People are only just discovering the real reason clothes pegs have holes, thanks to viral TikTok videos that have left many viewers astonished. Line drying is a classic method to dry clothes, but it turns out that most of us have been doing it all wrong – and it is all to do with the pegs.
The revelation from TikTok
Two videos, one from user @jpee074 and another from @xox_christinaaaa, have emerged on TikTok revealing the proper way to hang out your washing. Rather than folding garments over the line and clipping them in place, we should actually be placing the peg over the line itself and letting the clothes hang down below. The little holes on the pegs are designed to slide onto the line, while the grip holds the items firmly underneath.
@jpee074 wrote: "I was today years old when I found out I had been pegging wrong all these years. The little holes are for the line." Christina asked in her clip: "Has anyone else ever realised that this is the wrong way to hang up things on a clothesline and that clothes pegs actually have this little hole so you can actually hang your clothes on the line?"
Viewer reactions
One viewer commented: "Gosh, I've been wiping down the clothesline for years to make sure it's clean before use. Now I never have to do that again!" However, many viewers across both videos pointed out that washing lines in the UK are subjected to far stronger winds, which may well explain why so many Brits prefer to stick to the tried-and-tested method of doubling the item over the line.
One user said: "Yeah, so you don't get lines from the wire on your clothes, but in the UK the wind ain't having it." Another commented: "Yeah, but it's called living in Britain, and Mother Nature might take your clothes for a spin."
Benefits of line drying
Drying clean clothes and household linens on a washing line is not only kinder to your energy bills but also gentler on fabrics, helping them last considerably longer than they would after repeated tumble drying. All you need are a few basic essentials – a washing line and some pegs – and nature takes care of the rest. However, using pegs incorrectly can result in needless creases in freshly washed items.
While the TikTok method may reduce creases, UK residents remain cautious due to unpredictable weather. The debate continues, but one thing is clear: the humble clothes peg has a hidden feature that many are only now discovering.
