Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

MIL turned all my washing inside out!

356 replies

JanS17 · 22/06/2023 06:53

We are on holiday at the moment with DH’s family (me, DH, DD, MIL, SIL, BIL, and dog).

Yesterday I did a load of washing (mix of mine, DH, and DD) and before we went out for lunch, I hung it all up nicely on the clothes rack and put it out in the sun to dry.

When we got back from lunch, MIL said she had moved a few things around to help them dry faster. I was a bit confused as the clothes were hung up as I wanted them to begin with but shrugged and said ok.

Yesterday evening I brought the rack of clothes inside and found that she has turned every single item of clothing (except socks - thank goodness!!) inside out!!

I am equally confused and pissed off. Why would she see my nicely hung out washing, and think to herself that it’s a good idea to remove every single piece of clothing, turn it inside out, and put it back?? Why was she even touching my washing in the first place???

The clothes are now all creased where she’s hung them crooked, and I have an extra chore of turning them all back the right way round again.

AIBU??

YABU - she was just trying to help (??)
YANBU - what was she thinking??

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 22/06/2023 09:35

I was always taught to wash things inside out, so am surprised they weren’t inside out to start with

PinkIcedCream · 22/06/2023 09:38

She’s definitely overstepping and treating you as her child.

If I thought my way was much better than DIL’s and only if it was something important, I might possibly mention it in passing, but more of a chat rather than a telling.

However, I respect my DIL’s and generally only offer advice if it’s asked for.

OP, when you’re next eating a meal, grab her knife and fork and start cutting up her food, with a tinkly laugh and ‘oops, I’m so used to doing this for DD’.

phoenixrosehere · 22/06/2023 09:38

YANBU

If it’s not your laundry, leave it alone.

It is that simple. Doesn’t matter if it irks someone the way it has been done, just leave it be and concentrate on your own clothes. If you want to help someone, ASK and if they say no, accept the answer given and leave things be.

I really don’t get why this is so difficult for some people.

PlacidPenelope · 22/06/2023 09:39

MoveOnTheCards · 22/06/2023 07:03

I always wash, dry (and iron) clothes inside out. It helps protect the fibres and keeps them looking good for longer.

She was doing you a favour!

I do the same.

Lcb123 · 22/06/2023 09:40

That’s weird (sounds like a fun holiday…)
but she’s right, you should wash and dry inside out to help clothes last longer

Avondale89 · 22/06/2023 09:42

Bizarre overreaction.

Enjoy your holiday.

mayorofcasterbridge · 22/06/2023 09:42

Get over yourself - what harm did she do?! I wash clothes inside out? And dry them the same way!

todaloomf · 22/06/2023 09:44

JanS17 · 22/06/2023 06:53

We are on holiday at the moment with DH’s family (me, DH, DD, MIL, SIL, BIL, and dog).

Yesterday I did a load of washing (mix of mine, DH, and DD) and before we went out for lunch, I hung it all up nicely on the clothes rack and put it out in the sun to dry.

When we got back from lunch, MIL said she had moved a few things around to help them dry faster. I was a bit confused as the clothes were hung up as I wanted them to begin with but shrugged and said ok.

Yesterday evening I brought the rack of clothes inside and found that she has turned every single item of clothing (except socks - thank goodness!!) inside out!!

I am equally confused and pissed off. Why would she see my nicely hung out washing, and think to herself that it’s a good idea to remove every single piece of clothing, turn it inside out, and put it back?? Why was she even touching my washing in the first place???

The clothes are now all creased where she’s hung them crooked, and I have an extra chore of turning them all back the right way round again.

AIBU??

YABU - she was just trying to help (??)
YANBU - what was she thinking??

She would have been trying to help, not that it makes it at all helpful. Just means she's not intending to do anything to annoy you. That would drive me up the wall mind. My MIL (whom I adore fyi) brings my washing when it's still damp so I have to hang it out again :)

toomuchlaundry · 22/06/2023 09:44

Maybe you could get DH to help turn the things the right way to share the load

Stonetears · 22/06/2023 09:44

She was trying to prevent fading

Twentypastfour · 22/06/2023 09:44

I always hang washing the right way out - especially if the clothes are white or have white on them, to sun bleach any stains out. I don’t think the DC’s school polos would be even vaguely wearable if they didn’t get regularly sun bleached!

Although I suppose inside out is right for very bright clothes.

I wouldn’t touch anyone else’s washing though.

PinkIcedCream · 22/06/2023 09:45

MucozadeOnLucozade · 22/06/2023 09:34

Also no one has considered the bird shit. If a bird shits in your clothes better on the inside than the outside as will still be wearable.

What??? Don’t be ridiculous.

We live rurally and this is not an uncommon hazard BUT I always re-wash the offending item.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 22/06/2023 09:46

I do wash some things inside out but only if it says on the label, and then hang those things inside out too. Otherwise no. In my 50 years on this planet I’ve never had my washing faded by the sun, but then I live in Scotland.

