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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU? To think that a lot of people aren't drying their washing properly these days?

443 replies

Oobiedoobiedo · 05/10/2023 17:17

I notice a lot when I'm out and about people who haven't dried their washing properly *, and so it has that sour musty smell washing gets when it's wet too long or isn't getting enough air. To me it's a really "loud" smell, and I just wonder if people don't notice it? Or maybe don't care?

*disclaimer: I'm not critiquing people whose circumstances mean they can't dry them any other way, I have been there myself, but the people who could dry it correctly but don't.

It just puzzles me.

OP posts:
AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 05/10/2023 18:05

How can you tell the difference between people who can't dry their clothes properly and those who do, but won't?

UnctuousUnicorns · 05/10/2023 18:06

Notadramallama · 05/10/2023 17:23

How would you define drying it properly?

It's too wet outside to dry it on the line and not cold enough to have the heating on in the house. I don't own a tumble drier. How should I be drying my clothes?

We don't have a tumble dryer either. We have up to three dehumidifiers running in the house at any one time, to dry washing indoors in this weather. Most things are washed at 60°. I don't want smelly clothes.

Llamadramma · 05/10/2023 18:07

I’m still drying clothes and sheets outside - cut off for me is 10 degrees . I also still wash things at 40 not 30 as I think 30 doesn’t touch really dirty clothes ( teenagers)

TurquoiseDress · 05/10/2023 18:08

Yes this time of year is tricky for drying

Usually it's straight out onto the washing line once cycle is done....I berate DH for leaving washing in the machine for several hours- it stinks!

He doesn't seemed bothered or notices

In the winter we'll dry inside with the heating and and also have a dehumidifier which is fab, has a laundry setting, the amount of water collected in the reserve afterwards is incredible! I use to water the plants Grin

TheThingIsYeah · 05/10/2023 18:09

I know what you mean OP, it's a horrible smell, like a damp dishcloth, someone sat next to me on the train the other day, it stank - are they completely nose blind?

Could be a number of reasons. Laziness, ultimately imo. Can't be bothered to take the damp clothes out of the washing machine, can't be bothered to hang clothes on a line outside, can't be bothered to iron, etc.

But I'm sure someone will be along to say it's the Tories fault, and when Sir Kier rises to power everyone will smell of rose petals.

PuzzledObserver · 05/10/2023 18:09

What is the “proper” way to dry clothes? You just put them somewhere suitable until they’re dry. Then either fold or iron, depending, and put them away.

PlantDoctor · 05/10/2023 18:09

I don't have a tumble drier either. Definitely recommend drying on a rack next to a dehumidifier, and obviously don't overload the rack to allow air flow.

Chchchanging · 05/10/2023 18:11

Dehumidifier has been a really good buy for us. Can't dry outside in summer due to hay fever. Heating not yet on..
Dehumidifier doesn't cost much to run and makes the house feel warmer as its less damp. Dries clothes quickly..

PlantDoctor · 05/10/2023 18:11

@TurquoiseDress washing shouldn't smell after only a few hours in the machine. Have you tried doing a good cleaning cycle with washing machine cleaner? I find it really helps.

Teapleasebobb · 05/10/2023 18:12

We had this last winter, because I had to cut down drastically the amount of time the heating was on as it was just too expensive to run (very old, cold house) then there just wasn't enough heat in the house to dry the washing. I hate the musty smell and got so frustrated at the amount of times I had to rewash my washing because of it!
I've bought a heated airer this year, it's ok, not the magic solution that it's been touted as but better than nothing I guess, trying to leave to for as long as possible before we put on the heating.

UnctuousUnicorns · 05/10/2023 18:12

PuzzledObserver · 05/10/2023 18:09

What is the “proper” way to dry clothes? You just put them somewhere suitable until they’re dry. Then either fold or iron, depending, and put them away.

Which doesn't work indoors in damp weather; unless you use a dehumidifier or similar. They take so long to dry that they end up smelling musty. Which is the point of this thread.

Dizzydeers · 05/10/2023 18:13

My washing machine has a 30-40 degree eco setting. DSs school shirts started to smell musty despite being washed after each wear and dried properly. The low temp wasn’t cleaning properly, one wash at 60 and the smell was gone.

PositanoBay · 05/10/2023 18:14

Dizzydeers · 05/10/2023 17:21

The weather has been poor. Drying inside there might not be much space, homes may already be damp due to a poor summer.

A poor summer? It's been boiling most days!

