Drying washing outside

Austin_Allegro

I normally dry clothes indoors on an airer, as I'm out during the day. However this causes a certain amount of condensation and takes up space. So I'm thinking about line drying but have some questions:

1. Is it possible to line dry clothes in the winter? About how long does it take?

2. I won't be around to take the washing in if it rains, so does London rain damage or stain clothes in any way?

3. Is there any way to stop birds cr*apping on my clean washing?

I am considering just using an airer outside, with some plastic sheeting on top to keep off rain/bird cr*p - has anyone else tried this?

msmicawber

Hi Austin Allegro,

I use the outside line in winter on dry frosty days and on wet days use the garage, but the clothes still need a good airing afterwards. Have you any sheds or a garage that you could use, or rig up an awning?

comping_cat

I always stick my washing outside if i can, it just takes longer in the winter, and like msmicawber says, you will prob need to air it before using it. Not sure about london rain, but rain here in the south west just makes my washing wet!!!! As for birds, i think you would be very rich if you could find a way to stop them hitting your washing!!!!!
I often stick my washing out on the airer (easier to get in quickly) but havnt tried covering it in plastic, would be more worried about what the plastic would do (stop the clothes drying/make them smell) than what the birds could do!!!!

black-saturn

I've never been able to get washing dry on the line between about late october to early march. I find that if I have the heating on it dries hanging up in the bathroom quite quickly.

Churchmouse

Agree with catowen, try to dry outside even in winter, just for the fresh smell. Nothing comes close to air-dried laundry. Times depend on wind. On a still day, it's still damp when it comes in, but on a lovely blustery day it can be dry in 2-3 hours!! I also think it's critical to get it in before the dew starts forming, which can be surprisingly early in winter. Just a half-hour means it goes from being dry to damp again!

London rain doesn't seem to stain or damage clothes anymore. Smoke-free fuels and the like mean there aren't the particulates there used to be in the air. And as for the birds, nothing to do there except keep your fingers crossed!!

tootles_2

I try and dry clothes outside in winter, if they are not dry when I take them in I put them on the airer in the living room overnight.

Depending on how wet they are I also have radiator dryers which I use just to air off things like knickers and vests.

tanith

I hang my washing outside all year round, its really a common sense thing , if it looks like rain then don't put it out ... maybe I have the luxury of only mine and OH's (no children) washing so can choose to leave it or use an airer if its raining... but I find it dries fine outside all winter long as long as its a fairly bright and breezy day.... towels and sheets I leave in the washing basket till I know its going to be sunny.... but I sometimes get caught out when it rains unexpectedly it doesn't really matter and I have never found marks on the washing due to rain and I live in London.... as for bird poo ....... !!!!!! happens !!!:rotfl: it just goes back in the wash :rotfl:

Nicki

I've never been able to get clothes dry outside in winter either, but we only have a small back yard which is very sheltered so think we just don't get enough wind to do the trick. While we were on holiday though our campsite had a fantastic system for drying clothes, which was a clothes line outside but under a wooden roof, supported by four pillars but no walls. Kept rain off even in very heavy showers, and birds, but let wind in on all sides to get washing dry. It wouldn't work for us because we have such a sheltered spot but may work for someone else reading this.

sandieb

I would think that, if you use a whirligig rotary line outside, it would be feasible to put a waterproof top cover on it as the clothes wouldn't actually be in contact with plastic/whatever. The fresh air would blow through your clothers and the top cover would protect them from bird poo.

I haven't actually put it into practice but have thought about it!

saving-grace

My mother can dry clothes outside all year round but I have learned through trial and error that where I live its a waste of time between October and March. Nice as line dried washing is it just isn't possible here in the winter.
I'd give it a try if I were you though!

rjh090384

birds pooed all mine al lsummer grrr