My 82 year old mother puts her wet washing in her conservatory with no windows open even in this nice weather, she said it’s too cold. I told her she will cause dampness and she said she is not interested. You can smell the washing doesn’t dry fresh but she won’t listen. She won’t allow you to open windows as she always complains about feeling cold. She is driving me up the wall. Any ideas what I could do? Thanks
Get a conservatory heater (they're oil-filled electric ones, usually in a kind of tube shape, very cheap to run), close the door between the conservatory and the living room, and open a small window. You could back this up with a room thermometer showing her what the real temperature in the conservatory is.
If she needs to launder more bedlinen than average, look in her area for a laundry that will collect and deliver - it's such an old-fashioned service that many people don't realise how many laundries do still do this. It's a life-saver if you haven't really the space or the muscle to go heaving wet sheets around the place.
PS I just saw your reply explaining that the central heating is on in the conservatory. (I hope to goodness there aren't any plants in there?!) Turn that radiator off and proceed as above.
At this point the best option is to
1. replace all regular underwear with disposable Pull Up type briefs so there is no underpants that need washing.
2. start taking her wash and do it yourself. Or send it to a laundromat that will wash and fold or hang for you.
3. if there is a washer and dryer at moms do laundry there when you visit.
Future plans should be either looking for Memory Care for her or last option would be moving her in with you or you moving in with her.