I’d be a bit annoyed too OP, just say to her to leave your washing alone.

mainsfed · 22/06/2023 09:46

She is a busybody twat. Tell DH to tell her not to do it again.

liveforsummer · 22/06/2023 09:50

ReviewingTheSituation · 22/06/2023 07:52

I don't get this fading thing... clothes hang on the line for a few hours, and then you put them on and wear them in the sun. Surely you're not all wearing your clothes inside out to prevent fading?! They spend a lot longer on your body than they do on the line.

They're much more likely to fade in the wash than on the line.

When hanging on a rack or line one sharp edge is exposed. Also we rarely just stand stock still on one spot for ages so sun only hits one spot

Livingabroad12 · 22/06/2023 09:51

I think as with so many MIL threads it depends on the relationship! If my MIL had done this I’d have probably thanked her, had a quiet laugh with my husband, and forgotten all about it, but then I love my MIL!! I can imagine if you don’t have a great relationship and feel like she interferes or oversteps in other ways, this feels like the latest in a line of annoyances!

stayathomer · 22/06/2023 09:51

Always turn at least your black clothes inside out if it’s really really hot- I lost a fab top this way- it went patchy over a sun holiday. Everyone was very helpful in correcting me AFTERWARDS when the top was already horrendous looking 😅

TooOldForThisNonsense · 22/06/2023 09:52

MucozadeOnLucozade · 22/06/2023 09:34

Also no one has considered the bird shit. If a bird shits in your clothes better on the inside than the outside as will still be wearable.

wtf? Who would wear clothes with bird shit on it inside? Sincerely hope this is a joke!

Robinni · 22/06/2023 09:53

I used to wash/ hang like you do…

However, turned inside out years ago as:-

  1. properly cleans clothes where they’ve been touching your skin
  2. prevents damage in wash
  3. ready for ironing
  4. stops fading in sun
DrSbaitso · 22/06/2023 09:53

Topseyt123 · 22/06/2023 09:30

I have never washed or hung clothes inside out and never will. In fact, if anyone puts their stuff in the wash inside out then I turn it the right way out. It irritates the fuck out of me otherwise.

Your MIL should have kept her beak out. I'd have been tempted to tell her that, but probably would hold back if it was a one-off because she probably meant well.

I don't buy this "stopping it from fading" bollocks. I find sunlight helps remove the final vestiges of some stains too. It is washed and hung the right way out here and that won't be changing.

I don't buy this "stopping it from fading" bollocks. I find sunlight helps remove the final vestiges of some stains too.

That's because of the same process that stops it from fading.

It is washed and hung the right way out here and that won't be changing.

Nobody is trying to force you!

DrSbaitso · 22/06/2023 09:54

Gah, tired. I meant, the same process that causes fading.

Theoldgreygoose · 22/06/2023 09:56

greencheetah · 22/06/2023 06:56

Obviously she shouldn’t have touched your washing.

I used to live in the West Indies, and we would dry clothes inside out if drying them in the sun, to protect from fading.

Is MIL West Indian or from a hot country?

If not, I’ve got nothing 😎

I don't think you need to be from the West Indies to hang washing inside out - I do it in NZ. You can soon see a difference in clothing, especially dark clothing, which hasn't been turned inside out before hanging on the clothes line as it definitely fades.

I imagine MIL was trying to be helpful, but it obviously wasn't appreciated.

phoenixrosehere · 22/06/2023 09:56

Livingabroad12 · 22/06/2023 09:51

I think as with so many MIL threads it depends on the relationship! If my MIL had done this I’d have probably thanked her, had a quiet laugh with my husband, and forgotten all about it, but then I love my MIL!! I can imagine if you don’t have a great relationship and feel like she interferes or oversteps in other ways, this feels like the latest in a line of annoyances!

I get on with my MIL and this would still bug me because I don’t like people doing my laundry without asking me and even if they did, I would still say no. If it were just the kids’ laundry I wouldn’t mind but my own mixed in with theirs, I would.

Robinni · 22/06/2023 09:57

TooOldForThisNonsense · 22/06/2023 09:52

wtf? Who would wear clothes with bird shit on it inside? Sincerely hope this is a joke!

Show quote history

@TooOldForThisNonsense

Bird shit can stain clothes permanently, just like it buggers up paintwork of cars; it’s corrosive

Of course if it lands on clothing you would wash before wearing… but the stain would be on inside and clothing possibly salvageable if you had hung it up inside out as @MucozadeOnLucozade pointed out.

Don’t think this would be my primary concern… as how often does it happen?! But true nonetheless

flyhome · 22/06/2023 09:58

I always turn things inside out before washing, it protects the outer surface (we you look at) from rubbing and pilling. Shorts and trousers (or anything with pockets) dry better and more quickly inside out, as the pockets don't bunch up in a damp ball. I can't see why you would bother with knickers and t shirts though...

Swipe left for the next trending thread