Washing taking ages to dry outside

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I am trying to dry my clothes outside as much as possible. Today was a lovely day in London so I hung it out outside. It was outside for about six hours and then I took it in when it got dark. But despite the lovely day it was still very damp. Maybe because there wasn’t much wind today. But very disappointing to have it back inside with the dehumidifier on!

Mine is in the double digits downstairs in the middle of winter. That was when the heating had just clicked on in the morning. Upstairs warmer. Planning on not heating on weekday mornings this winter as we are then out all day anyway. A few degrees above freezing would have to be in a very poorly insulated house.

@Fufumcgoo microfiber towels are great

How would you dry washing if you didn't have a tumble dryer and had to keep the heating bill down in winter? It's just reality for many.

They are I agree, we have them for swimming lessons and the beach in summer. Unfortunately I absolutely hate how they stick to you when you dry with them so I just can't bring myself use them for general day to day showering. Might have to as it get colder though 😕

We dont have a tumble drier and havent had our heating on yet save for last Sunday morning for an hour

It hangs in a 'utility room' (side return with a roof)

OH says its not dry today though so thats not good.

@Fufumcgoo I feel the same about microfibre towels. I have a cottonish one. Hamam? (sp) towel. Dries pretty quick.

I dry myself with a facecloth before finishing off with a normal towel. The facecloth removes 90% of the water.

It is November, you need to have the washing in by 3 or it will get damp again

We don't have anything like that, extra spin, outside early, inside to finish is the only option. It wouldn't be dry in a day midwinter like that but by then the heating will be on a bit. I don't understand posters who disbelieve anything outside their own reality.

I don't like microfibre either, only use them for camping. We do have nice small thin cheap towels so they take up minimum space in the machine and dry quickly.

I don't have a tumble drier and we're 2 adults, one teen and a teen sized tween. I also live in the west coast of Scotland where it has rained constantly since the start of October this year.

Winter drying outside is almost impossible without a decent breeze. If your washing isn't moving it won't dry. DH put two loads out today. School shirts, sports wear are dry. Jeans, towel and cotton jumpers still as damp as when they went out. There's not much breeze now. About to take it all in to finish inside on there airers, one of which is heated.

My whole life revolves around bloody washing.

@soupmaker I'm surprised you have cotton jumpers in those conditions! We almost exclusively wear wool (ebay) or I wear my work fleece now. The wool jumpers rarely need washing. I am using one pair of jeans when I might get muddy, and another when I won't, so these are rarely washed either.

You definitely need a windy day - the air is so damp that a sunny, still day makes very little difference. I don't put mine out unless it's predicted to be above 11mph winds

If the pavement is dry then your washing will dry, my gran told me that years ago and I’ve found it to be true.

I agree I am trying to do similar and managed to get loads of sheets dry knowing it was dry, windy and relatively mild on Friday.

Bloody DH finds wool too itchy and doesn't like fleece, hence cotton. I wash his jumpers and cardigans once they walk themselves to the machine! Rest of the house wears fleece and wool.

Does running a dehumidifier really cost that much less than a tumble dryer?

Not all microfiber are the same. Decathlon ones are a game changer. They do a fluffy type that is more comfy than a traditional towel and two non fluffy type that are better than any I have tried. I use them swimming and persuaded DP and DC to try them for home use. Bought the large ones. They are really surprised at how good they are.

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/swimming-ultra-soft-microfibre-towel-size-xl-110-x-175-cm/_/R-p-300589?mc=8584430
This is the fluffy one

Mine didn't dry either but at least it's fresher itms

Just brought mine in and it's still damp 😠 tumble drier it is then

Same here. I stuck all mine out today and it's almost as wet as when it went out! The best drying conditions are sunny and breezy. We have hardly any drying space in the house, no tumble dryer and a north-facing garden so I hate this time of year.

It will be, its 5.30pm in November. The sun's been set since 4.10pm.

If its a good drying day (wind speed expected over 10mph, humidity 50% or lower and no rain forecast) it still needs to be in by 2pm to have any success at all.

That’s not true - I often hang mine out at lunchtime during my break and bring it in late afternoon before the sun sets, and if it’s a dry breezy day it will dry (mostly, given it’s winter) well after 2. Have done so in this corner of Scotland for 25 years.

I find that at this time of year my washing doesn't dry very well outside. It is usually quite damp in winter where I live, so even if it isn't raining or misty the air is still damp.