People who hang out washing in heavy rain

[Klonc]

Why do people insist on putting out washing when having heavy rain?

If out all day, don’t do it. If in, take it in as soon as it rains!

Washing stinks when out in the rain. Or when is stuck in the washing machine - as parents’ washing machine on Friday. It didn’t drain - the pump has gone. I took the load home with me and washed it as stank. Not strong, but enough to feel conscious about it.

Soft water?

This!

Even in my hs2 dust hovel, washing doesn't smell if it's been dried properly.

Not so. I’ve mentioned my former neighbour on here before. Every morning at 7, out she would come and peg the washing out no matter what the weather, year-round. Rain, hail, snow, wind, sun, cloud - out it went. She would hang it out even if she had to wear a raincoat while doing it. Even if it was belting down.

I distinctly remember this.

When I was little, my mum put some nappies out to bleach in the sun. She had an area that was hidden from the neighbours so used to put underwear etc there. Obviously she put the stained nappies there.

It rained and the neighbours took in her washing. They handed it back "with a look" and had put the nappies on top showing the stains. My mum was mortified! 😂

Im glad my neighbours don't take my washing in! I don't need my washing judging.

I can imagine if you live in the middle of a city etc that if your clothes get rained on, they will need rewashing.

I live in east London so by the time it gets to us, the rain has blown right across the city. Our rain does not smell and I've never had to rewash.

Are you talking about in the UK? Where the weather forecast says glorious weather but then is pisses down all day? Or when it's forecast for torrential and you've wore all your winter clothes in preparation, not done a load, and then the sun is cracking the pavement?

How anyone manages to get washing done at all is still a mystery to me.

When my friend was very depressed, she'd leave washing out of it started to rain, because the thought of taking it in and putting it out again was one thing too many.

I had a neighbour like that. She once left her washing out for two weeks until another neighbour kindly told her to take it in. This is unusual though rather than just leaving it out because it got rained on.

That's good. I just always imagined the rain would bring down any dust etc in the air.

I'm not in the countryside, I just live in a very quiet area away from main roads.

Weve just put out a dry sheet and dry duvet cover, it needs bleaching in sunlight. They'll be there for a few days at least, possibly more depending on how much light we get this week.

I also dont understand OPs claim that rain makes washing smelly! If it gets wet again, it just drys again once the rain stops. Nice and fresh.

Her neighbour told her to take it in? I hope it was done from a supportive view as in "can I help with your washing?".

Yes - I do this too
plus the towels / bed linen also smell ‘rain sweet’

Thanks for that info !

Contrary to what a lot of people are saying, I actually put a load of washing on the line yesterday afternoon and then went out, knowing that it was due to rain a bit. Then I left the whole lot out there to be darked on. It was only dog towels and they are mostly dry by now 😁

If my nighbour kindly told me to take my washing in I would not so kindly tell them bugger off

Yes. That's why I used the word kindly.

Honestly, she said it nicely in a supportive way. Neighbours also helped her tidy her garden and sort out her recycling.

Me too Id be furious

Ooh ok that's fine then , I thought you meant they were having a go at her laziness.

Not at all. We were a very supportive community and still are but with mostly different people.

If you did that then people would probably stop trying to help you then. Your choice. It was all done in a supportive way.

Actually you've reminded me of once when it would have need rewashing - there had been some sort of dust storm in North Africa that had blown over and when it rained everything was coated in fine red dust. So you're kind of right but it doesn't seem to be a problem at a local level. I suppose if the weather had been very still and very dry for a long time there might be some noticeable build up of dust but it would be very bad luck in those circumstances to get caught with washing out when the longed-for rain finally arrived.

Our neighbour put their washing out in the morning and leaves it, rain, frost, whatever, very odd and a source of amusement for DH & me!

(They’re retired and fit/well so no reason to do so that I can see)

i put mine on the line before 8 this morning! <<smug>>

I sometimes hang out waning if it’s raining or going to rain but it’s coming out nice after with enough time to dry and I won’t be able to hang it out at the point. I’ve done this for years and everything dries, nothing ever smells and I don’t have to rewash.

If you’re not wearing it, don’t worry about it.