To expect DH to install a washing line!

[LuckyWookie]

He’s been doing the back garden and has removed the twirly washing line to lay a new patio. Lovely. But he’s refused to put the twirly back because it’s unsightly and he wants to install a pergola anyway. And he says we can’t have a straight line either because the garden is terraced on a slope so it would be impossible to get a straight line. I said how am I supposed to dry clothes? He said use the tumble drier? Which horrifies me because my mum taught me it was only for emergencies as the electric costs too much! AIBU to expect my washing line back? And how do you install one when your garden isn’t flat?

I have a couple of these in my garden. Sounds perfect for yours.

Put a normal indoor clothes airer out on the patio on nice days?

www.robertdyas.co.uk/brabantia-wallfix-wall-mounted-airer?gclid=Cj0KCQjw--GFBhDeARIsACH_kdblnRIhbLIiaGK95LVKWrcz0Fx38wqrg7Aoh8SWNm4Sgl4_-4IdK28aAgxQEALw_wcB

Out back garden isn't flat, and we have a straight line. Fixed at 3 points. It just means it's higher at one end than the other. I put the smaller bits, like the kids clothes and t-shirts, underwear and stuff like that on the lower parts, and trousers and bedding up the other end. We also have a tiny garden and it takes up about 3/4 of it.

We have this one attached to our wall, it is great as it folds back in when not in use.

I often put the clothes horse out with the clothes pegged on it if the kids are playing in the garden and I don't want the washing line up.

I think your DH has just offered to be responsible for all the drying...

We have an extendable line which can be taken off the fence when not in use, maybe one of those would work.

I'm with you OP. Either he puts a washing line back or he takes full responsibility for the laundry from now on.

Put one up yourself. Problem solved.

And/or tell him he's in charge of washing from now on.

Oh no, I'd be devastated. There is nothing like the smell of fresh washing off the line and bedlinen is the best thing ever. I hate tumble dryers, they make everything go curly and tight.

Admittedly line drying does look crap for a few hours but I couldn't give it up. I've got one of those retractable thingies too, works great.

Buy a retractable one

Just use the tumble dryer. So much easier than faffing about bringing washing in and out. We just dry everything in it now - well, apart from the odd thing that needs hanging up straight from the wash (we hang on a hanger and hang over the doorways inside).

Yanbu. It's criminal using a tumble dryer all the time if you have a garden. I wash every day and haven't used my tumble dryer this year. Clothes horse when it's really wet, but mostly the line gets things fresh and dry. And, yes , I'm in the UK.

I absolutely do not tumble dry everything. Clothes are fresher and last longer if they get hung outside or on clothes horse (which we use in winter) then I finish some things off in the dryer if necessary. Yes he needs to accept a washing line of some sort. He's an eejit.

Do anything to avoid a tumble drier. We don’t even have one.

@Whaleandsnail6

I often put the clothes horse out with the clothes pegged on it if the kids are playing in the garden and I don't want the washing line up.

That's fine but also a pain in the arse when I retractable line is much better

Retractable clothes line is what you need.

We have a retractable line. I do have a dryer, but so many clothes shrink, that I only use it for some things. Plus why would you use a dryer when the sun/wind is free and better for the environment.

That said, I installed the line myself, I do most of the DIY and don't believe in expecting the "man of the house" to do this stuff.

@LuckyWookie, like your husband I hate the look of a washing line but it's necessary. Form follows function. He needs to come up with an imaginative way of screening the line.

Everything here goes in a heat-pump tumble dryer. It uses much less electricity, and it really saves a lot of time. And the towels are much nicer!

Of course wanting the washing line back isn't unreasonable. Insist that it is put back, otherwise you will stop doing his laundry.

You’ve had good suggestions about retractable washing lines.

Instead of a tumble drier, I use a heated clothes airer when the weather is bad. It is MUCH cheaper to run than a tumble drier and works well.

Wanting a washing line is not unreasonable. Waiting around for someone else to put one up is ridiculous!

My "twirly" line is only in place when actually drying when I take the washing in I fold the arms in, pop a cover on it, lift it out of the hole and put it in the shed. Then next time we need it drop it back in the hole, whip the cover off and extend the arms. Install it yourself - it's just hitting a spike into the ground.

@DoyouthinkIcare

Wanting a washing line is not unreasonable. Waiting around for someone else to put one up is ridiculous!

It's not ridiculous asking someone to replace it when they removed her previous one though