Keep hanging the laundry or appease the neighbors

[Disneefun]

I've always hung my laundry outside in nice weather, both for the savings on the power bill and the environmental reasons. We live in a neighborhood with no covenants or HOA so no rules against clotheslines. Many other people in the neighborhood also hang out laundry and no one's ever had a problem.

Well, we had new next door neighbors move in over the winter. Now that the weather's nice, I'm back to hanging out the laundry. Well, the wife comes over today and asks that I please not do that anymore. It's not nice to look at, she says. When we met them for the first time in Dec., I thought they seemed a little snotty, but hoped they were just shy. It seems snotty was the right impression.

Two things to note: My clothesline is far away from her property line, partially blocked from her view by my deck. In other words, she's really having to strain and make an effort to see it. Second, I'm always careful to hang the skivvies on the inside of the line and use towels and other larger items to block the view of the underwear because I realize some people object to bras and panties flapping in the wind.

So, the question is: Do I keep hanging out the laundry and offend then neighbors, or do I keep the peace and start using the dryer?

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Keep hanging

 

[DisneyDizzy]

If there are no rules against it, I'd keep doing it. Who cares if she doesn't like to look at it. Frankly, I love to see clothes on the line.

 

[happygirl]

I've always hung my laundry outside in nice weather, both for the savings on the power bill and the environmental reasons. We live in a neighborhood with no covenants or HOA so no rules against clotheslines. Many other people in the neighborhood also hang out laundry and no one's ever had a problem.

Well, we had new next door neighbors move in over the winter. Now that the weather's nice, I'm back to hanging out the laundry. Well, the wife comes over today and asks that I please not do that anymore. It's not nice to look at, she says. When we met them for the first time in Dec., I thought they seemed a little snotty, but hoped they were just shy. It seems snotty was the right impression.

Two things to note: My clothesline is far away from her property line, partially blocked from her view by my deck. In other words, she's really having to strain and make an effort to see it. Second, I'm always careful to hang the skivvies on the inside of the line and use towels and other larger items to block the view of the underwear because I realize some people object to bras and panties flapping in the wind.

So, the question is: Do I keep hanging out the laundry and offend then neighbors, or do I keep the peace and start using the dryer?

I would keep hanging them. She has no right to ask you to stop. They can look the other way it if it bothers them so much.

Nothing gets my goat, as busy body neighbors telling you what you can and can't do on your own property.

 

[krcit]

While I am a nice person and like to keep the peace, noone is going to tell me that I can't hang laundry in my yard. I would be considerate and not leave it there for days on end but if I wanted to hang it, I would. She sounds like a real winner!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

If you don't have an HOA then I'd keep hanging out my laundry. I LOVE the way it smells after hanging outside. (Unfortunately our neighborhood is part of an HOA so no clothesline for us.) It's not your neighbors business, it's your property. She'll just have to deal with it.

Out of curiosity, what did you say when she asked you not to hang it outside?

 

[FireDancer]

Keep hanging it. I would have no problem if my neighbor hung their laundry out to dry. It sounds like your neighbor is a nosy hen with nothing to do other then tell you what to do on your property.

I hate people like that.

 

[padams]

Keep hanging the laundry.

 

[hereyago]

Well, the wife comes over today and asks that I please not do that anymore.

I truly would have laughed in her face and told her to pay my mortgage then she could have that happen.

A few years ago, a hurricane renovated our area and we had no power. Just a few of us had generators, we could use the washing machine but not the dryer. We didn't have a clothes line before, but we put one up during that time. Wonder what snooty woman would do if the power went out and she couldn't use her dryer?

 

[rcpae]

I would keep hanging out the laundry. Sounds like your neighbor might need a hobby!

 

[MaumeeMom]

If there are no rules to the contrary, I would just keep hanging the laundry. I don't know about hanging unmentionables but that is just me. I would explain to the new neighbor that you have always done this and why (environment, etc.), maybe ask her to coffee or something. It is your yard, as long as you aren't doing anything illegal, you can do whatever you want.

 

[Disneefun]

Out of curiosity, what did you say when she asked you not to hang it outside?

I said I'd rather not, but that I had heard and understood her and would take it into consideration. Then I came inside and asked all you fine folks!! (That's my version of "considering it").

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Maybe for Christmas, you could give her her own clothesline!

 

[Pigeon]

I'd hang the laundry. It saves you money and it's good for the planet. They can always look elsewhere.

If she's bothered by hanging laundry, she must sit up nights thinking of things to find offensive.

 

[Ponygirl]

I would tell her that I am deeply sorry about the laundry but I am more concerned that if she is looking that close, she is likely to see my husband relieving himself off the back deck early in the morning during warm weather. Then just give her a big smile and walk away.

 

[BillSears]

Drop the clothes off at her house for drying and folding.

 

[Kae]

Hang it. Tell her if that this kinda of thing bothered her so much she should have looked into it before she bought.

Kae

 

[hereyago]

drop the clothes off at her house for drying and folding.

ita!

 

[Jennasis]

Hang it. Hang more of it. Maybe put some pink flamingoes up around the line to boot...and a big sign that says "Quit Looking into my backyard".

 

[kwelch10377]

I'd keep hanging it and if you are close with you other neighbors ask if they would start too just to annoy her even more.