Why do you hang your washing outside when it always ends up smelling like damp?

[lilybit2025]

Apart from the obvious cost savings compared to using a tumble dryer, I don’t understand why people hang their washing outside because no matter what I do, mine always ends up smelling damp and completely unpleasant!

Yes! That's the acidic smell I mean.

And it's not just my washing (so not because I'm doing something 'wrong'), it's all line dried washing over every smelled, unless it's heavily perfumed with detergent smells.

I also only use powder and no softener as I don't like artificial smells either!

This thread has revealed to me that I'm probably a super smeller.

Mine always smells like outdoor and sunshine. Nothing beats the smell. I don’t understand why yours doesn’t smell like that?

Mine smells amazing when dried outside! Fresh, floral, just lovely!

I have horrific hay fever but hanging them out on the line doesn't make it any worse for me, i spend my life outdoors anyway

Always hang outside, never smells damp.

Are you bringing it in before it is fully dry? As that is very strange, or is there an unpleasant odour outside / neighbours smoke / nearby factories?

You must be doing something wrong, mine never smells damp it’s lovely and fresh. It will smell damp if it’s not fully dry before you put it away.

Yes I get this with some things but not others so it's not the washing machine. Usually sheets. It's very odd.

Mine goes out whenever possible and it always smells lovely and fresh. As long as it is dry when you bring it is it won’t smell damp

This has to be a joke? Surely this is not real!

I live right with a sea breeze, never had damp smelling laundry unless I’ve put it away damp! If in doubt throw in the dryer for a bit.

You have a washing machine problem I think. Clean washing shouldn’t smell like that, especially when it’s been hung outside

Hang it out on a warm breezy day

Line dried washing smell divine. Could be an issue with your washing machine

Don't know how you hang your washing..but you aren't doing it right.
Mine never snells damp. It snells wonderful.

My washing smells fresh after hanging outside. If its damp when you bring it in, then you should air it on an Airer overnight

Mine always smells gorgeous after drying outside. It’s drying inside that creates smells of damp here. I think you must have an issue with your washing machine.

I've never had this in the many years I've hung my washing out. It always smells of fresh air. You're obviously doing something wrong! Nothing nicer than line dried laundry.

There's something wrong with your washing machine or the area you live in

Mine smells lovely off the line. You need to do a towel wash weekly at 60° to prevent washing machine smelling.

Because my washing doesn't smell of damp, it smells beautifully fresh. I think you must have a problem with your machine not rinsing properly.

I literally live next to an airport in a big city and my washing still smells beautiful after hanging outside.

Mine always smells clean and fresh when hung outside, I even hang stuff out in winter if the weather is dry and windy (doesn't always dry totally but needs less time in the tumble dryer)

Our washing only smells damp if it's left in the washing machine to sit for a while before hanging, or if it's hung indoors and the house is cold. We don't have a tumble drier.

Love the smell of washing when it's been on the line. I mainly use fragrance free detergent because I hate the artificial chemical smell of many washing detergents.
It I ly smells funky if I don't hang it out soon enough, so I try and only put it on when I can hang it out or hang it up inside
Don't like the smell of tumble dried clothes so try and avoid tumble seying

I can’t stand how my washing smells when it’s been outside. It loses the laundry smell and smells gross (not damp though). I don’t get it when people say they love the smell!