Dare I say it…

[lifestooshorttodickaboutwithaubergines]

I don’t like line drying my clothes. There, I’ve said it. Everyone is going nuts about a hint of sunshine and getting the clothes out but I’ll be honest, I hate the way they smell after being hung outside. Each to their own, and all that…but, what’s your unpopular opinion?

I love the smell but I hate the faff, and I don't think they're anywhere near as soft as tumble-dried clothes. But it does keep whites whiter.

Love it, but DH has allergy to pollen so we can't hang stuff outside. I hang my stuff outside or cat beds etc. But I'd love the hang the sheets out but just can't.

Lots of things aren't essential. Like a £15 lipstick for example, but nobody judges about that. I'll forego the lipstick and put my dryer on. Others are free to get the lipstick and forego the dryer if that pleases them.

I think the point the op was making was that it was an unpopular opinion, to use the dryer freely. That people are judged for doing so. So the fact that they are power hungry and there is a CoL crisis is not really relevant - people can make personal choices and didn't ought to be judged for them either way.

I don't like drying outside either. I don't like the smell, creased crispiness and earwigs I always find. I do it begrudgingly in summer because I feel guilty but would much rather use the tumble dryer.

I see your point although there doesn’t seem to be much judgement on this thread.

I get the convenience argument but “the smell” of outdoors (?) appears to be the main deciding factor.

Some people do moan constantly about huge electricity bills and seem to have their tumble drier on for hours every day even when there’s been a three week heatwave and they have a washing line outside <looking directly at my next door neighbour here> 😂

If your only objection is stiffness/smell/ironing just bung them in the dryer for a few mins after drying. Save cash and the environment and have your tumble clothes.

Clothes will smell musty when dried outside (or dried slowly indoors) if they have bacteria on them from your washing machine and you’re doing cool 30/40 degree loads.

The intense heat of the tumble drier kills all bacteria on clothes that are coming out of the wash less than perfectly clean.

One way to avoid line dried clothes smelling is to tackle the bacterial growth lurking in your washing machine.

A very hot long cycle run on your empty machine with added cleaner does the trick.

😱😱😱😱

Ay ay ay, we're not going to be friends ;)

Something about a spray that's meant to smell fresh but is in fact a mass-produced chemical makes me feel depressed. Like if you could get a fake apple in a packet.

If my house is stinky I open a window, maybe fling a couple of drops of essential oil around.

Oh dear you’re right. Our friendship would be doomed. I have a spiced apple candle I like to burn in the evening too. It doesn’t contain apples 😮
Its probably best if you don’t come round..😂

Yes same here. I live near a lot of industrial units and restaurants and when the wind is in a certain direction the air doesn't smell great. Also, in an area that allows smoke and fires....

I haven't noticed a different smell to like drying - unless things are put out when the weather isn't up to it and they get that musty smell . However it annoys me that most clothing that has been line dried needs ironing as it dries with creases in . Sometimes I tell myself that using the tumble saves on the electric being used by ironing. Or I do my washing on a rainy day so I can properly justify the tumble drier!

Are you crazy 🤪

I've had loads of towels and bedding out today, and it's made my soul so happy.

It's the simple things.

I agree, and it sets off our allergies

I've given up line drying due to my neighbours having installed a feckin' wood burner in their new extension, which is right by our boundary wall. I don't have a big garden so moving the line is not an option.

Oh it stinks. I don't want my clothes , towels and bedding smelling of wood smoke.
I also don't like how I have to iron line dried laundry.

I'll carry on tumbling, thank you.

Well to be fair, you could pop down to the river and bash your clothes on some rocks. Save cash and the environment…

Do visitors not keel over or excuse themselves with migraines?

Not so far 😂 no one has keeled over yet.

You could pop down to the river and bash your clothes on some rocks

Very droll. Although surely you’re not suggesting that spending hours toiling by a stream is on a par with the effort required to walk out your back door and hang out some washing?
I can get a huge load pegged out in about 10 minutes, and if you do it right then by my standards-no ironing usually required.

I spent years longing for my own garden and get great pleasure in seeing my laundry dancing on the line in the sun now I have a little garden.
Eye sore indeed!

People need a Brabantia washing line that folds up against the wall. I’d love to dry clothes outside. Since this is supposed to be the sunniest county in Britain, it’s particularly annoying that it’s rained pretty much non stop since November.

Mine do. All clothes I have ever dried outside come in as stiff as boards, whatever the weather. I love the smell and appreciate the eco factor, but they don't feel soft. And line drying towels is just cruel to DC.

Whoever mentioned the smell of hamsters hit the nail on the head! It’s a weird smell, I prefer the synthetic, tumble dryer-y scent!

Every bugger I know seems to be dead chuffed about it! Neighbours, school mums, colleagues 😂

I'm a fanny in terms of my preferences and I do have sensory issues, but I can't really say I've noticed much difference.

I love the smell of line-dried laundry, but I live in a famously exceptionally rainy place. Even if I had time to hang out washing before leaving for work (I don't), on most days there's a fairly good chance it will be rained on before I get home. And I don't want to spend my weekend washing and hanging out clothes!

Yeah that must be wearing a bit thin 😬

It seems a little premature too? freezing wind and drizzle here.
I suppose most people are just desperate for signs of spring at this stage in February!