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!

Its the smell of Ozone
Some people love it some hate it
It makes me feel sick, its a sharp sour smell
Others think its the smell of fresh air

Mildew is much less likely on outdoor-dried clothes. Sunlight and freely circulating air see to that. Indoor dried clothes are much more prone to mould. I'm not sure what you're smelling, but it isn't mildew.

This. It's not mildew you can smell.

I don’t think you know what mildew smells like.

I hang mine outside all year round weather permitting.
I love the smell of fresh air in my newly laundered clothes and sheets. I never have this damp smell you’re talking about.
It must be something you are doing if your clothes smell damp even after being out in the sun. Are you using decent washing powder? Are you hanging your clothes up as soon as the wash has finished? Leaving wet clothes in the washing machine for a long time leaves a damp smell on them.

My allergies don’t allow for hanging the washing outside I’m afraid. Then Mrs skinny legs walking there and me taking it inside makes me shudder.

Mine smells better dried outside than in the dryer and is much more likely to be slightly damp still and needs airing. On the line it's more a case of taking it in when it is just dry so it doesn't end up crispy! Definitely not damp.

I use tabs & my washing smells 'fresh'

I think it has more to do with your DH bunging everything in together & overloading the machine.

Yes, I've always been baffled by the seemingly majority-held opinion that outside line-dried clothes smell fabulous. I don't like the smell - I much prefer the smell of clothes that have been dried inside a warm house (I hardly ever use the tumbler).

I don't think I have an unusual taste in smells either... I love all the traditional ones - freshly cut grass, basil, frying garlic etc. Ooh, I don't like the smell when it's just rained though (I know a lot of people do). I think it smells oily somehow. Maybe this is linked to the washing thing?

Maybe you are not using enough washing powder or are using a liquid detergent instead.

Maybe you’re bringing in the washing too early.

Maybe if it rains and you bring in the washing damp, you’re not spreading the clothes inside to dry properly.

There will definitely be a reason.

My mum swears by bringing in the washing before sundown. The air starts to get damp after that.

Maybe bring in the washing around 6pm.

I don't like the smell of line dried things, but I wouldn't describe it as damp or musty.

I also don't like the smell of freshly cut grass, pollen/ trees and freshly baked bread though. So I'm clearly a little odd.

Sounds like you aren’t using the correct dose of washing powder, and keeping on top of washing machine maintenance. You also need to remove from the line before it starts to get damp again.

Mine never smells damp? No idea what you are talking about.

🙄😳😵‍💫😵‍💫🙇🏻‍♀️

I do think there's a slight tendency to get a little bit over-excited about the smell of line-dried clothes on this website, much as I personally do like that smell too. But wouldn't describe it as divine or amazing or whatever.

however, the only reason clothes would smell damp is that they are damp: the question here is whether they are dry or not. Outside won't make them damp (or make them smell of damp), but it might not always dry them fully.

My mums generation pegged washing outside because they did not have tumble dryers/heated airers and so on. To me it is the best way and obviously free. I do think we are now expecting our washing to smell differently to the 'outdoors' - smelling of perfumed washing powders and fabric softeners.

People who think outdoor-dried washing smells of mildew or damp or otherwise unpleasant must be super-smellers, or be being dramatic for the sake of it.
I hate the smell of clothes that haven't dried properly, but have never experienced it from outdoor-dried washing.

Why the faces?
Its actually true, its a fresh scent at lower concentrations and smells metallic or sour at higher concentrations
Some people have a strong aversion to it

Yes Im a super smeller
Its not fun

I have to say I am nostalgic, reading this, for an old-fashioned airing cupboard. I think it was the final touch of magic and made for really nice-smelling clothes. Our family cat used to sleep in ours too

No, I can imagine it must be quite overwhelming.

I wish we had one, I hear they were excellent for drying flowers and herbs.

Did that not just result in everything covered in cat hair and smelling of cat? Now that's a smell I can't stand, although not as bad as dog.

My mum used to keep an old towel in there for her. Amazingly, and somewhat against usual cat behaviour, she did actually sleep on it and not on anybody's best sweaters I certainly don't remember anything smelling of cat either, but then again I don't think cats smell per se, just litter trays.

I have to dry my clothes inside as my lease prevents outside drying but I miss it
so much quicker outside