Awkward Roommate WTF

[eredien]

I went to go clean the toilet in our downstairs bathroom today. I noticed that the toilet brush, in the corner by the toilet, had a label. It read, "[J]'s water bottle brush--not for toilets!"

I don't know if that label is new or not. It's only on one side. I have *totally* cleaned the toilet with that toilet brush before, since:
a.) it is a toilet brush
b.) it is right next to the toilet

I felt secure in assuming, as my other roommate E. stated, that since these conditions are met, "99.9% of the people in the world would assume it is a brush for toilets."

I have never noticed the label before. It is possible it was there previously, but since it is only labeled on one side, if I didn't see the label (eg, it was dark, or the toilet brush was turned the other way) I would not have seen the label.

I really hope the label isn't new.
I really, really hope it has not been used as a non-toilet brush since I used it to clean the toilet.
I wonder why anyone would keep something they are using for their water bottles near the toilet, especially if it looks like something that is always meant to be used to clean the toilet.

What to do? Should I get my roommate a bottle brush? Oh god, what kind of warning email do I send with the gift? "Here's a new bottle brush, please keep it away from the toilet?" or "Um, I bought you a bottle brush for your bottles, since I assumed your previous bottle-toilet brush was for the toilet?" This roommate already doesn't like me and I *really* hope that he doesn't think I did it to piss him off or make him ill on purpose, but at the same time I *really* don't want him to get sick from not knowing the toilet brush has been used as...a toilet brush.

This is an example of the kind of slightly quirky but honestly really inconvenient thinking that is driving me and my roommate E. slowly out of our minds and out of the apartment altogether.

Comments

[eredien]

I think I probably will do this, but he is away from the house for 5 or 6 days on end. I have done something mistaken in the past and apologized for it and offered to put it right, though, and he brings it up constantly but denies he is upset about it...so I am a little frustrated that my apology will backfire.

[delcan.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there's always the possibility (and sometimes probability) of backfiring... the toughest part is trying to do the decent thing when you know that others won't.

Take care, and try to hold out hope. At least one person can do good in this situation. :)