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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:
BashfulClam · 19/04/2026 20:53

OonaStubbs · 19/04/2026 19:16

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

Nah I stick my scants out. I don’t care.

MayaPinion · 19/04/2026 20:52

Getting into a bed made up with freshly washed and line dried bed linen is the best feeling in the world.

Sasha07 · 19/04/2026 20:52

I'm in my 30s and the best part about a sunny day, is getting the washing dried outside! Genuinely makes me so happy, especially when I can get a full days worth done, strip the sofa/curtains/bedding, anything and everything! Drier takes some of the gorgeous scent from the clothes but line dried keeps it and everything feels better somehow.

Although... I hate the massive pile I then have to bring in and sort out at the end of the day 🤣 atleast using the drier in winter, it's just a small bundle to sort through 😁

I'm not ashamed to say, it's the best part about summer 😅😁

Kittybway · 19/04/2026 20:51

Tumble drying ruins your clothes? I use ours (which is a setting on the washing machine) in the winter to dry towels and bedding.

I dont know a single person IRL that doesn't dry outside, most dont own a dryer. Im gobsmacked at the number of people who have gardens but use a tumble dryer instead

P.s I love a crunchy towel

GentleSheep · 19/04/2026 20:51

I dry outside whenever possible. No tumble drier here so it's really good when the weather's fine enough to put washing out.

Nogimachi · 19/04/2026 20:50

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??

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

cadburyegg · 19/04/2026 20:49

Keroppi · 19/04/2026 20:05

Dryoutside.com is my saviour

Love this !!

Fundays12 · 19/04/2026 20:49

Everyone i know dries clothes outside in decent weather. The slightest warm day and my washing is out.

TheDenimPoet · 19/04/2026 20:48

I pretty much count down the days until I can start drying outside again! I hate tumble drying (though I do have one), and it takes about 2 days to dry if I just hang it up inside, and always smells a bit weird when it's dry for some reason.

It's definitely normal!

Happyjoe · 19/04/2026 20:46

TheeNotoriousPIG · 19/04/2026 20:43

If it's fine out, my washing goes out! The only thing that I do not just line-dry is the towels. I had a childhood of towels that had dried horizontally to the line and were like sandpaper, courtesy of being line-dried in a wind tunnel! The towels go for a quick spin in the dryer to fluff them up.

Lol, I love my towels when rough as they dry me off quicker! :-)

Butterme · 19/04/2026 20:46

I only know 2 or 3 people who even own a tumble dryer!

Most people I know use clothes racks.

SabrinaThwaite · 19/04/2026 20:46

grrrlatrix · 19/04/2026 20:26

I dry it outside (no tumble dryer) but it never feels properly dry so I always have to rotate it on the clothes horse - takes forever.

Use a desk fan to keep air moving around the laundry and it will dry quicker.

Happyjoe · 19/04/2026 20:45

Most of my clothes I can't put in a dryer anyway even if we had one, so love it when can get things dry outside. Waiting for the sun to hit the garden properly though, as North facing. Your hubby is talking nonsense!

TheeNotoriousPIG · 19/04/2026 20:43

If it's fine out, my washing goes out! The only thing that I do not just line-dry is the towels. I had a childhood of towels that had dried horizontally to the line and were like sandpaper, courtesy of being line-dried in a wind tunnel! The towels go for a quick spin in the dryer to fluff them up.

Teaandscone · 19/04/2026 20:38

OonaStubbs · 19/04/2026 19:16

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

My week’s supply of clean knickers have dried beautifully today outside.

CosyDenimShark · 19/04/2026 20:36

I am the only person on my 12 house street that has ever put washing on the line. The other 11 houses are odd, I don't get it (Unless they all have awful hayfever).

PilesofGuilt · 19/04/2026 20:36

I never dry the washing outside because the DC and I have hay fever. I tumble what I can and the rest is drying rack + dehumidifier.

oliveoverreacted · 19/04/2026 20:36

First hint of sunshine and a breeze and generations of my Scottish grannies start calling me their siren song from beyond the grave 'looks a rare drying day....'
Got all my bedding and towels out today, they have been appeased.

34feeling54 · 19/04/2026 20:35

HappiestSleeping · 19/04/2026 19:16

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

This 👆

Show quote history

Unless you have severe hay fever then that is a big no-no 🤣🤣

MusicalRocks · 19/04/2026 20:33

Shows how little your husband helps with the washing if he thinks its unusual

PrinceHarrysBaldPatch · 19/04/2026 20:32

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

The ironing in Africa is done BECAUSE the clothes dry outside and may have putzi fly larvae in them. If they are dried inside they won't have larvae on them, so ironing not needed (other than to look smart).
Edited for clarity.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 19/04/2026 20:31

Your dh isn’t a Yank, is he? My younger Dsis, who’s lived in the US for decades, says that hanging washing outside is seen there as a sign of either poverty or madness!

In the U.K. IMO most people appreciate that drying washing outside is both economical and planet-friendly.

Happytaytos · 19/04/2026 20:31

grrrlatrix · 19/04/2026 20:26

I dry it outside (no tumble dryer) but it never feels properly dry so I always have to rotate it on the clothes horse - takes forever.

Where do you live?

Everybodys · 19/04/2026 20:30

Using the big, free ball of fire in the sky to dry your washing when weather permits isn't niche, no. Your DH is a weirdo.

DoubleDoubleDown · 19/04/2026 20:30

Depends where you live. I think I'm the only person in my neighborhood with a washing line. I dry nearly all my washing outside. A few of my neighbours think I'm a bit odd and one asked me if it was because I couldn't afford a tumble dryer 🤣