It’s low humidity & a decent windspeed that makes a good drying day 26 October 2021 at 7:53PM edited 26 October 2021 at 7:57PM in Green & ethical MoneySaving 15 replies 202 views

Teapot55

If you’re trying to be green & moneysaving & choosing a good day to dry washing outdoors on the washing line there’s three things to consider

• at least a few hours where the forecast is for less than 5% probability of rain 

• a decent wind speed forecast (15 mph plus?)

• a forecast of low humidity, preferably less than about 50%

A combination of all the  above is ideal. 

michaels

Humidity or relative humidity?  Which brings in air temperature - at low temps air can't absorb much moisture even if the humidity is low - below freezing and won't your clothes just freeze wet as no evaporation can take place?

Anything much over 10mph on the wind and aren't you risking your clothes getting blown away?

Grumpy_chap

It is relative humidity.

Air can still absorb moisture at, and below, freezing point so long as the relative humidity is low enough. 

Thinner item, like sheets will dry in cold conditions as long as there is a suitable breeze and a bit of sun - don't leave them out too long though as, once the winter night draws in, the dew will make the sheets wet again.  I have certainly put sheets and shirts etc to dry even if there is snow laying on the ground.  Not so successful with thicker items such as towels in that type of weather.

Spies

I personally dry my clothes using a dehumidifier indoors. 

Grumpy_chap

Spies said:

I personally dry my clothes using a dehumidifier indoors. 

Dehumidifiers can be very power hungry devices.

Spies

Grumpy_chap said:

Spies said:

I personally dry my clothes using a dehumidifier indoors. 

Dehumidifiers can be very power hungry devices.

Mine uses about 300 Watts when the compressor is running. Cheaper than the alternative when you can't dry clothes due to the weather.

3 hours is usually enough to dry a clothes rack. 

Teapot55

Have just rechecked and it’s going to be too damp outside today to make any difference to wet washing. I always check though, https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcp0zxrb4
because my aim is to be green and to save money. 

Yes, since our weather has become more ‘violent’ it’s been necessary to find ways to make the washing less likely to be blown away, including more & stronger clothes pegs. 

(Alternatives when you can’t dry washing outside have been very well covered in other posts). 

JKenH

Teapot55 said:

Yes, since our weather has become more ‘violent’ .....Teapot55 said:

Yes, since our weather has become more ‘violent’ it’s been necessary to find ways to make the washing less likely to be blown away, including more & stronger clothes pegs. 

Has it become more violent? 

Tigsteroonie

So a day that is dry, breezy, and not damp/foggy?

Dang, the old fogeys were right all along!!

Teapot55

JKenH said:

Teapot55 said:

Yes, since our weather has become more ‘violent’ .....Teapot55 said:

Yes, since our weather has become more ‘violent’ it’s been necessary to find ways to make the washing less likely to be blown away, including more & stronger clothes pegs. 

Has it become more violent? 

Ah. I don’t have evidence. I don’t remember washing blowing away so much in the past. Maybe I had stronger pegs then?

Ectophile

JKenH said:

Teapot55 said:

Yes, since our weather has become more ‘violent’ .....Teapot55 said:

Yes, since our weather has become more ‘violent’ it’s been necessary to find ways to make the washing less likely to be blown away, including more & stronger clothes pegs. 

Has it become more violent? 

Global warming.  Have you been in a cave for the last few years?