Washing problem

[higgle]

Being somewhat lazy working mum I've always dried my washing in the tumble drier and it comes out lovely and soft. Hang out delicates on banisters upstairs and they dry very well there. DH now on economy drive and has bought me a clothes line and wants it used. I think this is a good idea but all the washing I hang out goes hard and boardlike and the towels are all scratchy - why does this happen? My mother's line dried washing is lovely. Most of my neighbours hang their washing out - can see it through bathroom window - am I doing something wrong? at present bring it in quite wet and do last 10 minutes in tumble drier, but this somewhat defeats the object. Can anyone advise?

[ABitStretched]

i absolutlely refused to use line dryer til ds2 was 1- fair enough i thought as it is quite hard to hang out wasing with a small child attached to your bosom! so i am also a bit of a novice. I use similar technique to you except i wait until washing is dry then put it in tumble dryer with a clean tea towel/ piece of kitchen towel I've made a bit wet and put dryer on for just a few mins. I justify the environmental devastation this causes because it cuts down on ironing time - if i get the laundry out of the dryer and fold quick enough virtually nothing needs ironing.

[higgle]

Pleased to see I'm not the only one with this problem - if the washing is very dry and hard and needs softening up some fabric conditioner on a wet j cloth is good too. Have also freshened up dry clean only clothes in emergency with damp j cloth and fabric conditioner in short tumble dry.

[Chinwag]

I have the same problem. I am watching with interest.

[Buda]

Maybe you are leaving the clothes out for too long? That is the only thing I can think of. I line dry too and would agree that the towels can be hard but I don't find other things are hard.