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Original poster

People who hang out washing in heavy rain

183 replies

Klonc · 08/06/2025 06:26

Why do people insist on putting out washing when having heavy rain?

If out all day, don’t do it. If in, take it in as soon as it rains!

Washing stinks when out in the rain. Or when is stuck in the washing machine - as parents’ washing machine on Friday. It didn’t drain - the pump has gone. I took the load home with me and washed it as stank. Not strong, but enough to feel conscious about it.

OP posts:
minnienono · 08/06/2025 10:01

I’ve hung mine out in drizzle many a morning because it’s forecast to clear up, being on the coast morning sea mist with drizzle is common, by 10am sunshine, I’m at work by then

EwwSprouts · 08/06/2025 09:59

Where do you live that you have stinky rain?
I wouldn't hang washing out in the rain but it might get caught in a shower while I'm at work. Tumble dryers cost a fortune to run.

Sera1989 · 08/06/2025 09:58

My NDN does this, it’s out for days sometimes. They always remember to bring it in when they have a bonfire though, but no warning for other neighbours’ washing.

I once found a big spider on the gusset of my pants and was put off outdoor drying for life so only do it occasionally

TheSilentSister · 08/06/2025 09:53

Washing that's been rained on smells lovely and fresh when dried.

ThisUsernameIsNowTaken · 08/06/2025 09:49

You seem strangely invested in other people's lives, OP.

Doggymummar · 08/06/2025 09:42

I hung mine out yesterday. We are in a hard water area and the rain makes it lovely and soft.

Sahara123 · 08/06/2025 09:37

MoistVonL · 08/06/2025 06:32

Because they hadn’t checked the forecast. Because they hoped to be back before the rain. Because it doesn’t much matter, it will dry again anyway.

No, it doesn’t stink if it gets rained on. Not in the slightest. It’s nothing like the musty smell of soggy washing left in a machine to fester.

This. I often don’t pay much attention to the forecast and just stick my washing out. 🤷‍♀️ If it rains it’ll hopefully dry again , if not I’ll sort it out! I can’t say I give much thought to it to be honest.

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 08/06/2025 09:37

At least it's only washing. My DP went out yesterday in completely unsuitable clothing "because it wasn't raining when he set off". He came back soaked to the skin.

Washing only smells when it's hung around damp for too long. Sounds as though your parents' washing machine needs a clean.

ThisRoseWriter · 08/06/2025 09:34

I sometimes hang out waning if it’s raining or going to rain but it’s coming out nice after with enough time to dry and I won’t be able to hang it out at the point. I’ve done this for years and everything dries, nothing ever smells and I don’t have to rewash.

If you’re not wearing it, don’t worry about it.

EleanorReally · 08/06/2025 09:32

i put mine on the line before 8 this morning! <<smug>>

TokyoSushi · 08/06/2025 09:27

Our neighbour put their washing out in the morning and leaves it, rain, frost, whatever, very odd and a source of amusement for DH & me!

(They’re retired and fit/well so no reason to do so that I can see)

PencilsInSpace · 08/06/2025 09:26

IOnlyWantSexMoneyPowerAndRevenge · 08/06/2025 09:11

That's good. I just always imagined the rain would bring down any dust etc in the air.

I'm not in the countryside, I just live in a very quiet area away from main roads.

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Actually you've reminded me of once when it would have need rewashing - there had been some sort of dust storm in North Africa that had blown over and when it rained everything was coated in fine red dust. So you're kind of right but it doesn't seem to be a problem at a local level. I suppose if the weather had been very still and very dry for a long time there might be some noticeable build up of dust but it would be very bad luck in those circumstances to get caught with washing out when the longed-for rain finally arrived.

CaptainMyCaptain · 08/06/2025 09:25

ScottBakula · 08/06/2025 09:18

If my nighbour kindly told me to take my washing in I would not so kindly tell them bugger off

Edited
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If you did that then people would probably stop trying to help you then. Your choice. It was all done in a supportive way.

