Suggestions of nice verbage for off limit/private areas?

[Bernadette82]

My laundry machines are not included nor the items in my pantry. I have cases of water that don't fit so they sit outside of the pantry doors. They have been opened by several guests. The private entry is through the laundry room and guests have been doing their laundry, even after I told them not to. I need some nice professional verbage that I can put on a sign on the washing machine and on the pantry doors. It's in the agreement but not all of the guests read the agreement. I have signs everywhere for everything, I think it's ridiculous but that's the only way it works. Please help. 

[Mike340]

@Bernadette82

For a while I put a cover and padlock over the washing machine plug, so that they couldnt plug it into the wall socket and switch it on. Maybe that is something for you to consider.

For the water and pantry ....agreements and signs dont count for much if someone wants to just help themselves...they will just tend to say that you must have been mistaken and kick up a fuss suggesting that are calling them thieves or liars..or such like...then it has the potential to get messy...

What you may have to consider (seeing as you already have asked and a number of guests just arent taking any notice) is to work out the value what you think on average is consumed and add that to the prices you charge....

[Bernadette82]

Thank you. Good suggestion. 

[Matthew285]

@Bernadette82 I would think simple and direct would work.

"Please do not use Washing Machine. It is not for use by Guests."

[Bernadette82]

Thank you. 

[Bruce0]

Bernadette,

I will offer a suggestion but I am not in a destination location so maybe it will not work for you (85% of our guests are overnighting or pausing in a long road trip.) 

Right from when I started offering my space I stocked a mini fridge with waters and juices that are complimentary. I also put in a couple craft beer and a bottle of prosecco and honour system ask for local cost on them. Beer/cider/whatever that past guests left behind be are also comped. We also put out a little snack for a welcome treat: homemade cookies and milk in cool season; tortilla chips and salsa or garden berries (or peas) in hot weather. We have NEVER had anyone abuse the freebies. (Just  our reaction to the $5 for 50¢ worth of peanuts in every $300/night hotel mini bar.)

Average direct cost for what guests take is maybe $1 CA at most and it does marvels for goodwill and helps cushion the blow of finding out that they can only take a navy (boarding house) shower. 

Perhaps a selection of complimentary stuff will reduce the raids on your stock.

For the washing machine I would chop the electrical cord near the machine and install a plug and receptacle at the break; take the extension cord  away once you are done your laundry.

[Letti0]

@Bernadette82  Move the water into your bedroom. Do you have a door on the panty? If so buy a lock for it. If not put a 8" x 10" picture frame "Private Area Do Not Enter" on the wall right by the entrance. You can get a tension bar and hang a nice curtain on it so what is there is not in plain sight. For the laundry area use another frame "Washer & Dryer Are Not For Guests Use" and then like the others say unplug both.