Britons taking advantage of the summer sunshine are being advised to take extra care when hanging their laundry outside. Drying laundry in the open air can help cut energy costs, keep indoor temperatures cooler and leave clothes with a fresher smell. It can also prove more gentle on fabrics in comparison to tumble drying, helping garments stay in superior condition for longer.
However, there is a common mistake that many people make when hanging up their washing, according to specialists at Brabantia, who caution that your most treasured items of clothing could be at risk of damage.
Clothes Pegs Can Leave Damage
Speaking to Ideal Homes about the problem with clothes pegs, the expert cautioned: "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 area, they can place unnecessary pressure on the fabric. Over time, this may lead to stubborn 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 protect delicate items, it is recommended to ditch clothes pegs altogether. However, avoid leaving laundry unattended outside during blustery conditions, as garments can easily be blown away. They suggest using an indoor drying rack and moving it outside.
They explained: "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 continued: "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 is also advisable to gently reshape garments to smooth out any wrinkles before hanging them out or placing them on a drying rack — a straightforward step that can also substantially reduce the amount of ironing needed.
How to Hang Your Clothes Outside
To keep ironing to a minimum, give clothes a thorough shake before hanging them out and avoid cramming too many items together, according to The English Home. Spread everything out, unfasten shirts, unzip jackets and unroll sleeves to encourage even drying and fewer creases.
Suspend tops from the lower hem and trousers from the waist to avoid any unwanted stretching. Delicate knitwear ought always to be dried flat, as hanging damp jumpers can result in them losing their shape. For shirts, drying them tidily on hangers proves particularly effective, or if you still favour using clothes pegs, fastening shirts by the bottom edge can help reduce creasing and make storing them away considerably more straightforward.
