Rethinking after 15yrs

For 15 years we have had our linens in unlocked cabinets. Very seldom do we have anyone help themselves to any of the linens, bath supplies, etc.

Same goes for our kitchen but even though it is unlocked we do have an 'employee's only' sign on the door. Most stop at the threshold and knock or call out my name but a few just have to cross the line, just have to go where they are not allowed.
When they cross the line or grab that extra towel I am peeved. But in reality why should I? I am the one have not secured it. I am the one that hopes our guests feel at home.
We recently decided to secure our kitchen by changing the door and adding a lock this is in addition to several other small reno projects currently underway.

But the linen cabinets are now in the forefront of my thoughts. This last weekend someone helped themselves to 6 additional towel sets. This along with a DND sign, I had no idea the towels were being piled up on the floor. Being full for the last few days I was also in constant worry I was going to run out of towels and had no clue why.

Locking this cabinet will be tricky as it will take some type of special locking system as it is an old chifferrobe, not a modern built in cabinet. I have thought about a sign INSIDE the cabinet asking those peering in to seek assistance. I think someone else mentioned placing a sign. Any other suggestions? For those that have seen the cabinet (center hall) if you have any locking ideas bring them forward.

I would try a sign first. If it happens again, then I would take action. Can you move it elsewhere so it is not accessible to guests?

How often has/does this happen? If it's a rare occurrence, just forget about it. If it happens more frequently, then go for the lock. Frankly, if someone is so rude as to go into a cabinet and take that many towels, a sign will not stop them. If folks go in there because they need a towel, and their partner is dripping wet, then it's also not a big deal for them to take 1.
I totally agree with you putting a lock on your kitchen! You'll really feel much better knowing no one can get in there.

Hopefully this is not going to be the new normal. If it necessary, I saw some childproofing cabinet locks on TV that mounted inside cabinet doors and required a magnet to unlock from the outside...I thought they looked very clever.

we have a towel cupboard on the top landing which does not lock- however it is pretty flimsy and when I finish blocking up the door next to it (starting tomorrow) we are putting something different there as it can go across the landing - we have had a few towels go but maybe 5 in 4 years so don't see it as a serious problem.

Sounds a little like trying to solve a problem you don't really have. If they really want/need eight towels, let them have them, otherwise I can see TA "great place but I was dripping wet the whole time". What ever you do for a lock, make it obvious that the cabinet is in fact locked. Hidden hardware is an invitation for trouble. I had (elsewhere, not in B&B) a cabinet with hidden push to latch, push to unlatch hardware; someone nearly pulled it over on themselves trying to open it. I think it was when it hit their head and the door sprung open that they figured it out.

Well, it's not a pure solution, but how about a childproof hidden magnetic lock on the inside? Like http://www.amazon.com/Safety-1st-Magnetic-Locking-Complete/dp/B004GCJMLG/
I have one of those cabinets. I never knew what they were called. We just call it an armoire

cute sign telling them to ask if they need assistance but also a LOCK and i have not seen the cupboard so i don't know how.
i had folks helping themselves to towels etc my first season open ... we were in a harbor which was damp enough already! ... people went out on dinner cruises and island cruises, walked on the beach, got wet! got hot! wanted to wash up before dinner so showered a lot ... wanted towels a lot. i had a sign and an old built-in linen cupboard... people ignored the sign and would help themselves. they'd say, if we caught up with them, 'we didn't want to trouble you'. my son installed child proof locks but they were tricky - you know the kind, they are inside and you have to run your finger inside to unlatch it --- and one of our chambermaids never locked it because she couldn't get the knack of unlocking.
we even had someone go into a clean unlocked room and take all the towels and the two terry robes for the incoming guests, leaving a heap of wet towels and robes on an upholstered chair in their own room. my 'fault' as i forgot to lock the room after flipping, but really ... going into a room obviously guest ready with the prettily folded washcloths and little trays of hershey kisses.

seashanty said:

cute sign telling them to ask if they need assistance but also a LOCK and i have not seen the cupboard so i don't know how.
i had folks helping themselves to towels etc my first season open ... we were in a harbor which was damp enough already! ... people went out on dinner cruises and island cruises, walked on the beach, got wet! got hot! wanted to wash up before dinner so showered a lot ... wanted towels a lot. i had a sign and an old built-in linen cupboard... people ignored the sign and would help themselves. they'd say, if we caught up with them, 'we didn't want to trouble you'. my son installed child proof locks but they were tricky - you know the kind, they are inside and you have to run your finger inside to unlatch it --- and one of our chambermaids never locked it because she couldn't get the knack of unlocking.
we even had someone go into a clean unlocked room and take all the towels and the two terry robes for the incoming guests, leaving a heap of wet towels and robes on an upholstered chair in their own room. my 'fault' as i forgot to lock the room after flipping, but really ...

going into a room obviously guest ready with the prettily folded washcloths and little trays of hershey kisses..

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Just lucky they didn't leave a little present in the toilet too!

Tom said:

Sounds a little like trying to solve a problem you don't really have. If they really want/need eight towels, let them have them, otherwise I can see TA "great place but I was dripping wet the whole time". What ever you do for a lock, make it obvious that the cabinet is in fact locked. Hidden hardware is an invitation for trouble. I had (elsewhere, not in B&B) a cabinet with hidden push to latch, push to unlatch hardware; someone nearly pulled it over on themselves trying to open it. I think it was when it hit their head and the door sprung open that they figured it out..

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Tom, it is not that I would deny them towels, it is that they TOOK them, then kept adding to the wet pile each day behind a DND sign, diminishing my stock in the cabinet.
Had they asked, I would have gladly provided them but asking for the soiled ones so they could be washed.

I have had this issue before just not in conjunction to having a DNA sign so I was able to see who was taking my clean towels and be able to remove the soiled to clean.

Jon Sable said:

Well, it's not a pure solution, but how about a childproof hidden magnetic lock on the inside? Like http://www.amazon.com/Safety-1st-Magnetic-Locking-Complete/dp/B004GCJMLG/
I have one of those cabinets. I never knew what they were called. We just call it an armoire .

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The magnetic lock just may work, have to think on this but the price is so reasonable that even if it doesn't work for our style of cabinet I won't be out much.

LOL armoire = chifferrobe I usually call it an armoire myself but had someone here from GA this week and she called it a chifferrobe, guess it stuck.

I would definitely figure out a way to lock anything up you don't want guests in. I am lucky that I have hall storage closets with regular doors that can have locking door knobs. Before I had knobs that locked guests would often go in and see what was in there and take stuff. I love having a locked kitchen too. It gives me a lot of relief knowing someone won't be tampering with my stuff. The rest of the house they are free to enjoy.

In my mind I am blurring this thread with the soaking towels near the toilet valve thread.

Joey Bloggs said:

In my mind I am blurring this thread with the soaking towels near the toilet valve thread..

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Joey Bloggs said:

In my mind I am blurring this thread with the soaking towels near the toilet valve thread.

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But not related, that was not my thread. Nothing leaking. Just wet from normal use.

scrambled_eggs said:

I would definitely figure out a way to lock anything up you don't want guests in. I am lucky that I have hall storage closets with regular doors that can have locking door knobs. Before I had knobs that locked guests would often go in and see what was in there and take stuff. I love having a locked kitchen too. It gives me a lot of relief knowing someone won't be tampering with my stuff. The rest of the house they are free to enjoy..

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I prefer everything locked then you know no one can touch it - its not so much people stealing things its touching them and messing about with them