Will my washing suffer from being rained on?

[Smurfgirl]

My mum was horrified when I mentioned I had washing out in the rain and she said I should re-wash. I usually bring in if its raining but this was a quickie rain shower and I was watching tv busy.

Will anything bad happen to my clothes if they get wet in the rain? My mum says that rain is dirty water so the clothes will get mucky again.

[southeastastra]

really? i heard that rain water softened the washing.

[alarkaspree]

I've always been surprised when people say they re-wash their washing when it's been rained on but lots of people do, apparently.

Rain starts as evaporated, i.e. pure, water. During the process of turning into droplets and falling from the sky it picks up impurities from the air. So by that logic you should also re-wash your clothes if they have been out in the air.

If your washing is completely soaked by rain, it's probably worth spinning it again in the machine, otherwise it will take a very long time to dry and might smell musty.

[Smurfgirl]

It literally rained for 2 minutes and then was sunny and breezy again, it smells fine.

My mum thinks I am a slattern when it comes to laundry anyway so I think she has very high standards.

[ItsAllaBitNoisy]

In Ireland, thats just the main rinse.

[Notalone]

I usually leave mine out until it dries again - I have also found for some reason that really stubborn stains that refuse to budge on a 60 degree intensive wash often come out when clothes are rained on. If anyone knows the science behind this little fact I would love to hear it

[dreamteamgirl]

Notalone
I have found that again- always wondered if it is acid rain or something?

God, I would NEVER rewash clothes just cos they had been rained on!! Some people have to much time on their hands!!

[OrmIrian]

No. The record in this house is 3 days I think including several natural rinse and dry cycles. Smelt v nice afterwards.

[southeastastra]

ha notalone, maybe the staines are bleached out from the sun?

[neversaydie]

Just an extra rinse so far as I am concerned.

Once out my washingi stays until it is dry - I really cannot be bothered with constant in and outing.

[satonthesofa]

I also find that things need much less ironing after a 'special' rinse!

[SparkyToo]

I don't worry about it too much either - though probably isn't the cleanest rain in London!!

[ChristieF]

I don't think things need re-washing although we live near the sea not industrial area. If rain is good enough to water plants with why would it dirty clothes?