Drying outside in Autumn

DWhite

Our tumble dryer has stopped working! We don’t have space for an airer to be out and sadly because of that I sold my heated airer.
we have a washing line outside, I’ve hung the washing out there today as it’s not raining (yet). There’s a decent breeze going through the garden.
Will the clothes dry outside or am I expecting too much?

Rosetta92

I’ve seen other people on the forum say that providing the ground is dry - like after rain when the pavement then dries up your washing will dry. Even better if there’s some wind. The clothes may still feel a bit damp or they might just be cold but it will certainly get them at least partly dry. 

Katiehound

I usually get my washing at least half dry this time of year out on the line.
I wouldn't expect  it to dry completely.
I tend to check the weather forecast and wash on a bright day- for example if it looks like a damp cold day then I wouldn't put the machine on. (I'm using the solar panels so watching for them working anyway!)

you do need to keep an eye on the weather and certainly don't leave things out too late because it gets damp and your part dry washing can get very damp (again) possibly bring them in around 3 pm almost certainly by 4

One tip - if possible use the fastest spin on your machine because then the items start drier.

YoungBlueEyes

I always get my wash on the line (no tumble dryer), and I’ve always got it at least majoritively dry. I keep an eye on the weather (met office app is v good), and watch for dry blowy days. Washing will dry without sunshine if it’s a good breeze - like today! Met office is good cos you can check the humidity too, the lower the better really. 

 I put a wash on first thing, get it hung out and give it as long as poss, but at this time of year it’s back in by 3ish. 

Anything that isn’t dry enough to put away goes on my airer in the spare room overnight, with the window cracked open a tiny wee bit. Unless the humidity overnight is high, then it’s window shut and door left open. 

littlegreenparrot

I have never had a tumble drier and am out of the house working full time. 

If the forecast is mostly dry I often run a wash in an evening and peg it out, then get it in after I've come home from work the following day. 
If necessary it goes on the airer overnight but usually if the rain holds off for the afternoon its fine. 

thriftwizard

I dry outside all year round, just keeping an eye out for drier, breezy days on the forecast & trying to get washing done ready to go out first thing. It's not foolproof, there have been times when stuff's had to come in & get spun again after several days out, but mostly stuff gets dry - eventually! If the forecast's not great, I just put towels, mop-cloths, tea-towels & bedding out, not personal items; we have lots (household getting smaller as offspring leave home) so it doesn't matter if they're not back in circulation quickly. 

Rosa_Damascena

Katiehound said:

I usually get my washing at least half dry this time of year out on the line.
I wouldn't expect  it to dry completely.
I tend to check the weather forecast and wash on a bright day- for example if it looks like a damp cold day then I wouldn't put the machine on. (I'm using the solar panels so watching for them working anyway!)

you do need to keep an eye on the weather and certainly don't leave things out too late because it gets damp and your part dry washing can get very damp (again) possibly bring them in around 3 pm almost certainly by 4

One tip - if possible use the fastest spin on your machine because then the items start drier.

The BiB is not a good idea with delicates. Pull them out first and re-spin.

Drying outside is always better, for both the environment and the garments.

KxMx

I get mine out on the line whenever practical weather wise (after an extra spin cycle in washing machine) not with the aim to dry but to get as much wet out as possible. Come 3pm it's inside on an airer where usually it only needs an overnight stay to dry. I will use the mini dehumidifier if I think the moisture level is still high.

Mojisola

Katiehound said:

One tip - if possible use the fastest spin on your machine because then the items start drier.

We use the line as much as possible, all year round.

Our washing machine spin doesn't get clothes anywhere near as dry as the separate spin dryer does - we've had it for a couple of years now and it's made a huge difference, reducing drying time outside and the amount of moisture in the house when the weather meant washing had to be dried inside.

Potternerd

I watch the weather and dry outside. I haven’t and don’t want a tumble dryer. If it goes out early it generally dries enough to iron. (I’m a weirdo that likes to iron). If not fully dry I’ll hang on airers. We also have an Esse range cooker (poor man’s AGA) so that’s good for airing.

calleyw

If there is a breeze and the ground is drying up out it goes.  I keep an eye out and get it in if it starts raining.  And then on the airer over night