The key with a p-a cleaning is doing it in a demonstrative fashion looking to get a reaction. Like "I need to guilt them into doing it". Intent matters I think. This hepothetical untidy roommate would notice the p-a because of a frown, irritated movements and too loud sighs. Or a stony silence, that works too.

Well, telling someone 'Poor you, are you seek?'
And the other answers: 'No. Oo'
And the first one goes: 'Oh maybe you just didn't get enough sleep'
The person: ':('
In the above there's no way the symphathy was genuene! Usually it's all in the intonation and a subtext. Like do these people even like each other?

For ex., A forgot the B's Birthday. B isquietly fuming. They go to see friends. B tells all the embarassing stories looking at A from time to time. A grits teeth and tries to interupt the flow politely. The friends are oblivious.