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!

I...don't care.

Is anyone else starting to sense the presence of some other kind of white powder?

Same. Can’t beat it.

If its cold outside it smells sour -like ozone
Makes me heave
Even if clothes are hung out on sunny days, I always TD for a few minutes to ensure they are properly dry to avoid ironing
In the past everything went into the warm airing cupboard to be sure they were properly dry
So many people smell of damp these days and harp on about never using a TD like its morally superior 🙄

You clearly do.

Why are you trying to convince us that you gag when someone in line dried clothes passes you, when everyone knows you don't?

I have standards and I also have very good manners and decent courtesy @PennyThought . Bad smells do make me want to gag, but I would never walk around making gag noises because of other people. I have, like most people, had to help others who have been sick, have found themselves in a difficult situation where they have for whatever reason soiled themselves or been bad smelling. I'm guessing you have never have to visit a friend or relative in a care home or hospital? However, I remember that we are all human and deeply flawed and that I am a grown up and even if my eyes are watering, I do not gag in front of another human because they smell unpleasant because that would be exceptionally rude.

Agreed. Or she needs to put in a cup of white vinegar with each wash.

Instead of rewashing have you tried a rinse and spin, I do this and it seems to refresh the wash.

I have zero interest in convincing anyone.

You seem to want to put me into that position because you lack the ability to think outside of your own experiences.

At this point, I think you want to be my friend and use my dryer.

If you apologise, I may let you, provided you don't enter my home in such a way that it elicits a gag reflex.

Potentiellement 😁. Who knew that there were people in this world that spend their days gagging at line dried clothes? The level of discernment in some folks' hooters is truly baffling.

Your problem is poor washing machine care @lilybit2025 because that does cause clothing to smell 'musty' or off due to a build up of bacteria in the drum and tubing which is absorbed by clothing during a wash. When I empty my machine it smells of nothing at all apart from a slight hint of scent beads and my washing whether dried indoors, outdoors or by dryer smells 'clean'.
When I have finished using my machine for the day I always dry the seals, door and dispenser drawer and then leave the door open a few inches so that it can air until next use. I use stain remover powder, pods, scent beads and liquid depending on what I'm washing and have no smells, mould or gunky build up.

You need to deep clean your machine and tubing and then maintain a cleaning regime every few months to keep it fresh.
All you need to do is buy a bottle of white vinegar (the clear stuff not the fish+chips stuff) and pour 75% into the drum and shut the door and then pour the remaining 25% into the dispenser drawer. Don't be put off by the vinegar smell because done properly your machine will definitely NOT smell of vinegar once you're finished!
Then run your machine on it's 90` cycle (or the hottest it does) empty. Then run a quick cold rinse with nothing in it - just water. When you open the door, you should smell nothing at all about from a clean type smell. Then thoroughly wipe the drum, seals and drawer and then you're good to go with a normal wash. If your machine is still a bit smelly then you'll need to repeat the deep clean again particularly if you've never done a deep clean before - it can take a bit of effort to get rid of bacterial build up. I always measure out liquid detergents appropriate to load as too much can also cause issues with clothes drying properly and only ever half a cup of scent beads max.

People often forget that the things that we use to clean other things do actually need to be cleaned themselves. White vinegar is very cheap and much less expensive than the cleaner products in the supermarket. I buy 3l bottles of white vinegar because when combined with other things like bicarb I can clean stains, plug holes, drains and more.
HTH x

Did I state that I overtly gagged at people or did you create that story just now?

No, I didn't make up any story, you said it yourself: "I gag when people stink and / or their clothing."

I am sure there was a similar argument where a poster claimed to gag (or at least notice) when someone was using scented sanitary protection. Mumsnetters truly are a gift that keeps giving

However, I never stated that I did this in front of them or in a way that drew their attention to a reflex.

So, as I said, you made that up.

You state that you have "courtesy" towards others, yet it's clearly lacking here, because you are making up stories and attempt to fit in with others who are known for their attempts at online bullying.

If only I could be as courteous as you @MargoLivebetter !

Here's what she said:

PennyThought · Today 05:51

I don't hang mine outside. I have hayfever/allergies, it smells like outside when it comes in, which I hate, it's stiff and also smells like damp. I can always tell when someone has air dried their clothes, either on the radiator or outside, because it smells like mildew when they walk past and it makes me gag!

Emphasis mine.

Obviously, she cannot always tell how someone who walks past has dried their clothes, obviously air dried clothes do not always smell like mildew and most obviously of all, she does not gag when someone in air dried clothes walks past.

I think it's just the smell that you don't like. I don't love the smell of dried outside clothes either but I've done a smell test with others (I know how to have a good time right?!) and it turns out that what everyone else thinks of as a lovely fresh outside dried smell I just think is a bit.. hollow? Can't describe it but like you I much prefer a tumble dry smell. I do still dry on the line though as it's better for the environment but I don't get it either. I don't think line dried clothing smells lovely and fresh.

I do not accept your interpretation of my intentions, but we shall agree to differ @PennyThought .

👌

Finally, through sarcasm, you show some understanding. Well done. 👋

Do a hot wash with just soda crystals, especially if you use gel pods and conditioner. You will very likely be amazed at the dirty grey foam that appears.

I was - and it took a second go for all the built-up gunk to disappear.

I now just use powder, no conditioner, and soda crystals in every wash.

Honestly, I'm actually genuinely a bit concerned by this point, not even joking. It's true we never know what's going on behind all those other screens and sometimes... stuff happens.

Sorry for my part in the derailment, everyone. Last time something like this happened, it was a thread about gardening.

Choose a nice day, peg items on line, they dry, you take them in.

Simple!

You need to run your washing machine on a boil wash with detergent but no clothes in it once a month or so, OP.

The smell of fresh washing from the line is one of life’s little pleasures!