Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take neighbours washing down

170 replies

FrussoHathor · 27/07/2013 15:02

Just took my washing in as clouds looked threatening. Got mine in and the heavens opened.

Neighbours have washing out. And gone out for day.

I have access to their garden (fire escape route) so I took their washing down, into one of my tubs, and pinned a large bag over the top and left by their door.

Is this acceptable? It is tipping it down out there now.

Would you be annoyed if it was your washing? We're not really on speaking terms. Confused

OP posts:
fiverabbits · 27/07/2013 23:58

When I was staying at a caravan site another caravan owner who I didn't know had hung out 4 big bath towels on an airer. Then they went out for the morning, when it started to rain I took the towels into my awning and hung them up to dry. When it stopped raining I put them back on the airer. When the owner came back she was trying to work out why the towels were dry but there was puddles everywhere. I gave the game away by laughing. She was really grateful as they were the only towels she had.

minkembernard · 28/07/2013 00:00

I have done it for my neighbours when it was a white wash and i was lighting a bbq. they did not seem to mind and have done the same in return.

and a lot of it was underwear. but it was clean underwear so no big deal. i would rather get my bras put in a bag than stinking of burgers.

think you are over thinking it Op it is fine Smile

jchocchip · 28/07/2013 00:00

If it was just drizzly rain I'd probably prefer my washing to be left and dry later in the day. However a downpour like today, if my washing was nearly dry and had been kept from a soaking Id be really grateful :) You did what you thought was right at the time and that's the best any of us can do, really.

Bogeyface · 28/07/2013 00:04

Not read the thread but when I was a kid and there was downpour Ma would leg it out to get our washing in and yell me and DSis to go and get our NDN washing in. It was what you did, she did it for us too.

This was in the late 70's/early 80's btw.

I would do it now for my neighbour but NDN A doesnt hang hers out, and NDN B is a total fecking bitch and her washing can fall to bits for all I care!

fiverabbits · 28/07/2013 00:07

I would love to take in my neighbours washing but in the 9 years they have lived next door they haven't hung out as much as a tea towel even though they have a large garden. They had the tumble dryer going last week when it was 29 degrees, it is in their conservatory which has the only door to the garden which was shut along with all their windows.

trixymalixy · 28/07/2013 00:10

I would be very grateful as would most normal people.

fiverabbits · 28/07/2013 00:15

When DH ad I went out today we left out a line of washing but when it rained neither DD or DS aged 34 and 32 years old noticed it was raining so I brought it in when I got home it is still hanging in the kitchen nine hours later, hopefully it will be dry by the morning. I only did the washing because it was sunny !

Alisvolatpropiis · 28/07/2013 00:18

Yanbu.
You sound like a lovely neighbour.

ChippingInHopHopHop · 28/07/2013 00:52

Honestly?

I think you did it with the best of intentions, but if you had just chucked it in the basket I would have preferred you just to have left it. I don't mind if it gets rained on, but I do mind ironing things I wouldn't normally and your idea of 'would be ironed anyway' and mine are probably vastly different Grin I admit I am weird I iron tea towels, duvet covers, pillow cases and sod all else - clothes don't get a look in!

Breezy1985 · 28/07/2013 01:10

I think you sound lovely, my ndn got my washing in earlier as it started chucking it down while I was bathing DS. I don't hang underwear on the line though and I never iron either, I don't even own one.

But then I don't mind others.in my garden, I often come home to find half the neighbours kids in my garden.

curlew · 28/07/2013 01:13

I think you have to remember that you will come across outliers on here- the overwhelming majority of people would be heart warmed and grateful- anyone who isn't- it's, frankly, their problem.

JeanPaget · 28/07/2013 01:13

I'd think it was lovely of you!

Even if I'd personally have chosen to just leave it out to dry after the rain/ had very specific views on ironing, I'd still think it was a very kind, well intentioned gesture.

everlong · 28/07/2013 03:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jan49 · 28/07/2013 04:37

I think I'd only do it if I were on friendly terms with the neighbours, not if I didn't really know them. But I've never lived anywhere where I could access someone else's garden or they could access mine.

If someone took mine in, I think I'd be relieved at not having soaking wet washing but maybe uncomfortable, depending on what items it was. I mean, fine it was towels or sheets, a bit uncomfortable if it was more personal stuff. I'm picturing my nosiest neighbour checking what size I wear.Blush

everlong · 28/07/2013 04:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Justforlaughs · 28/07/2013 05:03

I've done it many times in the past, but haven't thought about it for years tbh. Maybe, now that you've broken the ice you will start speaking to your neighbours more or possibly they will run when they see you Wink and for what it's worth NEVER assume what other people iron! I just don't! Ever! Anything! If DH wants his work shirts ironed - there's the iron! Grin

Original poster
FrussoHathor · 28/07/2013 06:53

and for what it's worth NEVER assume what other people iron!
justforlaughs based on what what on the line, the only items that would have creased, would definately be ironed. Knowing what job they do, they would be ironed. Even if nothing else ever was.

This aside, it was raining. I'm not going to stand outside getting drenched while folding NDNs clothes neatly, if I'd have done that it would all be soaked, and therefore a pointless action.

Also, now that I'm into over thinking territory what if I'd folded it wrong? I mean do you fold t-shirts lengthways, or width ways or do the shop fold?

What about socks,do you fold the when you bring them in or when you put them away?

OP posts:
OrangeLily · 28/07/2013 11:40

Everlong... You don't say if your decorator is a man or a woman but surely they would be aware that women wear bras and sometimes pants or thongs? Why are you commenting on that?

Original poster
FrussoHathor · 28/07/2013 14:22

Can safely say there were no thongs on the line. Grin

OP posts:
HugAMoo · 28/07/2013 17:22

My neighbour does this for us sometimes, I find it kind. However, he refrains when we have our smalls out there, which I am grateful for as that would be a bit weird Grin

WhiteandGreen · 28/07/2013 17:35

I would think you had definitely overstepped the boundaries of good neighbourliness. Are you honestly saying there were pants on the
line but it was OK cos you didn't touch them?!

everlong · 28/07/2013 17:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ll31 · 28/07/2013 17:40

surprised anyone thinks it's unreasonable to bring in neighbours washing. Amazed at the shock horror that neighbour might touch their underwear taking it off the line.They're clothes ffs

ChippingInHopHopHop · 28/07/2013 17:46

I don't get why some people can't understand that others would find it an invasion of their privacy and would rather the washing got wet.

Get over the fact that others have a different opinion.

... and Curlew, you are wrong. It would not be 'their problem' - people are quite entitled not to want neighbours in their garden messing with their washing - even if it's supposedly a 'kind' thing to do. People put up fences for a reason and it's not just to keep the dog in.

Beastofburden · 28/07/2013 18:00

Hmmm. I think that even if my preference was for privacy, I would see it as a kind and neighbourly thought, and I would be pleased to be living next door to someone who cares about being neighbourly and is considerate of others, thoughtful and prepared to help where needed.

Even if I really didn't like people in my garden, I would still think that. Because the number of times you would need to get their washing in is tiny, but having a good neighbour is priceless. Look at all the other threads on music etc.

So, op, I think you did a good, kind and considerate thing and they will see that. Have them round for a drink if you are worried.

As for knickers, meh, once I went back to work I had someone who cared for my younger kids and did the washing at home, and I have long got over the thought that she knows all about my underwear. Privacy is about more personal stuff than just who sees your knickers, IMHO.