Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do you hang your undies on the washing line?

212 replies

sweetpickle2 · 12/08/2026 11:17

Just that really.

I had a friend round for a cup of tea and as I was hanging up my washing she was horrified I was putting up my undies (just basic M&S black knickers, nothing out of the ordinary!) and said she always hangs her delicates inside as she "doesn't think her neighbours want to see that".

Am I the weird one??

OP posts:
Wingingit73 · 12/08/2026 12:47

We all wear underwear. She's strange.

namechange6766333545544 · 12/08/2026 12:46

I don’t hang mine out. Our washing line is very visible to a busy footpath and i don’t want people to see my underwear. That’s just my boundary and it’s what I’m comfortable with.

DorsetMermaid · 12/08/2026 12:45

We hang everything out on the line.
Years ago my DH had some Christmas boxer shorts stolen from the line. It's the only bad underwear drying thing that's ever happened to us in 40 years of marriage and it didn't put us off.

DeanGaffneysCumFace · 12/08/2026 12:44

As an A list celebrity, I cannot hang my grundies out on the line as all of my adoring fans would steal them, leaving me with none to tuck my cocktail sausage into.

PenandPip · 12/08/2026 12:44

I hang mine out and the rest of the families. Next door neighbour has never hung her knickers out. I've seen the husbands boxers though.

PollyBell · 12/08/2026 12:40

2ndHandLou · 12/08/2026 12:33

Out of interest why do so many posters on here have friends who have extreme reactions to things?

So many threads where friends are shocked, horrified, amazed etc

I can't remember a time when I or anybody my friends over-reacted to normal everyday things. It's very strange to me

Thought it was just me that thought this, its weird

I have no issue flashing my knickers at anyone

Isitevensummer · 12/08/2026 12:37

MsIceSandwich · 12/08/2026 11:34

The devil laughs at salt, displaying your undergarments like a flag of sin is far more enticing to him.

So the devil comes in on your underwear? That Kind of makes sense.....

2ndHandLou · 12/08/2026 12:33

Out of interest why do so many posters on here have friends who have extreme reactions to things?

So many threads where friends are shocked, horrified, amazed etc

I can't remember a time when I or anybody my friends over-reacted to normal everyday things. It's very strange to me

UniquePinkSwan · 12/08/2026 12:31

No but I never hang out washing.

FourEyesGood · 12/08/2026 12:31

We have a shared access back yard, and yes, underwear gets hung on the line like everything else. If the neighbours or delivery people find out we wear clean pants, I’m sure they’ll learn to accept this.

Bridgertonisbest · 12/08/2026 12:29

We have a small garden with a rotary washing line. Everything gets hung out including washable period pants but smalls go on the inside of the line, both so the neighbours can’t get a Birds Eye view and to get larger pieces on the outside so they will dry better.

Sasha07 · 12/08/2026 12:28

Genuinely couldn't care less about people seeing my underwear on the line. Although I do hang any that have seen better days down the less noticeable end... My scruffies are the most comfortable!

Despite both neighbours either side of me having close back yards to me, I couldn't tell you if they hang theirs out, boxers I've definitely seen as they hang across like flags on the line but I simply just don't notice or care. I'm not going to go out of my way to give myself more work when I can have it done in the clip of a peg with all the rest.

RowsOfFlowers · 12/08/2026 12:27

Yeah I hang them out but I do tend to put them on the line at the back so they’re concealed by other garments!

carbuncleonapigsposterior · 12/08/2026 12:27

I mean don't look! if anyone finds underwear hanging on the line disturbing, are my thoughts. However, whilst I do hang them out, I tend to put them in the inner part of the whirlygig so they're obscured, in deference to neigbours who could potentially become disturbed, in a, what's seen can't be unseen sort of a way. I feel I wouldn't want any possible repercussions as to altering their state of mind in a negative way in their viewing my bra and pants and husband's boxers on my conscience.

CountessBinface · 12/08/2026 12:26

FallenNight · 12/08/2026 11:28

Can you tell me more about managing the devil please? I though salt on the threshold was all that was needed to keep him at bay.

Nowadays he gets in through t'internet.

MNLurker1345 · 12/08/2026 12:24

sweetpickle2 · 12/08/2026 12:05

Can the people who don't hang theirs outside explain why??

I wear my underwear on the inside and so hang inside.

Seriously, I do it because of modesty. Nothing to do with who is or isn’t going to see it. My garden isn’t overlooked, so for my own sense of modesty.

RaraRachael · 12/08/2026 12:21

No I don't because we have communal washing lines.

DuckWrap · 12/08/2026 12:20

Why does anyone think neighbours will even care? It’s bonkers.

MNLurker1345 · 12/08/2026 12:14

Washing out on the line, underwear on the rack in the utility room.

DuckWrap · 12/08/2026 12:13

Ifailed · 12/08/2026 11:35

Does she have to stand still until they are dry?

😂😂

Laurmolonlabe · 12/08/2026 12:12

I'd put my 1860's corset out- the neighbours would definitely like to see that1

Thisismyfinesthour · 12/08/2026 12:11

I give those gussets a good airing too!😄I have elderly neighbours so it probably gives them something to talk about, who cares what they think? My scanty lacy pieces are washed and dried on the line along with my other washing, it's not as if it is causing anyone any harm.

Tiddlywinks63 · 12/08/2026 12:11

I’m too old to give a toss at what the neighbours think about my underwear thankfully!

TheFairyCaravan · 12/08/2026 12:10

Mine go on the line. I don’t give a shit who sees them, tbh.

Epoisses · 12/08/2026 12:09

My black stretchy boxers are currently swaying in the breeze

Swipe left for the next trending thread