Garden sail for drying washing outside in winter

[OhHeySis]

Like everyone else I’m trying to work out how to cut the electricity bill without hanging damp washing all over the inside of the house. I’d like to keep hanging the washing outside but obviously it’s the UK and, well, weather.

Has anyone tried those garden sails to keep the rain off their washing? We’ve got a sheltered corner of the garden and I’m thinking one of the sails at an angle to allow water runoff and a tall airer underneath, weighted to prevent it blowing over.

Madness? Worth a go? I’d like to know if other people do this before I make the investment in buying a £50 sail!

Yep totally fine if you get the right spot. I’ve lived off grid abroad (same climate as U.K.) and most people dry their washing outdoors year round on the stoop ( large outdoor porch).

@2emanwen Disnt know the name thank you! I’d love one but no outside buildings to house one. A car port or garage would be ideal (but we have street parking only).

Excellent. That’s good to hear.

Much healthier to dry laundry outside. I fear there’s going to be a lot of people exposing themselves to really poor indoor air quality this winter keeping windows closed and drying laundry inside. Warm, moist, stale indoor air is absolutely terrible for health.

I dry all my washing outside in winter. It usually works f

Phone gone bonkers. Usually works fine. In really rainy weather I bring it in and hang it over cupboards and radiators. I've never seen anyone doing that in IdealHomes but it does work.

Maybe I’m over thinking it and we just need to keep using the line and be quick to bring in if raining/check the forecast before going to work. It’s tricky, as we both do 12hr days Monday-Friday so once it’s out it’s staying out come rain or shine!

We built a lean to on the side of the house clear corrugated roof. A breeze blowing through and it works well. Son has just built one. They store logs and bikes underneath it's so useful and the clothes get dry most of the time.

OK so a bit of a mixed bag of opinions as to how well it might work. I agree that the sail might be a bit flimsy, so I will be brave and just use the line as normal rather than going straight to the tumble dryer as we did last year. If that works then I won’t bother with a cover over it.

We are in the South East of England and tend to avoid the minus temperatures so at least it won’t freeze on the line 😂

Example

This looks brilliant!

Sorry but what does their being renters have anything to do with anything??

Saves cutting the hedge too 😂😂

I read this as they couldn’t put up anything permanent or structural as they rented, so used a removable solution (the gazebo). I’m also really not willing to put anything permanent up, so I think that was the context.

I agree washing dried outside in windy conditions. Pretty well actually. Rain is another thing altogether though.

Ah i understand the renters point now

could you half tumble it then hang in house

Yes it does work - to a point.

You need to get a fully waterproof one (not all of them are), and make sure it is angled so water runs off, or you get a big puddle in the middle and it collapses under the weight.

Water can come in at the sides, so you can't use it on really wet windy days . but we found it helped , especially on the stop/start rainy days where in-between showers it dried quite well.

Clothes don't even dry in our un-heated by indoor utility room in winter. Or it takes days!
I don't think they'd dry at all outside in winter. Unless it's a sunny day.

I think as you're in the SE you should be ok hanging washing out most of the time @OhHeySis

We're in wet cold west of Scotland, a damp dreich winter is common here. Im considering either a heated airer or a small dehumidifier. The damp outside last for months here.

You can buy 'raincoats' for rotary lines.

Fascinated by people who haven't tried, but come on to say they don't think it would work, despite other people saying that they dry clothes outdoors all year round.

My parents are Highlands, I really appreciate the better winters down here; I remember the dreich days of my childhood well! 😁

Someone linked to this rotary-line cover the other day:

www.chimneysheep.co.uk/product/laundry-mac-outdoor-laundry-protector/

I hang laundry out all year round too. It often needs finishing off inside, but you get rid of useful amount of water outside.

As PP have said, it's the breeze what makes the difference. Standing it in a still, cold room means it won't dry.

My concern would be that if it’s in an alleyway and covered it’s not going to get much wind through it. A good breeze is definitely needed for drying in winter.

I’d just try to wait for dry spells I think.