Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you about washing lines?

34 replies

Letstryagainshallwe · 13/08/2017 00:13

Not really an aibu sorry. But those of you that dry your washing on a line how do you cope with the spiders?! I've had two today come in. Would I get less if I dried them on an airer outside rather than the line? How do you deal with the creepy crawlies. I know I need a tumble drier

OP posts:
ThouShallNotPass · 13/08/2017 00:23

I don't like outdoor drying because of exactly that. The best way I've found is to clean the line thoroughly before hanging. Keep pegs inside too. (Don't leave them out to become spider houses!) Use a brush on the poles and a damp cloth over the line to make sure there are no creepy crawlers waiting.

Crumbs1 · 13/08/2017 00:33

Not a problem I've noticed. I line dry as much as possible and have three lines strung between trees but spiders aren't an issue. That said they are just spiders so,wouldn't be an issue if I did see some.

BabsGanoush · 13/08/2017 00:42

you mean the little spidies that fly on their webs?

I just shake the washing before bringing in - and by following Thou 's rules.

SecretLifeOfTTC · 13/08/2017 00:46

I refuse to use the washing line! I'll gladly drag the horse in and out all day as no big creepy crawlys manage their way onto that. I can deal with little money spiders but not massive weird garden spiders. I just just can't cope.
Only thing that DH puts on the washing line is jerseys from the club he manages i don't mind so much if they end up with creepy crawlies on their backsGrin

onemorerose · 13/08/2017 00:46

I tumble dry my clothes in off the line. And I've just realised my drier is probably full of them Shock

Original poster
Letstryagainshallwe · 13/08/2017 01:17

Lol onemorerose not sure I want a tumble drier now!

Yeh it's only little ones I'm not scared of them only scared of the huge beastly ones but the kids are.

OP posts:
MeanAger · 13/08/2017 01:28

I've been using a washing line for 12 years and I don't once recall finding a spider amongst my washing! And I hate spiders so definitely would have remembered if I had found one.

Original poster
Letstryagainshallwe · 13/08/2017 01:43

I wonder why I keep getting them then?! They even make webs on my line!

OP posts:
onemorerose · 13/08/2017 01:44

I find spiders living on my washing line all the time. I'm in an insect loving area! Don't mind them usually but not on my clothes.

MeanAger · 13/08/2017 01:46

Is your garden shady?

MeanAger · 13/08/2017 01:46

I get lots of slugs on the ground but no spiders. I have cats though, maybe they eat the spiders?

ThouShallNotPass · 13/08/2017 02:13

Mine is full of spiders because I don't use it more than a few times a year. That's why I ended up using the brush to clean it before the cloth.

Stick to nice vented tumble dryer instead. Only spiders near them are maybe hiding underneath like they do with the other appliances.

Eleventybillionfucks · 13/08/2017 03:02

I just dry everything inside on airing racks then iron it all id never put clean clothes outside to dry too much air pollution to make them dirty again and the risk of rain and insects

AGrinWithoutACat · 13/08/2017 06:43

Very rarely get spiders or insects on the washing

Good shake and keep a glass nearby to catch them if you are worried

Cailleach666 · 13/08/2017 06:46

What;s the problem with spiders? I can't say I have ever had one on washing, but it's not as if they are big carriers of disease or are venemous.
If your kids are scared then it's a perfect time to teach them to get over their fears.

BarbaraofSevillle · 13/08/2017 07:20

Agree with Caill and Crumbs. Assuming you are not in a country like Australia with wildlife that is actually dangerous, I don't see an issue and you should aim to bring your DCs up to appreciate nature, not be scared of it.

On the last washing line thread, which was deleted, I was shocked about the number of people who tumble dried as a matter of routine and would never hang washing out, even when there is no chance of rain. People must have money to burn and no thought for the environment.

Cailleach666 · 13/08/2017 07:26

Barabara- yes, I can't stand tumble driers.

echt · 13/08/2017 07:28

I'm in Australia. I button/zip up duvet covers and hang up pillow cases open end down. My washing line isn't overhung by trees. I don't shake out clothes. I've never seen a spider in clothes, but have been arrested by the rare sight of the eight-leggeed ones emerging from the bedclothes. But then they could have been in the bedroom anyway.

I don't over think this. But then I'm not scared of spiders and know the local A&E is well on top of all this.

RedStripeLassi · 13/08/2017 07:29

I've got so many spiders and webs in the house it's actually safer to dry it out in the line Sad

I don't mind spiders though. Wasps are the stripy sporne of Satan though.

EvilDoctorBallerinaDuck · 13/08/2017 07:30

I love spiders. Not a problem. 😆

RedStripeLassi · 13/08/2017 07:30

That was meant to be Grin

Alison100199 · 13/08/2017 07:30

I have a retractable washing line and take it down when I'm not using it so I don't get spiders on it at all.

Oncewaswho · 13/08/2017 07:32

Just shake them off. It hardly ever happens though.

Passthecake30 · 13/08/2017 07:32

I make sure I collapse and cover the rotary line over night (apart from the rare occasions I leave washing outnovernight), in my experience, webs appear in the night and not in the day.
Spiders don't bother me

Eleventybillionfucks · 13/08/2017 07:33

The only things I'll tumble dry are towels and bedding can't stand how hot the dryer makes the kitchen or the rising electric bill after using it

Swipe left for the next trending thread