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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:
Bombayss · 19/04/2026 22:42

Blorengia · 19/04/2026 21:21

Very happy to be part of a large "niche" and hang washing out whenever possible.

Absolutely me too.
I live in a very nice area and on a gorgeous day during the winter the house gets pulled apart to be washed.
I have several retractable washing lines that are just brilliant in a sheltered south facing garden.
Love to get my sheets out and back on the bed smelling so fresh.

Hall84 · 19/04/2026 22:33

Working my way through but no tumble dryer here, so happy they had props in the middle aisle at aldi this weekend!

Flushitdown · 19/04/2026 22:31

I really don't like the smell of outside dried stuff, but still do it! It's faster and better for the environment. Plus loads of clothes are ruined in the tumble dryer.

Cyclebabble · 19/04/2026 22:27

So many reasons to dry outside. It is generally better for the material. It smells nicer. It is better for the environment. It is cheaper. The ironing is easier. When it is cold I have to dry inside, but whenever possible, out my clothes go.

doghasnodentures · 19/04/2026 22:25

PurpleFlower1983 · 19/04/2026 19:12

I don’t know anyone with a garden who doesn’t dry their washing outside.

This ,it’s just normal 🤷‍♀️

Purplebunnie · 19/04/2026 22:24

Been drying laundry outside weather permitting for weeks now. Two loads yesterday, one today and one planned for tomorrow

BeFunnyBiscuit · 19/04/2026 22:23

we put it out all seasons, even when is 5C with some breeze

ImImmortalNowBabyDoll · 19/04/2026 22:23

Tumble drying, in this economy! No way. Even if the spiders are doing dreadful things.

CJsGoldfish · 19/04/2026 22:18

I have a tumble dryer but prefer to dry outside. So much better for your clothes, the environment and the wallet!
The sun also kills bacteria, smells and those really hard to remove stains.
Climbing into a freshly made(with sun dried linen) bed is one of the joys of life ❤️

ButterYellowHair · 19/04/2026 22:17

Inthebleakmidwinter1 · 19/04/2026 22:13

hanging out washing is one of the few chores I enjoy. I feel so connected to women across the ages here I venture outside with my washing basket on my hip

This too. Sun on your face, birds tweeting, wondering how many women stood here pegging out clothes… all I need is a pinny!

Spidey66 · 19/04/2026 22:16

pointythings · 19/04/2026 21:47

Sorry, but if men want to steal my enormous boring black cotton undies, they're welcome. Especially since they'd have to scale multple fences and brave several dogs to get them. That kind of dedication deserves a reward.

Indecent? Oh do let go of those pearls!

Show quote history

What she said. My house is terraced, so the only access is via next door neighbours, and there are very high walls. If they want to get offended by my underwear when they look out their upstairs window, (only place they can see it) that’s their problem. I’m past caring.

ButterYellowHair · 19/04/2026 22:16

I’ve dried 3 loads this weekend. As soon as it’s bright enough to dry out they go. Why would he prefer them to be dried inside which takes ages and doesn’t smell as nice? Or does he prefer spending a fortune for what the sun does for free and potentially ruining his clothes with a dryer?

coronafiona · 19/04/2026 22:15

Better for the environment, budget and the clothes- uv in sunshine kills bugs too!

purpleme12 · 19/04/2026 22:14

😆 of course people still dry it outside!

Inthebleakmidwinter1 · 19/04/2026 22:13

hanging out washing is one of the few chores I enjoy. I feel so connected to women across the ages here I venture outside with my washing basket on my hip

Hillarious · 19/04/2026 22:06

Nothing better than a crispy line-dried towel!

Spidey66 · 19/04/2026 22:05

CornishPorsche · 19/04/2026 19:11

I don't own a table dryer.

I suspect most people will use his weather as an opportunity to dry washing if they can!

I didn’t think you could get a dryer that a table could fit into!

sorry forgot to add, it’s totally normal and one of the reasons I love having a garden. The washing smells lovely after. In some parts of the US it’s against legislation and frowned upon though. My bil and his wife live in Seattle and they put all their washing in the tumble dryer, which horrified me when I visited. I’ve got a tumble dryer but can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I have used it in the past year. In winter I use a heated clothes horse.

OllysArmyRidesAgain · 19/04/2026 22:04

Inthenameoflove · 19/04/2026 21:54

Mumsnet is a great lover of the washing line. Most people I know are two full time working parents with kids and lots of laundry, who are very reliant on tumble drier.

We’ve always been a house with 2 busy working parents but that has never prevented us from hanging washing outside

OllysArmyRidesAgain · 19/04/2026 22:02

My MIL never hung washing outside in the 30 years I knew her. Tumble dryer for everything. I always assumed it was because she grew up poor and the tumble dryer was a way of showing how far she had come. SIL (her daughter) also doesn’t have a washing line. Don’t worry I converted DH from day 1, and have been so successful that he tries to dry washing when it is too damp outside.

We do have a tumble dryer for towels and bedding when necessary. Everything else goes on the outside line or indoor airers

Tigerbalmshark · 19/04/2026 21:57

Inthenameoflove · 19/04/2026 21:54

Mumsnet is a great lover of the washing line. Most people I know are two full time working parents with kids and lots of laundry, who are very reliant on tumble drier.

We are too! But we do most of our washing at the weekend (sheets, towels etc). Just a quick wash midweek so we don’t run out of school uniform/underwear etc.

kohlrabislaw · 19/04/2026 21:55

I’m in London. 2 loads of washing out and dried on the line today. Late 40s both full time working parents. But it’s a sunny weekend so washing takes priority.

Inthenameoflove · 19/04/2026 21:54

Mumsnet is a great lover of the washing line. Most people I know are two full time working parents with kids and lots of laundry, who are very reliant on tumble drier.

Growlybear83 · 19/04/2026 21:49

I’ve always dried my washing outside and I haven’t owned a tumble drier for over 20 years. Ive got a heated clothes rail for when it’s too wet to dry outside, and haven’t needed anything else for as long as I can remember.

pointythings · 19/04/2026 21:47

OonaStubbs · 19/04/2026 21:10

IMO it is indecent to have your most intimate undergarments hanging outside for all and sundry to see and pass judgement on. Plus men might try to steal them. I dry mine safely inside, away from prying eyes.

Sorry, but if men want to steal my enormous boring black cotton undies, they're welcome. Especially since they'd have to scale multple fences and brave several dogs to get them. That kind of dedication deserves a reward.

Indecent? Oh do let go of those pearls!

SmallBlondeMum · 19/04/2026 21:47

LastHotel · 19/04/2026 20:13

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

Seriously?

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