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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:
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

Original poster
BlueyandBingo · 19/04/2026 19:30

Some of these comments really made me laugh.
I just assumed it was the norm but he made me doubt myself. Tbf even if it is niche I am not stopping, I have just gor the sheets in and they smell great and are perfectly smooth.😀

OP posts:
suburburban · 19/04/2026 19:29

Always outside when possible, smells better and cheaper

Tollington · 19/04/2026 19:27

I have today and yesterday

Meadowfinch · 19/04/2026 19:22

Outside unless it's truly grim in which case it's spin dried and put on an airer in the garage. Or in the airing cupboard to finish off.

Your dh is ill-informed. Not only is drying in the open air free, sunlight is antibacterial and results in more hygienic clothes. Plus drying outside avoids causing damp and mould inside.

More likely he just can't be arsed to hang things out.

SerendipityCat · 19/04/2026 19:21

Niche? Where the hell does he get that from? My first husband had form for making similarly ridiculous and baseless declarations, particularly when he'd had a drink or two. He was an idiot, and it's one of the many reasons we divorced.

YorkshireIndie · 19/04/2026 19:20

Love clothes being dried outside - you can smell the sunshine! I had the washing machine earning its keep today to make use of the weather (most things have also been ironed so feeling extra smug - just need the magic fairy to put it away…)

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 19/04/2026 19:19

I will only ever have houses with gardens because I HAVE to be able to dry my washing outdoors. I don't even have a tumble drier because I love the smell of outdoor dried washing so much.

Your DH must have a social pool of two (both men who never do laundry) if he seriously thinks nobody dries outside any more. Has he never seen how many washing lines places have?

RaininSummer · 19/04/2026 19:18

Obviously hayfever is one reason.

RaininSummer · 19/04/2026 19:18

Strange comment. Why wouldn't you if it's the right weather and you have the facilities?

CrashBackIn02 · 19/04/2026 19:18

Obviously lots, possible most people dry washing outside. We don’t though as it makes my partners and one of our children’s hayfever much worse. We dry it inside and use tumble dryer for lots.

NoWordForFluffy · 19/04/2026 19:17

Echobelly · 19/04/2026 19:14

YANBU - I have never found a dryer than can dry more than a few pieces at a time and they're very energy hungry, so I've given up on having them.

I love drying the garden, it's just a shame there's usually only a few months you can do it.

We dry ours outside all year round. Even if it doesn't dry fully outside in winter (sometimes it does if it's windy enough), it dries far more quickly inside having been out.

Badgerandfox227 · 19/04/2026 19:16

I’ve had washing out on the line today, lovely smelling towels!

dementedpixie · 19/04/2026 19:16

I dont own a tumble dryer and love it when I can hang my washing outside

Done2much · 19/04/2026 19:16

YANBU!!

where has your DH got that idea from?

I'd accept a kid referring to "no-one does/says/etc" but for an adult to come out with it is a bit odd!

YellingAway · 19/04/2026 19:16

It has been the talk for weeks about how bad the weather has been and not being able to get the washing out. Definitely not niche in these parts!

skiprun · 19/04/2026 19:16

I dry outdoor when warm enough. I live on the Scottish coast though so a lot of the time (bar high summer) it’s not warm enough to dry a load in one day.

ive got a pulley indoors and only use the tumble drier for bedding and towels

HappiestSleeping · 19/04/2026 19:16

gamerchick · 19/04/2026 19:15

In some countries it's not done. Like those where you have to iron straight away before wearing so some parasite doesn't hatch in your skin. Or other reasons. But in the UK we love our drying days. It's the best sleep in fresh outside dried bedding.

Even your bloke wouldn't say otherwise OP

It's the best sleep in fresh outside dried bedding.

This 👆

Original poster
BlueyandBingo · 19/04/2026 19:16

Glad I am not totally crazy 🤣
I have done 3 loads today and it was so easy. We haven’t had a garden for a while and it is so nice to have one again.

OP posts:
OonaStubbs · 19/04/2026 19:16

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

KarmenPQZ · 19/04/2026 19:15

I dry clothes outside all seasons. Even in winter a couple of hours on the line then dry on an airer and it’s so much better for your clothes. Not to mention the environment

gamerchick · 19/04/2026 19:15

In some countries it's not done. Like those where you have to iron straight away before wearing so some parasite doesn't hatch in your skin. Or other reasons. But in the UK we love our drying days. It's the best sleep in fresh outside dried bedding.

Even your bloke wouldn't say otherwise OP

Echobelly · 19/04/2026 19:14

YANBU - I have never found a dryer than can dry more than a few pieces at a time and they're very energy hungry, so I've given up on having them.

I love drying the garden, it's just a shame there's usually only a few months you can do it.

FieryA · 19/04/2026 19:13

He is being stupid, why wouldn't you make use of the weather to dry clothes? And in any case, how does he know that no one does it? That is so silly.

Zanatdy · 19/04/2026 19:13

Of course people dry washing outside. I don’t
own a tumble dryer.

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