Washing on lines in the rain.

[Mokel]

Even with 72 hours of yellow weather warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms from my home, I can see three gardens and yards (Victorian terraces) with washing on their lines!

When they do take their washing in, they have to rewash it again as 1 it will stink and 2 probably dirty marks on the items where they rested on the line plus peg marks.

How stupid do you have to be not to remove washing from outside when it rains? If you are out for the day and its forecasted rain - you don't put it out.

🍿

Oh bless your dad... I hope he's doing better now 💐

Ah I knew someone would have the answer...

Why do you care so much? Where do you live that rain makes washing stink?

I don't think you should go there. The OP may not want it known she lives in the type of neighbourhood that leaves washing out overnight 😬.

I work in palliative care. How blessed you are to have this as a concern in your life.

Maybe their line is clean because they don't leave it out if they're not using it for months, or because they wipe it down before they first used it again.

Maybe their pegs don't leave marks because they are plastic or they are careful not to use old wooden ones on delicate pale fabrics.

Maybe their washing doesn't smell because it is clean, and not left sitting around damp in a basket.

Maybe their washing smells even better after getting an extra rinse in clean rainwater.

Maybe they do it on purpose because soft rainwater makes clothes that have been washed in hard tap-water feel so much softer.

Maybe they're not bothered. Clearly they're not bothered by their laundry getting darked on (spider willies - if you know, you know).

Maybe they've got a life.

Maybe you should unclench.

My mum (90) wipes her washing line before pegging out to prevent dirty marks, don’t you?

She did grow up near a busy station in the days of steam so it was needed then,

I hang out the night before as I'm out early in the morning and it saves me ten extra minutes in bed!

How can you trust weather forecasts?

The forecast for today said no rain till the afternoon, so I did the laundry and put on the line. This morning the forecast states rain in 2 hours.

You have to get it on the line when you can, and hope for the best.

What a nasty post. I do this often as we have a lot going on between a terminally ill parent, an autistic child struggling with starting school and work and courses. I am not stupid, I am completing my masters performing well at work etc, just sometimes like others have pointed out I have more important things to worry about than if I have to do an extra wash.

Guilty as charged. If you have so much time on your hands please feel free to come and take my washing in for me.

Maybe other people's lives don't revolve around washing.

I've been known to peg my towels out deliberately so they get nice and soft in the rain (hard water area), but there's something that sends chills down my spine at the thought of them being darked on 🤣

I do this sometimes. It smells perfectly fresh and I've never seen dirty marks.

scalt, I can beat your grandma, OMG,talk about making me feel old! I'm almost 74, I had a mangle and then a burco boiler, and a spin dryer,before I got my first twin tub in the mid 70s. Three DKs before I got my first automatic washing machine. Mind you the spins were rubbish then, I got more water out with the mangle

We are forecast rain and thunderstorm altho the floor is wet from last night rain the sky looks like its clearing up! Guess who is gonna put this wash load on the line 🤪

Are you so bored this is a 'thing' for you?

probably dirty marks on the items where they rested on the line plus peg marks.

For a start, washing lines aren't dirty if you wipe them down before pegging out. All good housewives know this.

Secondly, many people including me take a chance in putting washing out and bring it in if it rains.

I live in the countryside so the air is clean. If it gets soaking wet, I just re-spin it and then dry it inside on a clothes horse.

😂

It won’t stink if it is out on a washing line. Damp washing starts to smell if it’s left in unventilated places.

I am one of those people you speak about OP. My washing has been known to be out over a couple of nights, I’d like to say because I’m hopeful the weather will change, but reality is I can’t be arsed or just forget. I’m sure my very perfect neighbour notes this every time, and I’m just glad I can make her feel a bit better about herself by witnessing this horrible trait of mine…..

Mine can often be out and get rained on. It’s fine doesn’t need re washing.
I think the whole it’ll smell and will need re washing came from the early part of the 20th century when rain was mucky and everyone was burning coal.

probably dirty marks on the items where they rested on the line plus peg marks.

Why is your line leaving dirty marks on your clothes?

This. You have way too much time on your hands op

Why would washing left in the rain smell? DH and DS regularly get themselves soaked in petrol / diesel / oily mechanicaly stuff…the only way to get rid of the smell is to hang outside and just leave there until the diesel smell is gone. Takes days sometimes! Unless your neighbours are also having bonfires, can’t see a smell issue.

Maybe go and get it in for them if it’s worrying you OP - neighbourly thing to do!