Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

How many loads of washing can you hang to dry at once?

38 replies

thelongroad · 17/04/2023 12:22

Just that really.

Was reading the thread a while back where the OP's DH thought he was being helpful by doing back to back washes without a thought for how or where they'd be hung up to dry, and everything ended up sitting wet in the baskets for days and having to be re-washed.

I don't have any outside space to hang anything out, but we do have a cellar/laundry room, so I can easily hang up 2 full loads, and if necessary one more (but the extra airer is then totally in the way and annoys me so I tend not to do that).

I tend to just do it one by one though, so wash a load, quick tumble to get rid of creases and cat hairsGrin, then hang up to dry. Wait until I take that one off before doing the next one.

OP posts:
shutthewindownow · 17/04/2023 12:25

Depends how much space you have ??

PuttingDownRoots · 17/04/2023 12:27

Depending on whats been washed, 2-4 on the rotary line (towels take up less space than my preteens clothes) plus a further load on a clothes airer.

On a very sunny day mid summer, I can be then be taking washing in as it dries while other stuff is washing so theoretically another couple of loads (they take 40mins). But I rarely have the motivation!

Fantina · 17/04/2023 12:27

Three on the line. I have extra retractable lines out in just for this purpose. There’s no garden left if I do it but it’s worth it to clear the backlog if I have a dry day.

Pancakepipsqueak · 17/04/2023 12:31

I can hang 3 ish on the line outside. Inside drying I can do 1 clothes and 1 bedding or towels but tend not to as I hate clothes drying inside and the space it takes up!

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 17/04/2023 12:34

2 outside and 2.5 inside. But depends on the weather obvs. Since having my second child we bought more airers as that was the limiting factor in doing laundry, we have 4 of them now!

TheFlis12345 · 17/04/2023 12:36

2 loads on the line and one on the airer. Plus I have 2 of those sock hanger things.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 17/04/2023 12:36

A 'quick tumble'? If you can afford a tumbledryer why are you worrying about hanging out wet clothes in the cellar?

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 17/04/2023 12:38

If hanging up inside I now refuse to have more than one load drying at a time. I just hate the thought of that much moisture hanging about in the air inside so just one load at a time and wait. If just finishing off inside after a good outside blow - still aim for one only ie one lot on the line and one lot just finishing off inside. I have a load of whites that’s practically dry from yesterday and today’s line-full will join them later. But really damp stuff eughh. Just no. I also give the inside onlies an extra spin too. Vary rare though as I live with ddog only and I’m obsessed with line drying, weather and humidity! I also only work 3 days a week so that helps too. I’m ridiculously over obsessed with laundry…

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 17/04/2023 12:43

Recent energy focus has also put me off doing washing for the sake of it and will wait for a completely full wash before doing one following ridiculous calculations of pants:power ratios meaning I now own approx 50 pairs of my everyday George black midi pants!

WhatEasterEgg · 17/04/2023 12:45

TheFlis12345 · 17/04/2023 12:36

2 loads on the line and one on the airer. Plus I have 2 of those sock hanger things.

I call them sock carousels, was just wondering to DH the other day if that's the real name or just my own thing.

I can only get 2 loads on my lines outside, amazed that people have space & enough pegs for 3+ loads!

CoffeeWithCheese · 17/04/2023 12:45

Old house I could get a couple easily - rotary line plus a long line... this house - I have one portable rotary line (the type marketed at caravaners) and will buy another when I get the chance. Also have a covered area outside so stuff gets bunged out there whenever possible.

MrsMoastyToasty · 17/04/2023 12:45

3 loads (king-sized bedding, double bedding, 3 bath sheets, 3 flannels, 3 hand towels, 2 tea towels) once in the garden at once. We have a long garden. More on my 6ft tall clothes airer which I stand on my patio.

We have a long line rather than a rotary line. I'm often bringing dry washing in before my neighbour who uses a rotary- even if we pegged stuff out at the same time.

On Saturday I got 7 loads dry outdoors.

Mushroomofficeglass · 17/04/2023 12:49

Rotary line did 3 at weekend although it drys better with two loads in spring and autumn.

Have a wrack inside which does about half a load and a tumble dryer when needs must.

thesugarbumfairy · 17/04/2023 12:52

I am still hanging mine up in the kitchen as the weather isn't predictably dry yet, so 2 loads can go up at a time. I use a dehumidifier to get it done quicker.

I also use the tumble drier for a 'quick tumble' - just to make the towels (which are already dry) softer. Otherwise I don't use it because its more expensive to run than the dehumidifier. I have never put actual wet clothes in it.

gogohmm · 17/04/2023 13:04

One outside large capacity washing machine, one inside as well, half going in the dryer

dementedpixie · 17/04/2023 13:13

2 loads indoors. I dont have a tumble dryer so they are on airers in the spare bedroom. I have a 9kg machine

kitsuneghost · 17/04/2023 13:17

I can only get 1 load on the airer
Even then I use an additional to radiator hangers

Outside I get most on the line but still need a clothes horse for overspill

I do 1-2 wash a week

CatOnTheChair · 17/04/2023 13:21

1.5 loads on the line.
One indoors. Don't like more than 1 indoors at a time tho.
Got through 3 loads yesterday - one first thing, brought in at lunch to finish on the airers and next load outside. Thirdload outside about 6pm, brought in damp around 9, and left overnight.

The sock (and kids shorts) peg things are called Socktopuses in this house.

Flidina · 17/04/2023 13:22

I have a covered sun room area, that I've given over to drying washing, I have 2 rotary washing lines and 2 airers, so can dry 3-4 loads at once, usually takes 1-2 days depending how warm it gets, then a quick tumble. I never put wet washing straight in the dryer now.

Ohdearwhatnow4 · 17/04/2023 13:26

Can get 4 loads outside (9kg washing machine) and have 4 clothes horses, all underwear goes in tumble regardless of weather.

BigTedLittleTedCardboardBox · 17/04/2023 13:27

One load inside or out, as I have a v large drum and wait for a full load. I usually do one load each of lights and darks, plus two bedding/towel loads (3 double beds worth, split) each week.

Mumma · 17/04/2023 13:27

I just tumble everything...

Fundays12 · 17/04/2023 13:28

2 indoors but I have a utility drying area inside and 4 outdoors

24KaratCucumber · 17/04/2023 13:30

2 full loads and a socks and pants load.
I don't know why i seperate out pants and socks and wash them separately, it just makes sense to me for some reason.

So I can do 2 loads of jeans, school uniforms, t-shirts etc etc. Hang them all on hangers and horses.
Then I do a load of just Pants and Socks and I have an extending line in the bathroom that I can hang them all on.

Spanielsarepainless · 17/04/2023 13:38

Two 10kg on my massive whirly outside.