Is hanging washing on the line not a thing anymore?

[Savvyshopper81]

Interesting conversation with neighbour recently:

Him: ‘I see you like hanging your washing out to dry.’
Me: ‘Er, yeah. Doesn’t everyone?’
Him: ‘Well no, we think it’s a bit common.’

Now this was said tongue in cheek but I’ve come to realise that NONE of my neighbours have washing lines (only us!) and we all have big enough gardens. Plus a local friend recently said that they tumble dry everything because they can’t stand seeing washing hanging around.

Is this no longer a thing? Has the world gone mad?? I live on top of a very windy hill in a sunny part of the UK - unless it’s raining washing usually dries in a couple of hours. I’m baffled as to why people wouldn’t take advantage of that!

I'm actually excited here as it is dry and I can hang out the washing

I've been for a swim in the sea this morning and my bathers are blowing on the line outside my window. It's a happy thing to see.

I don't have a "line" per se but a foldable drying rack which I prefer to using tumble drying. Gentler on clothes, saves electricity, etc,etc.

It’s not hypoallergenic if you have hayfever.

I put the washing machine on 20 minutes ago because the sun was shining and I love drying clothes outside. But now it's clouded over 🙁. When hanging clothes outside I do hide underwear behind clothes because my corner (wraparound) garden is seeable by the general public as they walk by. I don't have a tumble dryer but a clothes rack suffices in winter or rainy days.

I hang mine out at every opportunity but I have noticed that aside from my next door neighbour, none of my other neighbours do it! I’ve often wondered why.

Hang washing out so do our neighbours

Mine has been out since last night, it’s just about to rain so I’ll have to take it in now 😂

I think it is the hassle of trying to judge the weather . I do it as there are 5 of us and it just so much better getting it dried quicker but I can see how it easier just putting it on an airer and getting it when suits you x

I’m as common as muck obviously. I’m just waiting for the machine to finish so I can peg the washing out. All my whites and towels. Row upon row of my big knickers. You don’t like it, well don’t look at it!

People in my street think they’re posh, but as far as I’ve seen, most hang their washing out - mine is out right now.

Has the world gone mad??

Yes. Yes it has.

Most hayfever sufferers don't have issues hanging out clothes outside unless in peak season. Of course there are multiple reasons why people need to use a tumble drier - health, weather, lack of space or communal property they don't trust.

But these are personal circumstances way outside what the OP posted.

No-one would judge you for that. This thread is about people who have the option to line dry outside but don't.

Tell him it's environmentally the responsible thing to do when the weather is good. There'll be enough reason to use a tumble drier when it rains and then he can be happy. Miserable old curmudgeon!

I love putting bedding out to line dry, the only reasons I use my tumble dryer are weather and limited time. But I line dry washing when I can.

protecting the environment is not common - what an odd little jumped up man😂

I’ve been told not to hang mine outside as they get pollen on them. I also can’t open windows and have purifiers for the air.

I don’t think I’m chavvy or common or destroying the environment and I’m perplexed that people would judge me for not putting washing out.

there are loads of reasons which mean that people might not hang out washing - as I’ve said. Why is the immediate thought that it is a negative comment on their character or is yuk or some such?

I really don’t get it.

When we bought our new builds, 23 years ago, my neighbour complained because our line was attached at one side to the fence we shared (posts our side if that makes a difference). Since then I've put my clothes horse out - pegged clothes and bricks at the bottom so it can't blow over. Literally NEVER use my tumble - it's a combined washer and for emergencies only.

I dont get why it would be "common"? laundry dries quicker in the sun than in the tumble drier and it smells so lovely and fresh- what on earth is common about liking fresh-smelling fast drying laundry?

Thanks for the link - that’s really useful!

I put washing out on the line every single chance I get. I love when you can batter through all the sheets and towels because it's drying within an hour outside. I've got a tumble dryer in the shed and only use it in the winter and never for clothes. Maybe clothes horses all over your house and knickers on the radiators is more common than line drying 😏

My ex husband refused to let me have a washing line as he said it was common. To be honest I now occasionally hang some things out, just the things I can’t tumble but I wouldn’t ever hang out underwear socks or towels they just go in the drier. I don’t think anyone I know has a line, they find me quite amusing. Occasionally you’ll see a clothes horse on the patio but I’m the weirdo with the whirligig

I used to but DC developed allergies so it's not recommended to hang washing out. Because pollen gets onto clothes I do have a tumble dryer but only use it for towels bedding pyjamas and underwear. It shrinks your clothes they used to put clothes in dryers at my son's residential school. They had to be told not to. The poor kids all had half mast pants. But Ofsted also says they can't dry clothes on a clothes horse because it's a tripping hazard.

Tell him you're saving the planet and then put your best knickers out

They are really weird! It most definitely is not common. I (and most people I know!) always feel really good when they can get their washing out and it will be commented on alongside any observation about good weather! ‘It’s so nice today I’ve had two loads out already’. Even my dad does it and he lives alone. I thought he’d stop when my mum died but nope!