How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

A straight forward question for most people that hang washing outside all the time!

Just hung my washing outside for the first time ever, consisting of bedding and shirts, how long do i need to leave it outside to properly dry in warm weather and in cool weather?

Thanks! :)

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

It depends - if there is no wind, it could take 4-6 hours.

If it's windy, an hour or two.

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

Cheers, hopefully not 4-6 hours on a warm day like today with a little wind as it is due to rain lots later. :)

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

Never used a dryer in my life and neither did my parents. Things like bedding and shirts will take no time at all as has been said 1-2 hours depending on the wind. Thick items like towels, jeans, duvets etc. take longer obviously depending on the material.

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

Thanks, hopefully the line wont fall down! :)

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

Wind's your worst enemy for that, especially if you have lots of large items on a single line. Just started pouring down here...

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

First time you've hung washing outside?

You know you now have to develop that instant sprint to get it in when the rain starts?

And it's on its way already....

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

Priority: Make sure your line is clean, wipe with a damp cloth to avoid dirty marks from line!

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

Yes always hung in spare room before, will need to get it in by 8pm i think to avoid the rain. :)

---------- Post added at 17:53 ---------- Previous post was at 17:53 ----------

Good point! :)

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

I know this might sound mad (but I am a fella), I`ve been hanging washing out for donkeys years and it was only a month ago I suddenly noticed that there were 3 settings on a peg. I always did wonder why my washing moved along the line.

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

It's very complicated; you've got to divide relative humidity by average wind speed, multiplied temperature (squared if it's a sunny day), take away the moisture content of the fibre, plus the drying index of the clothing concerned. Or not worry about all this, just leave it out for the day, and if it's still not dry shove it in the drier.
All irrelevant if a bird craps on it anyway.

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

I knew someone who used to hang washing out in the winter.

frozen stiff cardboard towels and whatever.

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

They become "freeze dried".:D

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

Well the washing line didn't fall down and managed to get it in before it rained, doing the same again today but heavy rain expected at 3pm and i have only just put it out.

This all feels like a pain in the ass this hang washing in the garden lark! haha

Re: How long does it take to dry washing outside?
 

Also, don't forget to factor in the airspeed of an unladen swallow :D