Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

Do you put your washing out when it's cold?

140 replies

Luckycatsplat · 11/02/2018 16:09

Bright windy day here.
Not damp but coooold.
I was going to put the washing out anyway. I doubt it would dry but it would have got some air through it.
Husband thinks it is a silly idea.
We went out before the machine finished and it's too late now anyway but curious what other people think. Because I live life on the edge like that.

OP posts:

throwcushions · 11/02/2018 19:23

Not sad Enid! I love hanging out tiny baby gros.

bananafish81 · 11/02/2018 19:45

Everything in the dryer, except for the stuff that can't be tumbled, which gets hung up on a couple of ironing hooks over the top of the door to the spare room

Don't and haven't ever owned a washing line (although for many years lived in a flat with no outside space which doesn't count!)

I would give up the dishwasher and the freezer before I gave up a dryer. Currently in rented accommodation while doing renovations and rental has a separate dryer, after years of combi washer / dryers. It's heavenly. DH told me he was 'a little bit in love' with the dryer cos it dries massive loads in super quick time. What used to be three loads in our combi gets done in one load now.

Bowerbird5 · 12/02/2018 09:29

Firemen would tell you not to leave appliances on when going to bed or going out. I never do.

I thought it was Canada. I have relations there and a friend in Calgary.

pontiouspilates · 12/02/2018 09:54

For all those saying 'tumble dryer' do you bung everything in? I use my tumble a lot, but still find that there are lots of things that have 'no tumble dry' on the label, so still end up with stuff draped over radiators etc.

Backenette · 12/02/2018 09:55

No I don’t tumble everything.

Only cottons. Everything else goes on he drier. Dry in a day max, hours usually.

Uk houses seem to be poorly ventilated, cold and prone to damp.

Fluffymcflufftown · 12/02/2018 10:03

I used to always leave the washing machine on and go out.
One day I went to hang out the washing, as it should have finished about half an hour before, but it was still going and said 10 mins left. Thinking I must've messed the times up, I came back in 10 mins but it said 5 mins left.... Came back 10 mins later the room was filled with thick smoke and the smell of burning rubber. The spinning cycle had malfunctioned.
Dealt with it and it was ok. Needed new machine and the clothes that were in the machine stank for ages after despite washing at the launderette several times!
If I hadn't have checked we would have had a proper fire. It was scary. I never leave it on now!

ppeatfruit · 12/02/2018 11:21

What type of machine was it Fluffy We do spend a lot on our WM . Does it make a difference do you think?

chocolateiamydrug · 12/02/2018 11:34

For all those saying 'tumble dryer' do you bung everything in?

yes, all in... I largely ignore labels apart from the obvious stuff like delicates, whool etc.

DaisyDrip · 12/02/2018 11:42

Rarely use my drier. I love washing line, outdoors smell. There is only me so I time my loads around nice drying weather. I've just bought new clothes props too as I've just moved house and now have two lovely long lines.

NoWordForFluffy · 12/02/2018 11:49

We dry outside all year round. We're on the NW coast and it's pretty breezy most of the time, so things get dried pretty well even in winter. And even if they're not fully dry, they'll finish off really quickly on the clothes horse or in the dryer.

I love the line-dried smell and I really do prefer to avoid the dryer where possible.

bananafish81 · 12/02/2018 12:13

I tumble most stuff. I don't tumble any woollens or bras or jeans or expensive gym gear, but most stuff tumbles absolutely fine.

I hang stuff that can't be tumbled up on hangars on ironing hooks on the back of the spare room door. It's only ever a few items so they dry pretty quickly and don't get in the way.

My indulgence is getting work shirts washed and ironed at the dry cleaner over the road, as I can get 5 shirts beautifully ironed for £7. I don't drink or run a car, so not ironing (and getting crisp cotton shirts beautifully pressed) for the cost of a bottle of wine is a luxury that is well worth it to me.

Fluffymcflufftown · 12/02/2018 12:45

@ppeatfruit It was a John Lewis one. Think the repair guys said a bearing came loose. Was a decent machine, under 2 years old, never had a single issue with it. I'm hyper aware of it now though

Exiguous · 12/02/2018 13:28

I haven't line dried anything since my line was destroyed by an ice storm.

I thought about checking if my paving stones are dry or not but I haven't seen them since early Dec when the snow started.

Exiguous · 12/02/2018 13:29

We're in Canada :-) have to admit I have been sniggering a bit at the UK having 'critical cold weather warnings' for -4

Yes last week ny UK friends were horrified that it was -7 there. It was quite warm here at -20 :-)

SaskaTchewan · 12/02/2018 13:49

Tumble dryers take far too long!
I am home today, South West, it's sunny and breezy, and I have put 4 loads on the line this morning. At least 3 will be completely dry by the time I take them back in, and the 4th will dry overnight indoors if needed. It would take my dryer all day to do the same, what's the point.

I find clothes to dry a lot better and faster in the winter here, when it's windy, than in most of the summer. Unless we have a heat wave, it's not that hot in the UK.

JohnLordMarbury · 12/02/2018 13:50

Yes, if it's a nice day it goes out. The only time I ever use the tumble dryer is for towels if the clothes can't go out.

BackforGood · 12/02/2018 14:56

No. I only put in stuff that is supposed to be tumble-able. Yes, it does mean there is often stuff to be dried on airers, but only a tiny fraction of the stuff there would be if I didn't use it.

MaisyPops · 12/02/2018 15:02

If it's cold with damp air then i don't put it out because it just stays cold and damp.

I don't tumble dry though. Just stick it on indoor airers.

GrouchyKiwi · 12/02/2018 16:20

Saska My drier takes about 90 minutes for full load of bamboo nappy inners. A bit less for a 7kg load of cotton clothes.

megletthesecond · 12/02/2018 16:22

Yes.

It blows the creases out even if it isn't bone dry. I just pop it on the airer when I bring it in.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 12/02/2018 16:28

I love putting washing on the line, today I did two loads, they get a blow through so smell better and get a few creases out and then i finish them off on the radiator, sometimes they do actually dry but are sooooo cold they feel damp and a quick drape on a radiator is all it takes.

Petalflowers · 12/02/2018 18:17

In the interest of MN science, I put some washing out today. Blue skies and dry pavement so I was optimistic. I bought it in about 3pm, before I thought it would go damp.

My conclusion was mixed. Some items were still damp, some almost dry, and one or two 99% dry. The advantage was that it didn’t fill my house with damp. I think I may try it again if i’m At home and can get it in by 3-4pm, otherwise it will just go damp. I didn’t get the fresh line-dried vibe though.

NoWordForFluffy · 12/02/2018 19:05

We had two loads out today and they were both fully dry when brought in at about 4.30. That was after getting hailed on at about 9 this morning!

Spangles1963 · 12/02/2018 19:24

When it's cold,yes. When it's dark? No.

Fluffyears · 12/02/2018 20:05

I’m InScotland and put out towels a few weeks back that came in solid. I actually had to lift them like a board! I like to hang towels and bedding out as they are heavy and then if needed they get finished off on tumble drier.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6