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Original poster

AIBU to think drying washing outside is still normal?

335 replies

BlueyandBingo · 19/04/2026 19:08

Just getting a load of washing in and DH has declared that no one dries their washing outside anymore and that it is ‘niche’.

Don’t get me wrong, I use the tumble dryer when I need to but surely it is better (and cheaper) to use the line, especially on a day like to day when we have had sunshine and a breeze??

OP posts:
LastHotel · 19/04/2026 20:13

Your DH is weird. I don’t know anyone who even has a tumble dryer.

ReignOfError · 19/04/2026 20:13

My entire street (only 12 houses, but still) had laundry hanging out today. Definitely not niche.

Lots of people, not just the poor, dry thrir laundry outside in the US. While some states still let HOAs ban their members from hanging laundry out, 20 or so states have now made that illegal under (and I kid you not) ‘right to dry laws’, and the number looks set to increase.

vanillachoc · 19/04/2026 20:10

I would love to dry my washing outside but I’d probably forget about it and it’d start raining. The weather has been very turbulent here (north) so I’d rather not chance it.

BelleEpoque27 · 19/04/2026 20:10

AuntChippy · 19/04/2026 19:40

Hmm. We tumble dry all year round. There was a washing line all the way down our garden when we moved here, but we removed it and the posts. Not sure that anyone I know pegs out washing.

Are you in the UK? Literally everyone pegs washing out, if they have a garden.

I know in the US it's seen as a poverty indicator, but that's just good old capitalism for you.

Keroppi · 19/04/2026 20:05

Dryoutside.com is my saviour

Yuja · 19/04/2026 20:05

my tumble dryer is for sheets and towels on winter/prolonged rain only. I love being able to try washing outside as much as possible !

Ginmonkeyagain · 19/04/2026 20:05

Ooh I have just got a load of dry washing in, very satisfying. We dry all our washing outside wherever we can.

Anyone who thinks it looks untidy can get fucked (or offer the pay my electricity bill).

RaininSummer · 19/04/2026 20:04

Given the cost of living at present, I wonder if more people who actually can dry outside, will do so. I think I am both too tight to have a tumble dryer and also like to do little things to be less of an environmental consumer where possible.

Bushmillsbabe · 19/04/2026 20:03

We always hang washing out, even on a sunny winters day it dries. We don't have a tumble dryer and drying washing inside creates damp.

AuntChippy · 19/04/2026 20:02

SabrinaThwaite · 19/04/2026 20:01

Having lived in Houston, no point trying to dry outside as it would come in damper than when it went out. Our HOA only covered front gardens though - so everyone’s front garden was immaculate but back gardens could be … interesting.

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Ours covers the entire curtilage. It’s quite daft really.

SabrinaThwaite · 19/04/2026 20:01

AuntChippy · 19/04/2026 19:56

We have a holiday house in SW Florida with a very militant HOA. You’re not allowed to dry washing outside. Not that anyone would even consider it, tbh. Think it must be bemusing to Brits who rent there and are fans of drying laundry outside.

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Having lived in Houston, no point trying to dry outside as it would come in damper than when it went out. Our HOA only covered front gardens though - so everyone’s front garden was immaculate but back gardens could be … interesting.

JohnofWessex · 19/04/2026 19:58

In the Land of the Free (USA( you often cant dry your washing outside, grow vegetables or collect rainwater.

Bjorkdidit · 19/04/2026 19:58

AuntChippy · 19/04/2026 19:56

We have a holiday house in SW Florida with a very militant HOA. You’re not allowed to dry washing outside. Not that anyone would even consider it, tbh. Think it must be bemusing to Brits who rent there and are fans of drying laundry outside.

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I wouldn't find it bemusing. I'd find it one of those rules that should be ignored and needs challenging.

There is no rational reason to ban people from hanging out their washing and for environmental and CoL reasons, it should be encouraged.

LashesZ · 19/04/2026 19:56

There’s nothing better than that fresh off the washing line smell

AuntChippy · 19/04/2026 19:56

Speakofthedevil · 19/04/2026 19:46

Yep, same. I tumble-dry pretty much everything, all year round. Can't be bothered going out, pegging every goddamn sock and flannel, and then bringing it all back again. What a faff, I have better things to do.

My closest neighbours also do the same, from what I can see. No lines in their gardens, and never any laundry. I'd love it to be like in the US, where people don't hang their shit outside; it looks so unkempt.

But I don't think it's niche either, judging by this thread.

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We have a holiday house in SW Florida with a very militant HOA. You’re not allowed to dry washing outside. Not that anyone would even consider it, tbh. Think it must be bemusing to Brits who rent there and are fans of drying laundry outside.

Lomonald · 19/04/2026 19:56

AuldWeegie · 19/04/2026 19:52

I get hayfever so have a compromise. Laundry always goes on the pulleys in the utility room, with the back door open as often as possible if I’m in.

Small items go on the winterdykes and sit in the open doorway in the sun.

I had a pulley in my house when we moved in this house but it hadn't been used in years, it was greasy from cooking and nicotine we had to.get rid, which was a shame ,

Bjorkdidit · 19/04/2026 19:54

MostlyGhostly · 19/04/2026 19:12

Putting washing out on the line is the only chore I slightly enjoy and our washing is out as soon as the weather is warm and dry enough for it to be worthwhile. With 4 adults and one nearly adult in the house it saves us a fortune and stops us having damp washing constantly on radiators and the having the dryer and drying pod on constantly. Your DH is BU.

Same here. It's pottering in the garden, listening to the birds and watching the cats play in the sun that makes it bearable for me.

We hang out where possible and try to line up doing the washing with the best drying days. Plenty of people hang washing out, why wouldn't they?

somanychristmaslights · 19/04/2026 19:53

I’ve had 3 loads of washing on the line today!

Nothungrycat · 19/04/2026 19:52

I'm so keen on outdoor drying that I sought out a smaller than usual rotary drier as I only had a tight corner to put it in. Never so happy than when it's being used. I particularly love getting into bed when there are fresh sheets and they've been dried outside.

notacooldad · 19/04/2026 19:52

I put a line of washing out this morning and dh has put two loads on the line while I was at work. He's just brought the bedding in and is finished quilt cover in the tumble.
Nothing niche about line drying where I live.

AuldWeegie · 19/04/2026 19:52

I get hayfever so have a compromise. Laundry always goes on the pulleys in the utility room, with the back door open as often as possible if I’m in.

Small items go on the winterdykes and sit in the open doorway in the sun.

Lomonald · 19/04/2026 19:51

TurnipsAndParsnips · 19/04/2026 19:49

It was about 25 degrees today and I washed and dried a load of towels outside. But they’re quite exfoliating in texture, although they smell great!

Bit of white vinegar in your towel wash and it helps with the crispiness if you are planning on hanging them out.

Lomonald · 19/04/2026 19:49

BlueyandBingo · 19/04/2026 19:08

Just getting a load of washing in and DH has declared that no one dries their washing outside anymore and that it is ‘niche’.

Don’t get me wrong, I use the tumble dryer when I need to but surely it is better (and cheaper) to use the line, especially on a day like to day when we have had sunshine and a breeze??

Clearly he has never sorted a washing in his life 😂 of course it isn't niche it is totally normal.

Pepperedpickles · 19/04/2026 19:49

We have a large ish garden but I tumble everything- well apart from the odd thing that can’t be tumbled, I just shake and hang these on hangers over a doorway etc. But I can’t be arsed with putting things out on the line and then bringing them all in again. I just move it from the washer to the dryer and then fold it and put it away, job done.