Hanging your clothes outdoors is the best method of drying your washing.
However, this means that you are exposed to uncertainties of the weather.
Your mornings could be glorious sunny- a good day to dry your washing. But the day could open up to a heavy downpour.
So, Do You Need To Rewash Your Laundry If It Rains While It’s Drying On The Clothesline?
Yes, you may have to redo your laundry if it is rained on, depending on where you live, how long it has been exposed to rain, and of course, how much it nettles you. However, opinion is always divided. Some folks will always redo the laundry when they get in, while others are inclined to think that redoing the whole load and rehanging is a waste of time and energy.
See Also: Is It OK To Put Dirty Clothes In The Dryer?
Five Reasons Why You Need to Rewash Your Laundry If It Rains While It’s Drying on The Clothesline
Sometimes the weather is indeed so unpredictable, and it happens that you take your laundry out, and it rains before you get home. No, bother. It happens to all of us.
There are several reasons why you will have to redo your laundry.
1. Effects of Air pollution
Depending on where you live, air pollution is a factor in laundering your garments.
You probably may not have to worry about it if you live in an air-clean neighborhood.
Human activities such as road works, quarrying, mining, dry land harrowing, burning waste, and housing developments are potential sources of air pollution.
Dust and smog particles from these activities can be bothersome. They can soil your laundry.
Dust particles can float in the air for days before they can settle. The rain will take up the dust, and definitely, it will land on your laundry on the clothesline, making them dirty.
The raindrops will leave dirty marks on your clothes. You will have no option but to rewash your linen.
2. To Remove The Musty Smell
If your linen stays dumped for long, it may not smell as clean as anticipated. A heavy downpour and prolonged wet weather can make it hard for your laundry to dry out.
The longer your laundry stays moist, the more likely it will breed molds and bacteria.
This will make your clothes malodorous and unpleasant by all means. You must redo your laundry to avoid transferring bad smells to other fresh-smelling linen.
3. To Get Rid Of Bacteria And Mold
Molds and bacteria are another bother for your damp clothes.
Damp and warm conditions are likely to breed molds and harbor bacteria. They not only make your clothes unsightly but also smelly.
Many say their clothes smell like a “wet towel” after continuous rain. It is the mold that is growing on your damp clothes.
So, if your linen has been hanging wet on the clothesline for some days, then yes, you will definitely have to rewash them. Alternatively, you can just rinse the whole load and rehang them to dry.
4. Personal Preference
Well, rewashing your laundry after it’s rained on also depends on how much it bothers you. If you feel rainwater is less clean than tap water, you will likely redo your laundry.
Also, if you think rainwater stretches your clothes, you can rinse them immediately after rain and squeeze out excess water.
Remember that heavy rain will thoroughly soak your clothes and towels and make them sag.
This can make your clothes stretch permanently.
See Also: Will Muddy Clothes Ruin Your Washing Machine?
Drying Clothes Indoors: Eleven Options
Drying your laundry outdoors is indeed an excellent option.
However, this leaves you at the mercy of the weather. In a time of uncertainty, most folks would prefer to dry their clothes inside the house using banisters, radiators, and at the back of the chairs.
However, drying your clothes inside is not a great idea because of possible moisture build-up.
What most people choose to ignore is that your wet laundry carries a lot of moisture which eventually has to leave your clothes and be somewhere.
The moisture evaporates from your clothes into the air inside your house. What you don’t realize is that a lot of water vapor inside your house has health implications.
Humidity encourages molds to grow on the windows, ceiling, and walls. This comes with serious health consequences. It can exacerbate asthma or triggering allergies.
So, it doesn’t mean you will skip your laundry if it is that rainy season.
Here are invaluable options to dry your clothes indoors:
- Open the doors and the windows to improve ventilation in the house. Having air flowing around can help dry your clothes faster. It helps to dissipate excess moisture and improve air circulation. However, this won’t do much on a wet day.
- Use a heated airer. A heated airer is an efficient alternative that is economical in both space and energy. You can use it to dry your entire load of washing.
- Use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier can help eliminate some moisture in your room, but you will have to turn it on during the entire time of clothes drying.
- Use a fast spin cycle. If your washing machine has an adjustable spin, you can set it at maximum. Alternatively, you can put your clothes in for another spin. Every cycle will lessen the moisture.
- Choose a dedicated space instead of drying them on the back of the chairs. When drying your clothes inside the house, a separate room or a dedicated enclosed part of your house will be a good option. This should be a well-ventilated room, or you can bring in an extra fan to speed up the process.
- Blast dry with a hair dryer. This may sound weird to some people, but you can actually blow away the initial dampness on your washing using a hair dryer. This alternative is suitable for smaller garments.
- Tumble drying. This is a common electric drying method. However, you have to be careful because tumble drying uses a lot of energy. You can help keep the electricity cost down by ensuring the dryer works efficiently. The most efficient dryer is rated A+++.
- Allow enough time to dry. Time is essential when it comes to drying your clothes. The longer you leave them to dry, the easier the work is. There are electric appliances that can help to fasten the process, but if you have a lot of time to spare, then you can use this cost-free option.
- Set up a portable clothesline on the deck. If you have a covered patio or a deck with a nice breeze, you can set up a portable clothesline and hang dry clothes there.
- Use a waterproof cover to protect your clothes from rain if you have decided to dry them outside.
- Check the weather forecast before you start laundering. Perhaps the best solution is to keep an eye on the weather updates before taking your washing outdoors. There are free weather apps that you can utilize. They can even alert you when it is about to rain.
Final Words
Although drying your washing outdoors is highly recommended, it is not uncommon for rain to catch up with you before you can collect your clothes.
Depending on your environment, you will need to rewash your laundry if it rains while it’s drying on the clothesline.
This will help eliminate rain spots and bad smells on damp clothes.