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Thread: How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

  1. #1
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    How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

    I am struggling to have any clothes clean. Aside from the fact that I often have to wash everything more than once, and often go through 2 or 3 pairs of trousers per day, I am struggling to get any washing done due to the fact that the stereotype of England being miserable and rainy is true, so drying clothes outside is not an option most days (even when it is sunny it's a problem, but that's a whole different issue altogether).

    I do have an indoor airer but it doesn't hold a full wash very well and it creates an awful smell. There's also the problem that the only space to dry the clothes is also where I sleep which isn't very healthy, and the clothes take more than a day to dry so it's all too easy to fall behind again. And no, I don't have a tumble drier.

    I kind of feel that I have exhausted all options, so if anyone can suggest anything then I'd be very grateful. It's really, really getting me down and causing an incredible amount of stress.

  2. #2
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    Re: How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

    You maybe need to go to a launderette and get them dried there if this is so distressing for you
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    Nicola

    “Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don't have to live forever, you just have to live.” - Natalie Babbitt

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  3. #3
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    Re: How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

    A laundromat as you can wash and dry large loads but you'd be running there several days a week and spending money needlessly. 2-3 pairs of pants a day is beyond excessive I'm sure you know. Are you getting professional help with your OCD?

    Positive thoughts
    __________________
    "Eat. Drink. Enjoy the work you do. Be thankful for the blessings God gives you in this life. Live, love and seek out the things that bring your heart joy. The rest is meaningless... Like chasing the wind." King Solomon

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  4. #4
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    Re: How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

    Quote Originally Posted by nomorepanic View Post
    You maybe need to go to a launderette and get them dried there if this is so distressing for you
    Not an option. As I always do, I've read far too much into bacteria left in washing machines/clothing so I'll never be able to use a laundrette :/.

    Quote Originally Posted by Fishmanpa View Post
    A laundromat as you can wash and dry large loads but you'd be running there several days a week and spending money needlessly. 2-3 pairs of pants a day is beyond excessive I'm sure you know. Are you getting professional help with your OCD?

    Positive thoughts
    Yes I know it is excessive and to be honest that's another reason it gets me down so much. Being aware that my behaviour is not normal but also being unable to change it is tough to take :(.

    Not getting professional help YET, but after 5+ months of battling it out with the NHS, I finally have an appointment to begin therapy/CBT next week, in addition to a referral to a specialist hospital.

  5. #5
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    Re: How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr X View Post
    Not getting professional help YET, but after 5+ months of battling it out with the NHS, I finally have an appointment to begin therapy/CBT next week, in addition to a referral to a specialist hospital.
    That's a positive step. In the mean time, perhaps you can limit the pant changes to once a day.

    Positive thoughts
    __________________
    "Eat. Drink. Enjoy the work you do. Be thankful for the blessings God gives you in this life. Live, love and seek out the things that bring your heart joy. The rest is meaningless... Like chasing the wind." King Solomon

    The best help is the help you give yourself! http://cbt4panic.org/

  6. #6
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    Re: How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

    It’s great that you have help starting soon.
    I have 2 airers in my living room. They don’t smell, so I’m not sure why yours are smelling? Do you mean the sort of damp smell? Are you keeping a window open to circulate the air?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  7. #7
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    Re: How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr X View Post
    Not an option. As I always do, I've read far too much into bacteria left in washing machines/clothing so I'll never be able to use a laundrette :/.
    Not sure that is true - they would be killed by the heat surely.

    You will just have to leave them on a drier then - put them in the bathroom to dry.
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    Nicola

    “Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don't have to live forever, you just have to live.” - Natalie Babbitt

    Please help keep NMP running and donate to the running costs: http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/donate




  8. #8
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    Re: How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

    Quote Originally Posted by Fishmanpa View Post
    That's a positive step. In the mean time, perhaps you can limit the pant changes to once a day.

    Positive thoughts
    I do try to but right now all I have to do is even brush against something I don't like and that's it - off they come!

    Quote Originally Posted by Scass View Post
    It’s great that you have help starting soon.
    I have 2 airers in my living room. They don’t smell, so I’m not sure why yours are smelling? Do you mean the sort of damp smell? Are you keeping a window open to circulate the air?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I always keep the windows open when drying indoors, yes, and yes I mean that horrible damp smell. It's really unpleasant.

    Quote Originally Posted by nomorepanic View Post
    Not sure that is true - they would be killed by the heat surely.

    You will just have to leave them on a drier then - put them in the bathroom to dry.
    Washing under 60 never kills off all the bacteria.

    No room in the bathroom for an airer. I feel kind of stuck.

  9. #9
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    Re: How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

    I can appreciate that you need to have the control over washing your clothes in "perfect" conditions to eliminate all risk of bacteria. My daughter has the same worries as you so I am constantly washing stuff and I also worry about not keeping up with the supply and I don't have a tumble drier either. Are you washing by hand or do you have a machine?

    I start really early in the morning and at the moment am putting the heating on for an hour or so when the washing is done so that i can put it on the radiators/airer. It helps but getting clothes dry at the moment is really hard in this weather.

    I'm glad that you are getting professional help. It's awful being in the grips of this especially when it feels as if there is no escape.

  10. #10
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    Re: How to wash/dry clothes when drying outside isn't an option?

    I was talking about the driers though, not washing them
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    Nicola

    “Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don't have to live forever, you just have to live.” - Natalie Babbitt

    Please help keep NMP running and donate to the running costs: http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/donate




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