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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do you hang your undies on the washing line?

207 replies

sweetpickle2 · 12/08/2026 11:17

Just that really.

I had a friend round for a cup of tea and as I was hanging up my washing she was horrified I was putting up my undies (just basic M&S black knickers, nothing out of the ordinary!) and said she always hangs her delicates inside as she "doesn't think her neighbours want to see that".

Am I the weird one??

OP posts:
KermitTheToad · 12/08/2026 11:58

I once looked out the window and saw my neighbours smalls on the line. I was staggered , I called my DH, DC, DCat and extended family to say how shocked I was that the Jones's wore underwear.🤣🤣🤣

LittleGreenShoots · 12/08/2026 11:59

I hang everything out- even my period undies (not that they'd probably realise that's what they are)

whirlyhead · 12/08/2026 12:00

Not only do I hang mine out but washing day is when the gardeners are here and they have to mow under the washing line. I'm pretty sure my good looking 30 year old gardener has been whacked on the head numerous times by my knickers and bras. He's still talking to me so I'm not worried.

7238SM · 12/08/2026 12:01

I grew up with a circular washing line and the knickers and bras went on the inner part then clothes, towels, sheets on the outer part to obscure them. Also, the inner part of the line was smaller, so suitable for 'smalls'.

I have a line which folds flat against the wall but do the same. Intimates against the wall and larger items on the outside- although the neighbours would have to look out their upstairs widows to see my line.

managingexpectations · 12/08/2026 12:01

I hang everything out. I have a smaller section of line that I usually use for pants, socks and bras the only issue is that if I’m out and get a parcel the delivery person will usually put it in my shed and they’ll get a face full of pants! At least they’re clean!
I couldn’t care of neighbours see my underwear. We all wear it and it’s just black thongs it’s not crotchless leather and lace numbers.

Shopsrshut23 · 12/08/2026 12:02

Well, we have a whirligig and mine and my 3 daughters' are proudly hung on the sides off one of those oval mini peg hangers to save space. However, I do tend to hang hubby's holey old pants on the short lines at the back, with tee shirts obscuring the view 😉

giddyboo · 12/08/2026 12:03

No.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 12/08/2026 12:04

Inside on a French wooden hanger in lean to.

BansheeOfTheSouth · 12/08/2026 12:05

FallenNight · 12/08/2026 11:28

Can you tell me more about managing the devil please? I though salt on the threshold was all that was needed to keep him at bay.

Let him in, invite him to dinner. He makes an excellent flambè.

Salt only works on demons and ghosts. Not angels.

I hang everything out, knickers, bras, bikinis, reusable pads. Pretty sure next door to one side doesn't wear any of those things, but I've brought his laundry in while he was at work and it poured down. He would do the same for me. N.B. he's not just a random neighbour, we've known each other since we were kids and I dated his brother.

Other side neighbour hangs everything out too. We are adults, we know people wear underwear.

sweetpickle2 · 12/08/2026 12:05

Can the people who don't hang theirs outside explain why??

OP posts:
Optimisticdramalarma · 12/08/2026 12:06

I hang mine out and since my neighbour (queen bee type who thinks she's the boss of the street) had a go at me because her 'brother' (he's her fella but the benefit office must never find that fact out) had noticed and felt he didn't want to see my granny pants,so she saw fit to scream at me over it,(she used the words ,'they are turning him on')I hang them out with pride and a massive smile (they watch every move i make)

I used to hang them on one of those hanger thingys but I now move them around on the line for maximum benefit

Winds her up but there's not a lot she can do about it

(If he really gets turned on by my massive work knickers,there is something seriously wrong with him)

RocketPanda · 12/08/2026 12:08

I put mine on the socktopus and couldn't care less who would bother looking.

Epoisses · 12/08/2026 12:09

My black stretchy boxers are currently swaying in the breeze

TheFairyCaravan · 12/08/2026 12:10

Mine go on the line. I don’t give a shit who sees them, tbh.

Tiddlywinks63 · 12/08/2026 12:11

I’m too old to give a toss at what the neighbours think about my underwear thankfully!

Thisismyfinesthour · 12/08/2026 12:11

I give those gussets a good airing too!😄I have elderly neighbours so it probably gives them something to talk about, who cares what they think? My scanty lacy pieces are washed and dried on the line along with my other washing, it's not as if it is causing anyone any harm.

Laurmolonlabe · 12/08/2026 12:12

I'd put my 1860's corset out- the neighbours would definitely like to see that1

DuckWrap · 12/08/2026 12:13

Ifailed · 12/08/2026 11:35

Does she have to stand still until they are dry?

😂😂

MNLurker1345 · 12/08/2026 12:14

Washing out on the line, underwear on the rack in the utility room.

DuckWrap · 12/08/2026 12:20

Why does anyone think neighbours will even care? It’s bonkers.

RaraRachael · 12/08/2026 12:21

No I don't because we have communal washing lines.

MNLurker1345 · 12/08/2026 12:24

sweetpickle2 · 12/08/2026 12:05

Can the people who don't hang theirs outside explain why??

I wear my underwear on the inside and so hang inside.

Seriously, I do it because of modesty. Nothing to do with who is or isn’t going to see it. My garden isn’t overlooked, so for my own sense of modesty.

CountessBinface · 12/08/2026 12:26

FallenNight · 12/08/2026 11:28

Can you tell me more about managing the devil please? I though salt on the threshold was all that was needed to keep him at bay.

Nowadays he gets in through t'internet.

carbuncleonapigsposterior · 12/08/2026 12:27

I mean don't look! if anyone finds underwear hanging on the line disturbing, are my thoughts. However, whilst I do hang them out, I tend to put them in the inner part of the whirlygig so they're obscured, in deference to neigbours who could potentially become disturbed, in a, what's seen can't be unseen sort of a way. I feel I wouldn't want any possible repercussions as to altering their state of mind in a negative way in their viewing my bra and pants and husband's boxers on my conscience.

RowsOfFlowers · 12/08/2026 12:27

Yeah I hang them out but I do tend to put them on the line at the back so they’re concealed by other garments!