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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave my laundry out in the rain and just wait for it to dry again?

68 replies

AngryBirdsNoMore · 04/07/2023 22:28

Is this something other people do too?

I put my laundry out early this morning, it was drying off nicely…and then it started raining and has barely stopped.

AIBU for just leaving it out, even though it’s now soaked? And I’ll then just wait until it dries off again? Are there any downsides?

OP posts:
DixonD · 04/07/2023 22:50

I do this all the time! Nothing bad has happened yet.

megletthesecond · 04/07/2023 22:52

If they're soaked you'll need to spin them again. It's not warm enough to get rid of all the water.

Dollysmixture · 04/07/2023 22:55

I’ve left mine out in the rain. Strangely I’ve heard it argued that washing left out overnight then smells of cats/doesn’t smell clean. Odd!

Fifiesta · 04/07/2023 22:56

Tried it once, but the clothes smelt fusty after, so now I would re-rinse & start again.
No judgement though, if they still smell sweet, leave them be.

stardust40 · 04/07/2023 23:01

Yep and I also put it out before bed so I don't have to get up early and put it out before work🤣 in the summer it's often dry by morning!

Captainheyho · 04/07/2023 23:02

Spicy Willie has just made me chuckle

Original poster
AngryBirdsNoMore · 04/07/2023 23:03

Captainheyho · 04/07/2023 23:02

Spicy Willie has just made me chuckle

Whoops!

OP posts:
Original poster
AngryBirdsNoMore · 04/07/2023 23:04

I don’t mind being called a sloven. I’m 38 weeks pregnant, if I don’t get to be slovenly now, when do I!

OP posts:
MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 04/07/2023 23:08

Depends if they are staying wet for ages and get that nasty fusty damp smell or not.

Mindovermatter247 · 04/07/2023 23:13

Generally I would if I’d just put it out, if it’s almost dry then it comes in… sometimes shove it in the dryer for 5 mins just to finish it off..

ZenNudist · 04/07/2023 23:13

I live in a city and my glass table regularly gets dirty with the rainwater. I think it's not nice plus fusty smell. Yuk.

LadyJ2023 · 04/07/2023 23:13

Mine is still out got rained on again today. With 4 children I don't have a choice the house already has it drying inside everywhere lol. Never had problems with it re drying tho.

Worryaboutwork · 04/07/2023 23:15

Yes it will stink. I hate the rainwater dried smell. Sorry!

Wenfy · 04/07/2023 23:19

They stink though. I personally don’t like line drying at all for any reason other than to get stains out. Prefer a dryer with some scented dryer sheets lol

Worryaboutwork · 04/07/2023 23:20

AngryBirdsNoMore · 04/07/2023 23:04

I don’t mind being called a sloven. I’m 38 weeks pregnant, if I don’t get to be slovenly now, when do I!

In this instance I'd have probably got my husband to do the laundry or sent it to the laundrette 🤣 You are definitely not sloven! good luck with the upcoming arrival of your little one OP. X

Theoldwoman · 04/07/2023 23:20

I do it unless something is urgently needed. Saves double handling which is a pet peeve of mine .

Givemeallthepasta · 04/07/2023 23:23

I honestly thought I was the only one who did this! Put the washing out this morning and the forecast was dry but there was a sudden downpour just as I arrived home. No point in getting drenched trying to bring it in plus I don't want soppy wet bedding all over the house. Have left it out overnight in the hopes the sunshine tomorrow will sort it.

If my mum were alive she'd tell me that was 'very slack'. 😂

Mumtothreegirlies · 04/07/2023 23:23

i have 4 towels left out for 3 days. I’m sure the neighbours are judging me but I honestly can’t be bothered. Keep looking and at them and thinking meh nah not today 😆

RightOnTheEdge · 04/07/2023 23:27

YANBU.
had some washing out the other day that kept getting rained on by showers and then drying.
I was tired and had lost the will to live a little bit so just left them out.

I thought I was going to have to wash them again but they actually still smelled nice. Maybe because they dried quickly because it was windy.

Deathbyfluffy · 04/07/2023 23:28

BlueRabbitYellow · 04/07/2023 22:43

Yes, it's slovenly. It would also bother me if I could see it in someone else's garden. BUT, I've done it myself before when I'm just too tired. Only my immediate neighbour has a view of it though and I look after her cat when she's away so equilibrium is maintained.

Why would seeing someone else’s washing bother you? 😮

Blueskysunflower · 04/07/2023 23:29

Having seen the state of my car, which was washed on the weekend, has been repeatedly rained on and is now covered in pollen/dirt in raindrop patterns/bird poop, no I wouldn’t leave anything out in the rain much less for days. If it was clothes or bedding I’d re wash. Admittedly things like a dog blanket I’d be less bothered about.

greenmarsupial · 04/07/2023 23:33

stardust40 · 04/07/2023 23:01

Yep and I also put it out before bed so I don't have to get up early and put it out before work🤣 in the summer it's often dry by morning!

I do this, there's too much to do in the morning to spend precious time pegging out washing! I do check the weather forecast but it's not always correct ☔️

Summerfun54321 · 04/07/2023 23:34

You will be judged by neighbours but fuck em.

Sugargliderwombat · 04/07/2023 23:42

Quitelikeit · 04/07/2023 22:37

I leave mine out for days and weeks sometimes then pop it in the dryer on freshen up for 10 mins to catch all the spiders (have so many webs on my rotary line)

Weeks ! I admire your dedication haha

BlueRabbitYellow · 04/07/2023 23:47

Deathbyfluffy · 04/07/2023 23:28

Why would seeing someone else’s washing bother you? 😮

Show quote history

Hmm.. good question. Seeing someone's soggy underpants on the line for days isn't appealing. Maybe it shows a lack of care or respect or interest in the neighbourhood? Like leaving your empty wheelie bins in freefall on the pavement after collection day. I do think seeing white shirts blowing in the breeze on a line is one of life's joys. And there's a sadness to the forgotten, soggy washing hanging neglected on a rotary dryer.