Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
AcquadiP · 19/04/2026 21:23

I use a laundry dehumidifier during the winter and line-dry the rest of the year. Line-dried clothes always smell lovely, especially bedding.

Blorengia · 19/04/2026 21:21

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

Original poster
BlueyandBingo · 19/04/2026 21:21

We live in a ‘naice’ area on London and to be fair to him, when I look out the window only our very elderly neighbours hang their washing outside, certainly our other next door neighbours never hang anything out and I have often wondered why they don’t use their south facing garden to dry washing.

OP posts:
Morethanthis71 · 19/04/2026 21:21

also meant to say, we are a family of 5 (2 grown up sons, 1 teenager) and we don't have a tumble dryer ... and haven't had one for over 20 years. I LOVE being able to dry washing outside.

Beatriz85 · 19/04/2026 21:20

Maybe your H is a snob? Is it too working class to him?
Like you, I prefer to dry outside whenever possible - better for environment and much better for the fabrics

Morethanthis71 · 19/04/2026 21:19

It's only niche because it's been raining so much!

Original poster
BlueyandBingo · 19/04/2026 21:17

Nogimachi · 19/04/2026 20:50

It’s far more environmentally friendly to dry it outside. Is DH from the US or has only ever lived in a flat?

Show quote history

Both DH’s parents grew up in flats in central London so maybe it is that. I do remember his great aunt telling me how pleased she was when she moved out a bit and could actually dry washing outside…

OP posts:
BastardtheCat · 19/04/2026 21:16

Drying outside is the dogs bollocks!!! Love it. Your DH is wrong. Leave him.

StrawberrySquash · 19/04/2026 21:16

HappiestSleeping · 19/04/2026 19:16

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

This 👆

Show quote history

Exactly! Very much looking forward to getting into my favourite bedding which was washed only yesterday and changed about an hour ago. Best night!

Noodledog · 19/04/2026 21:15

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.

😂 nice one Oona

TinyMouseTheatre · 19/04/2026 21:13

I’ve dried 3 loads outside today as well OP. Enjoy your clean sheets Wink

Lifeomars · 19/04/2026 21:13

I get terrible hay fever so can't dry my washing outside, wish I could.

Everybodys · 19/04/2026 21:12

I put my smalls up the flagpole.

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.

RogueFemale · 19/04/2026 21:10

@BlueyandBingo Your husband's opinion is stupid and I bet he has never done any laundry ever in his life.

wiaod · 19/04/2026 21:10

I put my washing outside all year round if it’s not raining.

Gwenhwyfar · 19/04/2026 21:07

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

Considered common in the US apparently and sometimes banned by homeowners' associations.

Jamesblonde2 · 19/04/2026 21:05

What on earth is your DH on about? If you live in a flat then I imagine you can’t, but anyone else surely hangs washing out when the weather is guaranteed fine?!

Coldiron · 19/04/2026 21:03

I’m sorry OP but you clearly haven’t got a clue. At least your DH seems to know what he is doing and the only safe thing going forward is for him to do all the laundry

Elphamouche · 19/04/2026 21:03

We never dry outside, completely against the grain here clearly

Missingducks · 19/04/2026 21:02

Not niche but v trendy - using solar and wind power

BashfulClam · 19/04/2026 21:02

I had some white tops with tomato stains. Got them outside and the stains have come out. Love bleaching whites in the sun.

LurcherMumma · 19/04/2026 20:58

Well not that I'm a nosey neighbour but every garden I can see from here has a washing line so certainly not "niche"

take10yearsofmylife · 19/04/2026 20:58

I love it when I can sun dried three loads of washing in one day 😌

I hang the duvets and pillows out as well when sun is strong.

I only use tumble dryer for the towels to achieve softness.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 19/04/2026 20:56

I love hanging my washing out! Can’t beat that fresh outdoors smell, especially freshly washed sheets. Even if you can only get things out for an hour or so before bringing them in, it speeds up the drying process. I hate having clothes drying indoors (I do have a tumble dryer, but plenty of clothes don’t go in that).

Swipe left for the next trending thread