I’m the Queen of Clean – the exact items you can STILL dry on the washing line in icy weather, and which to leave inside
THE sun’s out and the sky’s clear, but it’s freezing cold and the garden is covered in ice.
So can you still get your washing dry on the line?
Well, one cleaning whizz, dubbed the ‘Queen of Clean’, has revealed the exact clothing items she would still put out in zero degrees – and those she’d get dry inside.
“I’ve been asked this question about six times already today,” Lynsey laughed in a video on her TikTok page.
“It’s nearly 11 o’clock, and where I live is zero degrees.
“It is a bright blue, piercing, gorgeous sky and the sun is shining, so it’s one of those really lovely winter days where you can wrap up warm and go for a lovely walk and just get that vitamin D.
“And yes, I would put washing out today.”
She went on to explain that she was going to put some of her dog blankets out on the line, adding: “They’re quite large so the air is gonna get through them, the sun is gonna shine on them and they’re light.”
“I’ll put bedding out today – bottom sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers.
“They would dry today.
“Obviously it’s cheaper than using the tumble dryer.
“And when the weather is good, going out in the garden for 10 minutes to hang your washing out is just gonna make you feel good – it’s gonna wake you up a bit more!”
However, there are more than a couple of things that won’t dry in when it’s icy outside.
“Jeans aren’t gonna dry today,” she said.
“Heavy sweatshirts they’re not gonna dry today.
“Underwear, anything small, is not gonna dry today.
“T-shirts, if you open peg them like I’ve told you about before and the wind can actually get through them, they will probably dry.
“But there’s no harm in trying!”
More winter laundry tips
Tackling laundry in the winter can be a challenge, but these handy tips can help you stay on top of it:
- Use a Dehumidifier: Place a dehumidifier in your drying area to speed up the drying process and prevent dampness.
- Spin Cycle Boost: Run an extra spin cycle on your washing machine to remove excess water from clothes, reducing drying time.
- Indoor Drying Rack: Invest in a good-quality indoor drying rack and position it near a radiator or in a well-ventilated room.
- Tumble Dryer Balls: Add tumble dryer balls to your dryer to help clothes dry faster and reduce static cling.
- Space-Saving Hangers: Use space-saving hangers or a retractable washing line to maximise indoor drying space.
- Microfibre Towels: Lay microfibre towels over your drying rack to absorb extra moisture from hanging clothes.
- Partially Dry Outside: On dry days, hang clothes outside for a short period before bringing them in to finish drying.
These hacks can help you keep your laundry routine efficient and your clothes fresh, even during the colder months.
And for anything that doesn’t get completely dry outside, you can just bring it in and “stick it on an airer for an hour or so then it will dry super super quickly”.
Lynsey also shared the times she would put her washing out – from when the sun is out at around 9am, until it starts to go in at around 3pm.
“You don’t want to leave it out as the air starts to get wet again and the gloominess and the darkness comes,” she warned.
“I can’t stand here and tell you everything will dry outside today, BUT… on a cold, crisp day like this, some things will definitely benefit from being on the washing line!” she captioned the video.
“Bedding, light t-shirts, and throws? They’ll almost fully dry.
“Avoid heavy items like jeans, though. Save on tumble dryer costs and give it a try!”
“If the ground is dry, the washing will dry (more or less!)” one person commented on the video.
“Agree!” Lynsey replied.
“I do all year round unless it’s raining or visibly damp out and pavement isn’t drying out,” another said.
“Tumble dryer all the way for bedding and towels!!” a third wrote.
“I stop hanging washing outside end of sept and probably won’t until March when warmer.”
“Sadly not everybody has the luxury of a tumble dryer so it’s always good to offer alternative ideas and tips,” Lynsey replied.