There’s one common mistake with outdoor clothes drying to avoid this summer
Britons making the most of the summer sunshine are being urged to exercise extra caution when hanging their laundry outdoors. Drying washing in the fresh air can help reduce energy bills, maintain cooler indoor temperatures and leave clothes with a fresher scent.
It can also prove gentler on fabrics compared to tumble drying, helping garments remain in better condition for longer. Nevertheless, there is a widespread mistake that many people make when hanging up their washing, according to specialists at Brabantia, who warn that your most cherished items of clothing could be damaged.
Speaking to Ideal Homes about the issue with clothes pegs, the expert warned: “While a laundry staple, clothes pegs can sometimes leave pressure marks or small creases on clothing, especially when they are clipped too tightly or left on the line for too long.”
As pegs grip clothing in a single concentrated spot, they can exert unnecessary strain on the material. Over time, this may result in persistent creases or indentations, shiny patches, distorted shoulders and necklines, and even colour fading.
How to protect your clothes
According to fashion specialists at Superdry, to help safeguard delicate items, it is advisable to abandon clothes pegs entirely. However, avoid leaving laundry unattended outdoors during windy conditions, as garments can easily be swept away.
They recommend using an indoor drying rack and transporting it outside. They noted: “This helps extend the lifespan of your clothing by minimising wear and tear caused by heat exposure.
“Sunlight offers natural antimicrobial properties and acts as a gentle whitening agent for fabrics. Take caution when using clothes pegs, as they can leave unsightly and potentially permanent pressure marks on delicate fabrics.”
They added: “Additionally, you can enhance the whitening effect further by lightly spritzing clothes with white vinegar before hanging them outdoors, helping the sun to keep your whites looking fresh.
“However, some fabrics will become stiff if dried in this way, especially those made from natural fibres like cotton. To avoid this, try partly drying outside and finish off with a few minutes in the tumble dryer.”
It’s also worth gently reshaping garments to smooth out any creases before hanging them out or placing them on a drying rack — a simple step that can also significantly reduce the amount of ironing required.
How to hang your clothes outside
To keep ironing to a minimum, give clothes a good shake before hanging them out and avoid cramming too many items together, according to The English Home. Spread everything out, unbutton shirts, unzip jackets and unroll sleeves to encourage even drying and fewer creases.
Hang tops from the bottom hem and trousers from the waistband to prevent any unwanted stretching. Delicate knitwear should always be dried flat, as hanging wet jumpers can cause them to lose their shape.
For shirts, drying them neatly on hangers works particularly well, or if you still prefer to use clothes pegs, clipping shirts by the bottom edge can help minimise wrinkles and make putting them away far more straightforward.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login