Fact or Fiction: Is It Really Dangerous to Do Laundry in a Thunderstorm?

You may have heard that you should avoid doing laundry during a thunderstorm. It may sound like an old warning, but there is real safety logic behind it. Lightning can travel through electrical wiring, plumbing, and metal systems in a home, which means appliances connected to both electricity and water can pose a risk during severe storms.

Why Laundry Can Be Risky

Washing machines use electricity and are connected to water lines. Dryers use electricity or gas, and many have metal vents. If lightning strikes your home or a nearby utility line, a surge can travel through wiring or plumbing and potentially damage appliances or create a shock risk.

How Common Is It?

Being injured while doing laundry during a storm is not common, but it is possible. The risk is higher during intense thunderstorms with frequent lightning. Because laundry can usually wait, safety experts often recommend avoiding it until the storm has passed.

Other Activities to Avoid

During a thunderstorm, it is also wise to avoid showering, bathing, washing dishes by hand, using corded phones, touching plumbing, or using plugged-in electronics. Wireless devices are generally safer if they are not connected to chargers.

Protect Your Appliances

Surge protectors can help reduce damage to some electronics, but they do not guarantee complete protection from lightning. For major storms, unplug sensitive electronics when safe to do so before the storm arrives. Avoid unplugging devices during active lightning if it puts you near windows, water, or wiring.

Wait Until the Storm Passes

A common rule is to wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before resuming normal activities. If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to pose a potential danger.

Final Thoughts

So, is doing laundry in a thunderstorm dangerous? It is not the most common household hazard, but the risk is real enough that waiting is the smarter choice. During lightning, avoid appliances connected to electricity and water, protect your electronics, and let the laundry sit until the storm has safely moved on.