How many days on average, do you leave wet washing in the machine?

[HisWife]

I leave it between 24-48 hours, If longer than that I usually run it again.

Don't worry notrightnow, sometimes the housework police get a little overzealous ;)

As a SAHM I have enough time to wash a load and take it out straight away. However, for some unknown reason, I hate doing the washing - drying - putting away. It is my most hated job. I would rather clean a loo that has been in Trainspotting or the cats litter tray, than do the washing. I think it is the never ending washing - drying - putting away, the fact you can spend an hour and still there is yet more. So in answer to your question it is not unusual in my house for the washing to stay in the machine for days and days and then have to be rewashed to get rid of the smell. I know this is terrible!

if you left it in for 48 hours surely you would have needed to use the machine again before that anyway?? so don't see how that situation could normally even arise or do you have hardly any washing to do?
it is quite gross to leave it for ages but if i forget sometimes it would be in there overnight, i rather take it out straight away though

I work full-time too, notrightnow. I very rarely use the timer on my machine. The only reason I did it this morning was because there has been a build-up of stuff due to spending all weekend gardening. Usually I'll do 1 or 2 washes of an evening rather than leave it in the machine all day. This is because I hate to think of it festering there for 10 hours or so. And also because I wash the childrens' school uniforms most nights, so I have to wait til we've got home and they've changed before I can wash them.

Admittedly things would be easier if I put the machine on in the morning, but I can't bring myself to do it!

Also, you cows ladies have just made me order a rotary washing line to collect from Argos on the way home

I put in at at night on timer (saves me tons of money) and get it out in the morning. Straight in the tumble (sadly no timer for that).

I've got a north facing tiny yard so it hasn't been outside much this year yet.

notrightnow- I work FT, no timer here. I only put the washer on when I will be home to hang up the clothing- ie evenings. I usually load it while the children eat their supper, then put it on while they do bath/Pjs and bed. It's ready to hang up once they've dropped off.

I put it on the timer so it runs while Econ 7 is on and it probably finishes about 5am. I turn the spin off though as it wakes me up otherwise. Have discovered though that the washing smells more if it is left (usually because I forget it) if 1) it has been on a 1400rpm spin rather than a 900 so is drier, and 2) if the door has been opened at all. So if I have to rinse washing again because there are still bubbles and have to go out so it can't be hung straight away, I put it on a slower spin and don't open the door later until I am actually ready to hang it - if I get the washing out of the machine and leave it in the basket, then get distracted (always possible) it starts to smell if it has been on a faster spin.

We usually get it out into a basket striaght away and hung within an hour or so. We only wash at the weekends, so sometimes it has to wait until there's enough space on an airer.

My Mum takes everything out the second it's finished and then folds everything neatly into a basket before hanging out. Doubles the workload. She says it's to stop creases, but then irons everything anyway. Mental.

I have forgotten a fair few times - machine is not actually in the house so it can be a bit out of sight out of mind. If I forget then I rewash it. My aim id to hang it p asap though.

I think the biggest for me was the fact that the OP doesn't need to do another load within that 48hrs! I do at least 2-3 loads a day.

Never. It gets taken out immediately the programme is finished - or the minute I walk in the door.

phew - me too, Jemima - someone described washing every other day as a lot - one load a day is the bare minimum round here

If you do 2-3 loads a day, do you have a big family, or not very many clothes, or do you just wash stuff after one wear? I couldn't imagine doing so much washing.

My washing machine must be very slow, or I must get home later/go to bed very early than some of you! I can't see how it's possible to do 2 or 3 loads of washing of an evening if you get home at 6 or 6.30?

I generally take it out straight away - my washing machine beeps when its finished (a lot - 10 sets of beeps so it really nags you!) and the tumble dryer is situated right on top of the washing machine so it goes straight in there.

true notrightnow- I only do 1 a day max usually 1 every other day (family of 4).

There are 5 of us: 2 adults and 3 DC.

All 3 DC have clean school uniform every day. This is non-negotiable, they come home from school covered in mud/paint/lunch so there is no way that I could not wash them. Then add in any combination of swimming/football/PE/riding/hockey kit several times a week. I work with children and so get covered in paint/playdough/soil etc etc on a regular basis. DH's job means that he is on and off building sites. So our clothes get dirty quickly. Then add in 5 people's bedding, towels etc.

I usually wash 1 or 2 loads every night, plus another load before going to work.

Today is my day off work, and I have 5 loads on my washing line.

I love these threads cos i'm a nosey cow - others people little foibles are fascinating!! There are some right weirdos

I do about 7 loads a week (2 lights, 2 darks, whites, towels, bedding) and it all comes out straight away or whenever I get home (never in for more than a few housr)

[boak] at washing overnight

I don't leave anything in the mashine very long. usually I wash in the evenings (after work) and hang up right away. I can't do more than 2 loads a day anyway, no space to dry more than that.

I get in at 7pm. I do at least one load of laundry every night. I never wear clothes more than once. Neither do the children. My bf wears jeans for a few days, but obviously has clean pants, socks, t-shirt and jumper/hoodie every day.

I can have 2 lots of laundry washed and hung up/put in the dryer by 9.30 if I really nag everyone to get their dirty clothes off get a wriggle on.

Toby, I find myself shouting at my DC every night "Right you've all had supper now get those uniforms off and into your PJs so that I can put a wash on and get to bed before midnight"

i will do all your washing if you come and change the bedding and put all the duvets on most hated chore

ah - lightbulb moment -! this could be why we don't have more washing...

DH changes the bedding in our house. Hindered Helped by DS1.