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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Hang out your washing at night

27 replies

vintageteacups · 03/06/2011 00:37

If you find it tricky getting all your washing done before it creates a mountain, do a load last thing after tea during the warmer months and hang it out over night. It'll be almost dry by 9am so you can take it in and then get the next lot out.

This has saved me so much time - my washing machine does't have a quick wash at 40 so it's really annoying having to wait 2 hours for a load to do. Hanging a load over night saves loads of time.

OP posts:
SoloIsAHotCougar · 03/06/2011 00:39

I do this too (but hang it over an airer indoors) and then put the next load on a 9 hour delay to come on in the morning.

reddaisy · 03/06/2011 00:41

I thought about this today as I have hardly any time in the morning to hang out the washing before work and my machine has a long cycle too. But thought it wouldn't be a good idea but couldn't think why?! Maybe I will try it now!

Original poster
vintageteacups · 03/06/2011 00:43

I've also said this before but if you put your whites out when there's a full moon (or even any moonif it's a clear night) it's supposed to make them much brighter.

My friend told me that and I've read it since. Seems to work a treat but don't know why.

OP posts:
SingingSands · 03/06/2011 00:43

But only if you know it's going to be a dry night, and that the birds are not going to crap all over it at the crack of dawn! And don't even get me started on the spiders and cobwebs...shudder!

However, all that said, DH hung a load out at 8pm and it IS forecast to be dry tonight so it should be fine - it's all his own clothes so if there are any spiders or bird crappings on it, I don't have to care!

VforViennetta · 03/06/2011 00:49

I do this often, hang out a load in the evening and have a washer full to hang out in the morning. I find full on sunlight to get lots of stains out, especially on whites.

But then again I'm a slattern and often have about 10 loads to do till it's clear, I can't remember the last time I had no washing.

I did think the sunlight thing was a myth, but no it really does work, only for organic stains though, does bollock all for pen.

VforViennetta · 03/06/2011 00:51

Oh hell singing, I went out to get the washing in awhile ago and ended up with a massive pale gross spider in my hand after taking a sheet off the line, I was literally shuddering for days.

BooyHoo · 03/06/2011 00:52

i do this atm. i got way behind so have a backlog and am catching up by hanging one in teh morning and one in teh evening.

SingingSands · 03/06/2011 00:53

I'm shuddering now, just reading that!

LordOfTheFlies · 03/06/2011 18:35

Eurgh no. I hate brining it in at evening( leave it out as long as possible)
Have to shake it in case there are moths,they give me the vapours.Yuk Yuk

ragged · 03/06/2011 18:44

Doesn't work where we live!

needsatrim · 03/06/2011 18:47

Last time I did that all our jeans and best shirts were knicked.
We have since moved areas, nevertheless would be cautious in future.

mummakaz · 05/06/2011 19:41

I have left the washing out over night but it was covered in spiders and webs so won't do it now :(

crispyambulance · 05/06/2011 23:23

a full moon makes whites brighter? Grin

i leave washing out all night as it catches the sun first thing, Shock at neighbours nicking it

Original poster
vintageteacups · 05/06/2011 23:35

I know the full moon thing sounds a bit Hmm but it wasn't me who said it - it was my friend and my nan!

OP posts:
crispyambulance · 05/06/2011 23:39

Grin i'll try it

thekidsrule · 06/06/2011 12:10

do this all the time,i am not a morning person and the thought of hanging washing out first thing fills me with dread

so much easier though my neighbour keeps on about it gets damp,no its damp when washed then dries when out but he dosent get it

Thornelius · 08/06/2011 13:38

Someone said it was common to leave washing out over night! sod what other people think, if your washing needs drying then what else can you do, My machine is on all day everyday and I leave it out over night!
I think my neighbours must be nudists as they never hang washing out, day or night! haha

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 09/06/2011 17:59

I often do this - the mornings are far too chaotic. Dry stuff comes in when I get back from work and a new load goes out, if there is one.

Actually I'm luing through my teeth. DP often does this - laundry is his job Grin

SuePurblybilt · 09/06/2011 18:01

I can't see moonlight making much difference. Perhaps more likely there will be a frost/lower temperature on clear moonlit nights - frost and cold very good for whites. As is sunlight.

Still you never know - it could be the pixies Grin

bitsnbobs · 10/06/2011 15:41

I would do this but had an incident with a stray cat peeing on my bath towels so never again!

YankNCock · 10/06/2011 15:44

Is it only me that finds that the washing smells funny after being out all night? I've only ever done it by accident.

Mind you, I lived down in that London before. Perhaps oop norf my washing wouldn't get the narsty smell hanging out overnight.

Moot point anyway, it keeps sodding raining.

IslaValargeone · 10/06/2011 15:47

I have only ever done this by mistake, and found it has little night crawlie creatures on it ugh.

Meglet · 10/06/2011 15:48

I put mine out at night even if it rains. Much nicer than tripping over the clothes airer all the time.

LoveBeingAbleToNamechange · 10/06/2011 15:59

No can't leave it out all night it smells bad when you bring it on!

bronze · 10/06/2011 16:03

I do this all the time. That way I can hang it straight from the machine. I hang some out during the day too. Just do a lot of washing at the moment.
Never had insects in my wash and had my first and only bird crap last week. That could happen during the day too