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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Does anyone else feel great satisfaction at being able to hang laundry outside in the sun?

126 replies

yetanotherchangeofnamey · 02/09/2023 12:12

We don't have a tumble dryer (no space), and I feel so satisfied seeing my freshly washed laundry hanging outside in the sun. Better for the environment, dries quicker, smells nicer once dry, with the occasional waft of freshener drifting through the open window. Bonus points if it's something I can put on a hanger and hang outside, then put it straight in the wardrobe once dry.

I never thought I'd find something like this satisfying! We've never lived anywhere that could fit a tumble dryer (apart from before we moved out of our family homes), and I hate hanging stuff indoors, it just gets in the way or takes about two days to dry and fills the room up with condensation.

Anyone have any household chores just fill them with such happiness?

OP posts:
Tadpolle · 03/09/2023 10:57

Tadpolle · 03/09/2023 10:54

I love it too!

Last year in the mad heatwave we had temps up to 40 degrees here (Yorkshire) and we have a sunny back yard with washing lines. I washed and outdoor dried everything, including king size feather duvet (fits in 8kg washing machine), all the sofa blankets, coats, pet bedding. I think of it fondly often.

To clarify- the heatwave was scary and worrying climate wise.
But I did enjoy drying all that washing.

riotlady · 03/09/2023 11:44

Yes! Baby clothes are my favourite, there’s something so lovely about seeing all the little onesies pegged up in a row

myvinted · 03/09/2023 11:55

@cadentiasidera what are those white things in your second photo?

NonMiDispiace · 03/09/2023 12:01

Nothing beats drying washing outside, that wonderful fresh smell 🥰
I find it hugely satisfying and it brings back memories of my mother’s two long washing lines that ran the whole length of the long back garden, with clothes props to hoick them up in the air.

BringOnSummerHolidays · 03/09/2023 12:02

Same here. I have a tumble but I just love clothes that have been dried outdoors. I hang them out as much as possible.

mum2jakie · 03/09/2023 12:31

I absolutely love it and will try and line dry all year round - even if I can just get an hour or so of outdoor air. I also love just standing watching it dry. This thread has reminded me that I have one of the kid's bedding that I can put in the wash. I thought I'd finished washing everything I can. This summer has been such a wash out I am making the most of this September sunshine!

cadentiasidera · 03/09/2023 14:24

myvinted · 03/09/2023 11:55

@cadentiasidera what are those white things in your second photo?

@myvinted they are all-in-one washable nappies, the white parts are the insides - the sun was great for bleaching out any stains!

Notcontent · 03/09/2023 18:32

Canthave2manycats · 03/09/2023 00:11

You are all quite mad!!!

We live in a house with a decent garden but have never so much as entertained the idea of having a washing line!!

Firstly, because we have both always worked FT away from home, so not there to rescue washing from the all-too-frequent rain. Secondly DH has numerous bird feeders so the washing would be guaranteed to be shat on.

I've actually never hung out washing on a line to dry, ever. Towels for instance are far softer dried in the tumble dryer!

To me the fact that someone never dries clothes outside is really odd…. Which just shows how we all have very different habits. I grew up in a warm country where everyone dries clothes outside and tumble dryers are only used as a last resort when it’s been constantly raining.

For me the biggest issue with tumble drying is that, leaving aside the cost, it is very damaging for clothes.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 03/09/2023 18:36

Nope. It's nicer and better for the environment, but it's boring and takes longer. I don't mind when I have nothing else particular to be doing. However, I live in a notoriously damp, rainy place and it's not often sunny or dry for long enough to fully dry many loads of washing.

hiredandsqueak · 03/09/2023 18:46

Me too. I also root around the house for things to wash on a good drying day. I've stripped two of the three beds and done all the cushion covers and throws today. Third bed will be done tomorrow along with towels and bathmats. I am also obsessive about how stuff is hung out, they have to be hung in size order and colours grouped together then I can admire them from the window.

megletthesecond · 03/09/2023 19:11

I manage to line dry all year round but this week I will be washing everything like a woman possessed. Having an autumn clean.

cushioncovers · 04/09/2023 08:10

Yesterday was a glorious day for hanging out washing. My line was bursting.

AuntieMarys · 04/09/2023 08:16

I have absolutely nothing to wash today! Did 4 loads yesterday...towels, bedding, light and dark wash. No more till Friday now.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 04/09/2023 08:19

AuntieMarys · 04/09/2023 08:16

I have absolutely nothing to wash today! Did 4 loads yesterday...towels, bedding, light and dark wash. No more till Friday now.

I'm on niche items now - cushion covers, bedroom throws etc. The freshness of line drying is better than any fabric conditioner.

AuntieMarys · 04/09/2023 08:51

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 04/09/2023 08:19

I'm on niche items now - cushion covers, bedroom throws etc. The freshness of line drying is better than any fabric conditioner.

Show quote history

I did cushions and throws on Saturday!!

Decafflatteplease · 04/09/2023 09:52

Simple pleasures but I love it! I find hanging out washing quite meditative and love seeing it flapping about in the wind it just lifts my heart.

But then I'm quite old fashioned and love homemaking!

My children are all out of nappies now but jaws to love having a line full of cloth nappies.

Today I'm doing towels on the line, hopefully throws tomorrow. Trying to find a good space in the garden for a second, smaller line aswell!

Pootle40 · 04/09/2023 09:57

Canthave2manycats · 03/09/2023 00:11

You are all quite mad!!!

We live in a house with a decent garden but have never so much as entertained the idea of having a washing line!!

Firstly, because we have both always worked FT away from home, so not there to rescue washing from the all-too-frequent rain. Secondly DH has numerous bird feeders so the washing would be guaranteed to be shat on.

I've actually never hung out washing on a line to dry, ever. Towels for instance are far softer dried in the tumble dryer!

😕😫 how bizarre

Storynanny1 · 04/09/2023 11:03

My one tog quilt ( stitched into a duvet cover) dried in 20 mins yesterday here on the hot south coast on my south facing garden - that’s a record.

fetchacloth · 04/09/2023 11:29

Well so far today I've washed the duvet which is currently on the line.
The bedroom curtains are currently in the washing machine.
I'm on a mission 😎

Ariela · 04/09/2023 11:39

I like wandering down the garden to dig that evening's potato, carrots, and picking beans or peas etc, I haven't bought any veg since May.

BruceAndNosh · 04/09/2023 11:45

We,ve lived here for 20 years but only had a whirly for past 5 years as we couldn't get the stake to drive into our stony soil.
Now I love my whirly. I've got 3 loads planned today and bed linen tomorrow

Roselilly36 · 04/09/2023 11:49

Love getting my washing out on the line. Can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t, line dried washing smells lovely, sunlight removes stains, it’s free.

ferretface · 04/09/2023 14:08

Three loads of laundry done so far today!

Tadpolle · 04/09/2023 15:36

Discussed this with a colleague today and I was joking about running out of things to wash and line dry this week.

She said- kids dressing up clothes and soft toys! Yessss! More washing line joy in store

fearfuloffluff · 04/09/2023 15:40

I'm on my 4th or 5th wash of the day! Just got back from hols so there's a huge backlog.

I love watching bedsheets change from dark to light colour as they dry.