TurquoiseDress · 05/10/2023 18:14

PlantDoctor · 05/10/2023 18:11

@TurquoiseDress washing shouldn't smell after only a few hours in the machine. Have you tried doing a good cleaning cycle with washing machine cleaner? I find it really helps.

I'll have to try that!

We bought a new washing machine several months ago, just feel it smells if it's left in there for hours...maybe it's just me Blush

nomoremsniceperson · 05/10/2023 18:14

I'm one of those people, unfortunately. I find that lots of washes come out smelling of mould suddenly and I don't know why. Then I have to boil wash the stuff to get the stink out. I don't know why it's happening so often at the moment. It's driving me nuts

Colourfulponderings · 05/10/2023 18:15

It’s hard to get clothes dry at this time of year, they don’t fully dry on an indoor airer, even after days hung on it.

SurprisedWithAHorse · 05/10/2023 18:15

disclaimer: I'm not critiquing people whose circumstances mean they can't dry them any other way, I have been there myself, but the people who could dry it correctly but don't.

Does the second type of person smell differently?

coxesorangepippin · 05/10/2023 18:16

People also hate drying outdoors

So there are clothes on the maiden that are too full of stuff so it smells musty

Like a Victorian washhouse

PuzzledObserver · 05/10/2023 18:17

UnctuousUnicorns · 05/10/2023 18:12

Which doesn't work indoors in damp weather; unless you use a dehumidifier or similar. They take so long to dry that they end up smelling musty. Which is the point of this thread.

Show quote history

I have never noticed this.

So either my house doesn’t have this problem (we dry over airers in the kitchen, which has underfloor heating, and a whole house ventilation system, so in theory the moisture is being constantly forced out of the house) or I’m one of the guilty ones.

PuppyMonkey · 05/10/2023 18:17

“Boiling most days” - lol. Grin

I’ve got a heated airer and I know people love them but I think they’re a bit shit. I’ve got a cover and everything for mine but it just don’t dry everything properly unless you put like one pair of jeans spread over the entire tier. Leaving no room for anything else.

LovePoppy · 05/10/2023 18:22

IslaWinds · 05/10/2023 17:23

It’s both washing and drying that isn’t being done properly. You can’t wash on super cold and then hang dry indoors and expect to have very clean clothes.

i only wash on cold
in winter clothes dry inside.

they are as clean as summer.

washing clothes in hot ruins them.

I always find this interesting. North America washes in cold, but UK washes in hot. I wonder why

SueDonnym · 05/10/2023 18:22

Condensing boilers add to the problem - no airing cupboard.

Hankunamatata · 05/10/2023 18:23

Heating poverty? Damp houses?

I'm lucky we can afford a tumble drier and couple large airers which we have in sitting room and dining room. Plus I'm big fan of airing my house. Dh goes nuts as I leave windows open so much

Boriswentcamping · 05/10/2023 18:26

I hate my washing machine. It's an "eco" rated one because it uses so little water... but the problem is it doesn't wash or rinse properly "because it uses so little water!".

This means I have to select the secret "double extra rinse" option designed for people with sensitive skin.. (or really just anybody with skin, who doesn't want loads of soap on their clothes) This means it uses more water and is generally better at washing but it now takes much longer and can hardly be considered "eco" anymore. Also a synthetics load will only take 4kg (so less than a quarter of the drum full) and a cottons programme which allows you to fill the drum takes well over 4 hours and wrecks the clothes as it has such a harsh spin then you need to add another 30 mins onto that for the secret "double rinse"....Hmm on paper it is energy efficient which I'm all for but in reality it's total green wash and drives me insane! Costs me an absolute fortune in both electricity and water... it was an expensive purchase, but I actually think it would be cheaper to give up on it and buy a new machine, although I suspect they are probably all going this way to be energy efficient.

Rant over Blush....... things that have helped are switching to Ecover bio powder, using less powder and swapping my heated drying rack for a dehumidifier (I also don't have space for a tumble dryer.) The dehumidifier is fab!! And stops clothes getting that musty smell .... when you use a heated airer it dries clothes a little bit quicker but all the moisture just ends up in the air....

WhycantIkeepthisbloodyplantalive · 05/10/2023 18:27

I honestly can't stand the smell. It keeps happening to my clothes, so I have bought a third clothes horse to try and get more air to the clothes. I will re wash of it happens though.

Husband is completely against getting a new tumble dryer because somehow I've managed to break 2. The second one set on fire.