and print a fresh sheet or reset the browser version.

Formats

• Printable PDF (A4 and US Letter)
• Fillable PDF with form fields
• Fill in online, saved in your browser

The printable is laid out inside a box that fits both A4 and US Letter, so the two files are identical and neither one is scaled. The fillable PDF has real form fields. The online version keeps what you enter in your own browser and builds the completed PDF on your device.

How to print

Download the A4 or US Letter file to match the paper in your printer, open it in a PDF reader and print at 100% — not "fit to page", which shrinks the writing space. Both files leave a 14 mm margin, which clears the unprintable edge on home printers. To print the online version with your entries in it, use the Print this sheet button, which prints only the sheet and none of the page around it. More on printing.

Questions

How do we split the cost of the shared shop?

The list records who paid for each item. Add up what each person has paid over the period and settle the differences; a separate settle-up sheet or bills calculator does the arithmetic if the flat wants it worked out.

What if someone misses their turn?

Swap turns and write the change on the rota rather than letting it slide. A visible record of swaps is usually enough to keep the rota fair without anyone having to chase.

Does it set how many laundry slots each person gets?

No. Agree that between you, based on how many people share the machine and when each person is in. The rota only records the arrangement so everyone can see it.

Should personal food go on the shared list?

Usually not. Keep the list to things the whole flat uses, such as cleaning products, toilet roll and bin bags, so the cost is shared fairly.