CaptainMyCaptain · 08/06/2025 09:23

ScottBakula · 08/06/2025 09:23

Ooh ok that's fine then , I thought you meant they were having a go at her laziness.

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Not at all. We were a very supportive community and still are but with mostly different people.

ScottBakula · 08/06/2025 09:23

CaptainMyCaptain · 08/06/2025 09:19

Honestly, she said it nicely in a supportive way. Neighbours also helped her tidy her garden and sort out her recycling.

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Ooh ok that's fine then , I thought you meant they were having a go at her laziness.

soupyspoon · 08/06/2025 09:20

ScottBakula · 08/06/2025 09:18

If my nighbour kindly told me to take my washing in I would not so kindly tell them bugger off

Edited
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Me too Id be furious

CaptainMyCaptain · 08/06/2025 09:19

ScottBakula · 08/06/2025 09:18

If my nighbour kindly told me to take my washing in I would not so kindly tell them bugger off

Edited
Show quote history

Honestly, she said it nicely in a supportive way. Neighbours also helped her tidy her garden and sort out her recycling.

ScottBakula · 08/06/2025 09:18

CaptainMyCaptain · 08/06/2025 09:11

I had a neighbour like that. She once left her washing out for two weeks until another neighbour kindly told her to take it in. This is unusual though rather than just leaving it out because it got rained on.

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If my nighbour kindly told me to take my washing in I would not so kindly tell them bugger off

CaptainMyCaptain · 08/06/2025 09:18

IOnlyWantSexMoneyPowerAndRevenge · 08/06/2025 09:13

Her neighbour told her to take it in? I hope it was done from a supportive view as in "can I help with your washing?".

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Yes. That's why I used the word kindly.

PuggyPuggyPuggy · 08/06/2025 09:17

Contrary to what a lot of people are saying, I actually put a load of washing on the line yesterday afternoon and then went out, knowing that it was due to rain a bit. Then I left the whole lot out there to be darked on. It was only dog towels and they are mostly dry by now 😁

Vonryanspushbike · 08/06/2025 09:16

JoshLymanSwagger · 08/06/2025 07:27

I'm a bit further south than you and we get way less rain.
Mid or south Cheshire.

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Thanks for that info !

Ukisgaslit · 08/06/2025 09:13

Coffeeteasugar · 08/06/2025 09:03

Rain on towels makes them softer - I don’t get the science behind it but it always seems to work!

Yes - I do this too
plus the towels / bed linen also smell ‘rain sweet’

IOnlyWantSexMoneyPowerAndRevenge · 08/06/2025 09:13

CaptainMyCaptain · 08/06/2025 09:11

I had a neighbour like that. She once left her washing out for two weeks until another neighbour kindly told her to take it in. This is unusual though rather than just leaving it out because it got rained on.

Show quote history

Her neighbour told her to take it in? I hope it was done from a supportive view as in "can I help with your washing?".

soupyspoon · 08/06/2025 09:11

PruthePrune · 08/06/2025 07:00

My NDN leaves her washing out literally for days come rain or shine. Was raining heavily yeterday and the washing is still out.

Weve just put out a dry sheet and dry duvet cover, it needs bleaching in sunlight. They'll be there for a few days at least, possibly more depending on how much light we get this week.

I also dont understand OPs claim that rain makes washing smelly! If it gets wet again, it just drys again once the rain stops. Nice and fresh.

IOnlyWantSexMoneyPowerAndRevenge · 08/06/2025 09:11

PencilsInSpace · 08/06/2025 09:07

I can imagine if you live in the middle of a city etc that if your clothes get rained on, they will need rewashing.

I live in east London so by the time it gets to us, the rain has blown right across the city. Our rain does not smell and I've never had to rewash.

That's good. I just always imagined the rain would bring down any dust etc in the air.

I'm not in the countryside, I just live in a very quiet area away from main roads.