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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I dry my laundry in my garden and my neighbour is really unhappy about it

703 replies

WashingWoes · 20/06/2025 13:33

I really don’t think I’m in the wrong here but keen for opinions which I will take onboard if I come off as unreasonable.
I live in an end-terrace house. Neighbour is attached to me. I peg my washing out to dry on good days. We are a family of four, lots of laundry and I much prefer to peg out than use the (expensive and environmentally unfriendly) drier. My neighbour HATES me for drying my laundry in my garden. Relentless comments about how she can’t enjoy looking at her garden from her bedroom window because she can see my (clean) laundry. About how it’s spoiling her enjoyment of her garden. Why can’t I just use the drier, for everyone’s benefit (not mine, see: bills; climate change…). It’s bad manners to dry ‘smalls’ outside - her husband might see my ‘undergarments’ … honestly it’s relentless. I recently received a birthday card from them (very kind, and appreciated) which said ‘Happy Birthday WashingWoes, we really love seeing your washing on the line, have a lovely birthday’. Please reassure me that I’m normal and neighbours are barmy?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
22
BuildbyNumbere · 20/06/2025 17:17

She’s nuts.
Much better being able to get washing dried outside!

BuildbyNumbere · 20/06/2025 17:17

LindorDoubleChoc · 20/06/2025 15:18

Unbelievable! She hates seeing your washing on the line but sends you a birthday card with "we love seeing your washing on the line" written in it. Just what sort of a merry dance is this?

Sarcasm?!?

rubicustellitall · 20/06/2025 17:18

so so easy to stop her moaning..

  1. Good morning neighbour bright n breezy hanging out the washing

  2. Now turn and stare and repeat..That didnt require an answer and before you start today shut the fuck up and get on your way I am so not in the mood for you today ..ok?

There you go OP do it once thats all you need ..
Now go get that final spin on!! x

Bryonyberries · 20/06/2025 17:19

Everyone I know hangs out washing in the summer! It means we have nice weather and part of the summer scene - like the sound of lawn mowers.

Hf85 · 20/06/2025 17:19

Absolutely ridiculous and I would tell her so for sure!

BuildbyNumbere · 20/06/2025 17:20

babyproblems · 20/06/2025 16:01

Erm I am well aware I’m really in the minority here and also nuts but I don’t want to see my neighbours undies outside the window either 😂 for some context - we’ve spent years renovating a really old terraced house into something amazing and I’ll be really honest - and probably cause great offence - by saying our neighbours house is in a bit of a state. Their laundry outside doesn’t help and is not inkeeping with the rest of the row of houses which have been renovated in the last few years. The area has been gentrified a bit to be honest and when other houses have updated the architecture and materials I do think you have a responsibility to upkeep the look / feel of your neighbourhood and that does mean having good standards. Our council has also done a lot of work to improve the ‘feel’ and look of the area which was quite tatty in parts. I suppose I feel it’s everyone’s obligation to keep the area nice and I don’t think loads of washing hanging out is doing that. Occasionally I say fine but not every day and not all your clothing. I do sometimes dry washing outside on a sunny day but it is deliberately hidden from view of the main road nearby and also we have installed a large high gate that stops the back patio area being visible to the neighbouring terrace. If you had more space I think it’s acceptable but if your row of houses is terraced as is mine, I think you should try to be discreet about laundry and bins. Otherwise it ends up looking rough tbh.

Climb off your high “clothes” horse.
How ridiculous.
The most stupid point of view I have ever heard.

vodkaredbullgirl · 20/06/2025 17:20

I hope no one does washing on a Sunday 🤣

WonderingWanda · 20/06/2025 17:20

That is insane. I love the sight of washing billowing on a line and the smell of line dried washing is one of my absolute favourite smells. I do have a tumble which I use as a last resort because we can't always get things dry in time (disorganised I guess) also I can't seem to avoid crunchy towels unless I tumble them so if anyone has an tips for soft line dried towels please share them.

