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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU: clothes horse

211 replies

FakeTwinkle · 27/07/2016 12:30

So me and DP are currently rennovating our new house, and last night randomly had a conversation about the stuff that we currently have that we will not need and can donate to good will..
We currently live in a small one bed flat with no garden so have a clothes horse and a tumble dryer, (Dryer for the big bits like Jeans and bedding etc every thing else on the clothes horse)
In the new house there will be a garden with a clothes line and some where for the tumble dryer to go. So have said that the clothes horse can be donated as we wont need it. because if it cant go out on the line due to horrid weather we can use the dryer.
DP then said no we need all three?? this is a clothes horse that is tall and wide enough to hold 4 loads of washing, AIBU to say that we could get rid of it?? Hmm

OP posts:
BasinHaircut · 28/07/2016 14:01

Thanks ILostIt I've never won a thread before, I'm thrilled!

Yeah my clothes horse is a bit of a bastard. It is bent and leans over, plus 2 of the foldy out bits that you can hang hangers on have snapped off.

I need a new one TBH but I'd still keep this one for a back up. I loves it.

Any recommendations for a decent clothes horse/maiden/bastard? Only need a 1-2 load jobby I reckon.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 28/07/2016 14:08

I hang my ironing over mine when I've done it until I fold it up so it airs and cools off. It's useful to put by the radiator too on rainy days, for things you don't tumble.

And I still have fond memories of using mum's to make a tent to play Swallows And Amazons indoors.

Sgtmajormummy · 28/07/2016 15:21

Why not tumble dry jeans? There are so many thicknesses at the top (5 pockets and their linings, waistband, belt loops, zip and covering) that they take the longest of all. And jeans can get musty if you don't dry them thoroughly memories of wearing clammy jeans still linger decades later.

Is there some MN rule of "Thou shalt not tumble dry jeans." ?

ChicagoBullz · 28/07/2016 15:26

On a sunshine & showers day I use the clothes horse. I can just move it in or out.
FOUR loads of washing though?!?

BerylStreep · 28/07/2016 16:35

Caffeine yes, it really is a bit crap. I hung a load of washing over it and left it overnight. The bits hung over the bars were dry, but anything hanging below the bars was still wet. I ended up having to take it all off and hang it outside the next day. I tried laying pants flat across the bars, and it still only dried them in the bits that were actually touching the bars. Basically it only dries the bits that are actually touching the actual bars and nowhere else.

I'm disappointed as I was really keen on it. Now it's going to basically be a very expensive shelf for keeping our outdoor cushions on.

Chopstick17 · 28/07/2016 17:52

I tumble dry jeans sometimes in an emergency! and never noticed a problem.

Dreamqueen · 28/07/2016 17:57

keep it
You'll regret getting rid of it.
I've got washing line, tumble drier and clothes horse.
Horse is used most.

caffeine99 · 28/07/2016 21:46

Beryl thank you... You've just saved me £70!

Except now I'm wondering if their free standing heated airers are any good...

Sgtmajormummy · 29/07/2016 17:46

caffeine with a free-standing heated airer you could put a big sheet over it all and create a sort of fuggy micro-climate which will get your clothes dry in about 24 hours, which is not much less than drying them in the open! I have one but it's certainly not a miracle solution.

Personally I think a stand-alone spinner with 3200 rpm is the answer to most drying problems. Your clothes are basically dry after five minutes of that, and none of the condensation problems of "heating to dry".

ChicagoBullz · 29/07/2016 17:51

What's a stand alone spinner? Sounds good...

Dontneedausername · 29/07/2016 17:59

Keep it!
I have 2 clothes horses, a whirly on the garden and a tumble drier.
If I think it'll rain, I put all the wee things on the clothes horse and pop it outside. Much easier than pegging and un-pegging 263846 small child's clothing!

kurlique · 29/07/2016 18:50

I have all three but if you do get rid of your enormous clothes horse please donate to me... I would LOVE one that big!!

Loulou2kent · 29/07/2016 18:52

I have all three. I tumble dry everything that can be. Clothes are much softer on my sons raw arms & legs, however, love my airer for DP work clothes & things that shrink! They dry so quick in the conservatory in the summer. It's sooooo hot in there! Winter not so much!

toadgirl · 29/07/2016 18:57

FOUR loads of washing?!

That's not just any clothes horse, that's a clothes CLYDESDALE Grin

Roussette · 29/07/2016 19:00

I used to have a standalone spin dryer like that.... memories!

I have tumble dryer (rarely used), numerous clothes horses that go into walk in airing cupboard, dries really quickly....

and outside washing line.

I like to cover all eventualities!

As far as heated driers, I got my DD one and she loves it, it was half the price of the lakeland one

ChicagoBullz · 29/07/2016 21:55

Wow I never knew those spin dryers existed, they've got fab reviews. I bought a dehumidifier last year because I have such a wet wishing/damp problem in the house

caffeine99 · 29/07/2016 22:43

I'm now in awe of the spinner... But would it not be hard on the clothes?

Sgtmajormummy · 29/07/2016 23:05

Not at all. The clothes stay packed down in one place and the drum spins around. So less bobbling due to friction.

They say silk should go in a towel but that's only to be expected. It's great for anything handwashed like heavy jumpers and I used it a lot for swimming gear when DC had sessions every day. Only one set needed.

HungryHorace · 29/07/2016 23:47

Keep the horse!

We have a washing line, a dryer, two clothes horses (maidens if you're DH), a few radiator airers plus 4 of those multi-peggy thingies used for knickers, socks etc.

We always have a little joke about rotary airers as DH says it sounds like a small, unstable, country...war torn Rotaryairer! It's amusing to us!

My MiL has a Sheila's Maid. We've nowhere to put one. Boo!

caffeine99 · 01/08/2016 09:52

SgtMajormummy I think you've sold me on the spinner - it's my new laundry solution dream!!

liz70 · 01/08/2016 10:34

We have that spin dryer, but keep it in storage mostly, using it if the washing machine breaks down and we have to handwash. We also have a 45 metre rotary dryer in the back garden, two ceiling pulley airers, various radiator airers and sock hangers, plus two standing airers that get used outside the front of the house in spring, when the sun is strongest there. We also have a dri-buddy, but I don't find that much cop, tbh.

Oh, and no tumble drier. The last one started overheating so we binned it and bought a cupboard for food storage to put in its place.

orangebird69 · 01/08/2016 10:38

I live in a hot country and have all three. CBS to hang stuff outside though so towels, linen and underwear go in the dryer, clothes go on the clothes horse in the spare room. I'm terrified of shrinking clothes in the dryer.

orangebird69 · 01/08/2016 10:39

CBA that should be, not CBS

ExtraHotLatteToGo · 01/08/2016 10:50

Clothes Horses are not just for Christmas!