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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:
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!

childoftkty · 19/04/2026 19:48

I don’t think that many people do dry outside much anymore. I use my line when I have things which can’t be tumbled but I am the only person I know who does this. A few people have a clothes horse they may put out from time to time but it’s very much not the norm where I am

pointythings · 19/04/2026 19:48

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.

Show quote history

My late MIL (from Philly, so definitely US) pegged out whatever she could on her tiny tiny balcony. So it isn't universal in the US either.

As for 'unkempt' - why is doing your bit for the planet more important than appearances? That seems pretty shallow to me.

Hohofortherobbers · 19/04/2026 19:47

No tumble dryer and line dry at every opportunity.
Underwear and all, I have a socktopus which makes the smalls super easy to peg out, if they're not dry enough I take the whole socktopus in with the underwear still on to finish drying inside. Will link my marvellous socktopus here...

Malbecfan · 19/04/2026 19:47

To the poster who mentioned crunchy towels, put a tablespoonful of white vinegar in the rinse section of your washing machine and don’t use fabric conditioner. Works fine for me.

TurnipsAndParsnips · 19/04/2026 19:47

OonaStubbs · 19/04/2026 19:16

It is ok but not underwear which must be dried in a tumble dryer or on a radiator.

Why on earth not? In case Mr Jones next door gets excited by your granny pants and Doreen bra?

Speakofthedevil · 19/04/2026 19:46

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.

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.

pointythings · 19/04/2026 19:45

northernballer · 19/04/2026 19:38

Why?

Show quote history

Excellent question. My undies go on the line with everything else. If that bothers people they can just... not look.

OP, your DH is a loon. If you can line dry, you absolutely should - you're doing your bit for the planet.

SabrinaThwaite · 19/04/2026 19:45

Has your DH has been worrying about spiders willies and washing getting darked on?

Malbecfan · 19/04/2026 19:43

OonaStubbs · 19/04/2026 19:16

It is ok but not underwear which must be dried in a tumble dryer or on a radiator.

WTF? Is this a joke?

I don’t have a tumble drier and the heating is now off. All my underwear dried perfectly on my outdoor washing lines today. I dry washing outside all through the year. However, sometimes I need to resort to my ceiling airer and a dehumidifier if the weather is really bad. I don’t give a toss about anyone seeing underwear on the line - we all wear it!

TonTonMacoute · 19/04/2026 19:41

I dry my washing outside whenever I possibly can.

ElenOfTheWays · 19/04/2026 19:41

Everyone around here dries on the washing line outside. A few of my neighbours even have 2 washing lines. Definitely not niche.

AnAudacityofinlaws · 19/04/2026 19:40

When we had those couple of hot sunny days the other week I even took all the loose covers off my sofas and washed those, dried outside and back on same day. I get the washing out every chance I get.

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.

elephantoverthehill · 19/04/2026 19:38

Drying washing outside uses solar and wind energy, what's not to like?

RunningNananananananananana · 19/04/2026 19:38

I don't know if we're all just massive saddos but my friends and I get very excited when we can line dry clothes 🤣

northernballer · 19/04/2026 19:38

OonaStubbs · 19/04/2026 19:16

It is ok but not underwear which must be dried in a tumble dryer or on a radiator.

Why?

Happytaytos · 19/04/2026 19:38

Everyone I know dries outside when it's nice. We don't own a tumble dryer so it's great when the weather itls like this.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 19/04/2026 19:37

ToffeeCrabApple · 19/04/2026 19:32

I did about 5 loads today mainly as it was perfect drying weather! The sun gets the whites lovely and bright and everything smells so fresh. Love it

Me too, I think I’ve washed and dried the whole house. So pleased with myself

Bebeandgang · 19/04/2026 19:36

Love putting my washing outside. Nothing better than seeing all the freshly washed whites dancing in the wind and they smell amazing too.

My husband took our line down to do work in the garden and it's taking forever so I don't have my line back yet. He told me I could have it after the work he did today - then when I asked this evening, he said in two weeks because we can't walk on the grass! He's heading for divorce territory at this rate!

DoNotSitDownNextToMe · 19/04/2026 19:35

My neighbour has a washing line and two small children; I’ve seen washing on the line once! Never opens her windows either. I consider this very odd behaviour. We live in London suburbs not next to the M4!

I love drying clothes outside. My neighbours on the other side and opposite all dry outside. Apart from the hayfever issue, why wouldn't you?

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 19/04/2026 19:35

I bloody love drying washing on the line. I am truly over the moon if it’s warm with a slight breeze as I can put washing out and then bring it in when it’s dry. I then Iron it all and put it away. I’m easily pleased 😁

user1471453601 · 19/04/2026 19:35

Nothing smells better than washing that's been dried outside.

Sadly for me, that lovely smelling washing also contains pollen, and my hayfever is bad enough without me draping myself in pollen covered clothes.

so it's a dryer inside for me, sadly.

Chilly80 · 19/04/2026 19:34

Everyone i know drys it outside

GimmieABreakOr3 · 19/04/2026 19:34

We prefer washing our laundry outside. It smells amazing - even better than drying inside or using heated clothes rack. It also dries much faster!!