I've seen a meme somewhere of someone's washing spelling out twat with the shadow.....I'd be tempted to try that if I were you 😂

Rosalind1971 · 20/06/2025 17:21

My husband reckons the use of tumble dryers should be banned in the summer , why the hell would she use a dryer with the cost of leccy !! She’s a raving lunatic. Info around my house in this weather looking for things to wash and hang out

monkeysox · 20/06/2025 17:21

WashingWoes · 20/06/2025 13:33

I really don’t think I’m in the wrong here but keen for opinions which I will take onboard if I come off as unreasonable.
I live in an end-terrace house. Neighbour is attached to me. I peg my washing out to dry on good days. We are a family of four, lots of laundry and I much prefer to peg out than use the (expensive and environmentally unfriendly) drier. My neighbour HATES me for drying my laundry in my garden. Relentless comments about how she can’t enjoy looking at her garden from her bedroom window because she can see my (clean) laundry. About how it’s spoiling her enjoyment of her garden. Why can’t I just use the drier, for everyone’s benefit (not mine, see: bills; climate change…). It’s bad manners to dry ‘smalls’ outside - her husband might see my ‘undergarments’ … honestly it’s relentless. I recently received a birthday card from them (very kind, and appreciated) which said ‘Happy Birthday WashingWoes, we really love seeing your washing on the line, have a lovely birthday’. Please reassure me that I’m normal and neighbours are barmy?

Buy some peep hole bras and open crotch panties and pop them out. Silly cow. Yanbu

vodkaredbullgirl · 20/06/2025 17:21

Love a scratchy towel.

BuildbyNumbere · 20/06/2025 17:22

Sthoremouse · 20/06/2025 16:28

Who the fuck voted YABU?!

YANBU op, I'd hang more washing out to deliberately annoy her, maybe get one of those tacky shower curtains people use in their gardens and a few wind chimes.

The idiot on here that wrote a paragraph about keeping up the standards in her neighbourhood

Cherrypies · 20/06/2025 17:22

HelplessSoul · 20/06/2025 17:15

The language is English and permitted.

No one can help you if you choose to take umbrage with it.

Show quote history

Dont recall asking for your help at all.
Why would I from such a classy person?

TinyFlamingo · 20/06/2025 17:22

Does she just sit in her bedroom all day 😭😜🙈

PyongyangKipperbang · 20/06/2025 17:23

Cherrypies · 20/06/2025 17:22

Dont recall asking for your help at all.
Why would I from such a classy person?

Show quote history

ODFOD

vodkaredbullgirl · 20/06/2025 17:23

BuildbyNumbere · 20/06/2025 17:22

The idiot on here that wrote a paragraph about keeping up the standards in her neighbourhood

Show quote history

I was thinking that too 😆

emilymini97 · 20/06/2025 17:23

Buy a tonne of underwear, peg it all the way along the line. Leave it out as long as it’s sunny 🤣

Gardenbird123 · 20/06/2025 17:23

She's mad. Just say, loads of washing, can't afford to use the dryer when sunshine is free.

BexAubs20 · 20/06/2025 17:23

Yeah I’d flat out tell her to F off. If she keeps pestering you, report her to the council/ police for harassment. You have a right to enjoy your home in peace and privacy

HelplessSoul · 20/06/2025 17:24

Cherrypies · 20/06/2025 17:22

Dont recall asking for your help at all.
Why would I from such a classy person?

Show quote history

Reading comprehension clearly isnt your forte is it?

You might want to read my post again. I didnt offer you anything, much less offer you help of any sort. 🙄🤦‍♂️

DangerousAlchemy · 20/06/2025 17:24

SuperTrooper14 · 20/06/2025 13:46

Spell out what you really think of her...

oh I laughed out loud at this! Deffo do this OP 🤣👏

Michele09 · 20/06/2025 17:24

Rosalind1971 · 20/06/2025 17:21

My husband reckons the use of tumble dryers should be banned in the summer , why the hell would she use a dryer with the cost of leccy !! She’s a raving lunatic. Info around my house in this weather looking for things to wash and hang out

We do for towels as they come out soft not scratchy. Best on a sunny day as the electricity is free from the solar panels.

Cherrypies · 20/06/2025 17:25

HoldmecloseTonyDanza · 20/06/2025 17:14

MN is always like this. You can swear as much as you like!

We're all adults after all!

Edited
Show quote history

Adults!
More like a secondary school playground, trying to look clever, and not succeeding

MotherGothel18 · 20/06/2025 17:25

Tell her once she starts paying your electric bills then you will start using your tumble dryer and stop hanging your washing on your line 😂 Some people are absolutely crackers aren’t they 🤦🏼‍♀️