Really stupid question about line-drying

skintchick

I've never had a washing line before, and I've never been very keen on them so I have no idea how to use one!

Do you leave stuff out there overnight? Or do you have to wash early in the day so you can get it in before night?

I've just put one up for washable nappies really, and they can take a long time to dry, but I hate the idea of leaving stuff out there overnight to be possibly stolen.

Any advice?

southernscouser

Who the hell would want to steal a nappy? :undecided :rotfl:

My mum used to leave the occasional thing out over night. If I had a garden my clothes would live outside.

Rachel021967

I leave my stuff out overnight but I have a secure garden. The only thing against leaving it overnight is that people tend to have bonfires and barbecues in the evening. Also if there's a heavy rainfall overnight the washing would take longer to dry the next day. Also with towels and probably nappies they dry stiff and scratchie. The lady who wrote the Tightwad Gazette also tumble dried her twins nappies for exactly this same reason.

skintchick

southernscouser wrote: »

Who the hell would want to steal a nappy? :undecided :rotfl:

My mum used to leave the occasional thing out over night. If I had a garden my clothes would live outside.

20 washable nappies cost me over £200 - so people WOULD want to steal them!

I know people who've had all sorts nicked - including knickers!

skintchick

Rachel021967 wrote: »

I leave my stuff out overnight but I have a secure garden. The only thing against leaving it overnight is that people tend to have bonfires and barbecues in the evening. Also if there's a heavy rainfall overnight the washing would take longer to dry the next day. Also with towels and probably nappies they dry stiff and scratchie. The lady who wrote the Tightwad Gazette also tumble dried her twins nappies for exactly this same reason.

Iv'e been told the exact opposite which is why I bought the line!

I usually dry on airers in the house - rarely use the tumble drier and have no intention of starting now if I can avoid it.

freyasmum

I'd rather wash overnight and hang out in the morning

Towels and stuff like that do dry softer in the tumble dryer, so you could line dry them and then throw them in the dryer for a few mins to soften them?

Line dried sheets are one of my favourite indulgences :j

skintchick

I can;t wash overnight as it is too noisy in my small house. Hmmm. Still unsure if I will have to leave stuff outside?

Bronnie

I do mine the night before, ready for the morning, but there's no need really. You could get the machine loaded the night before, if you like, then just switch it on when you get up.

Drying times obviously depend on the weather. Hot weather or a windy day and they'll be ready in no time. If you've got plenty of line space, stretch the washing out flat on the line and it'll dry quicker, otherwise hang it with a loose fold between pegs. Share 1 peg between 2 neighbouring items.

Have you got a clothes prop (or long bit of wood), if you push the line up a bit, it'll catch the breeze better and be out of the way.

I never leave out at night. Even if it doesn't rain the atmosphere is damp. I bring it in and dry it off indoors or put it out again the next day. Exception being if it p*sses with rain on my washing , then I just leave it out till it eventually dries or I have to rewash it!!

Make sure your line is strongly fixed and strong enough as it wil carry quite a lot of weight and you don't want it coming down fully laden!

I tend to hang most stuff by upside down it's lower edge. Some things I will put on a hanger and peg out the hanger.

My God! I never realised how much I had to say on the subject! How sad am I:eek: Anything else you need to know that I've forgotten!!

freyasmum

skintchick wrote: »

I can;t wash overnight as it is too noisy in my small house. Hmmm. Still unsure if I will have to leave stuff outside?

If the weather's decent and you get them out early enough then surely they'll be dry before night time?

Careful_with_that_Axe

Bless you Skintchick for asking the questions - if you've never had a line before, how would you know?!
I've just moved into a house which has my first ever airing cupboard and am similarly confused!

hilstep2000

If you do them overnight or early on they will be dry. There's nothing nicer than a line of white nappies!
Wouldn't leave them overnight though, the dew in the morning or rain would spoil the wash!