Households making the most of the summer weather are being urged to exercise additional caution when hanging their washing outdoors. Air-drying laundry can reduce energy costs, maintain a cooler home, and leave garments smelling fresher. It can also be kinder to materials than relying on a tumble dryer, extending the life of your clothes. However, there is a common mistake people make while hanging out their washing, according to specialists at Brabantia, who warn that prized items could be damaged.
The Problem with Clothes Pegs
Discussing the issue with Ideal Homes, the specialists 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." Since pegs grip clothing in a single, focused spot, they impose needless strain on the material. This can result in persistent creases or indentations, glossy patches, distorted shoulders and necklines, and even colour deterioration.
How to Protect Your Clothes
Fashion specialists at Superdry recommend abandoning clothes pegs entirely for delicate pieces. However, avoid leaving washing unattended outdoors during breezy weather, as items can be swept away. They suggest using an indoor drying rack and positioning it outside. They observed: "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.
They also advised: "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 become stiff if dried this way, especially natural fibres like cotton. To avoid this, try partly drying outside and finishing with a few minutes in the tumble dryer.
How to Hang Clothes Outside
To minimise ironing, give clothes a good shake before pegging them out and ensure items aren't bunched together, as reported by The English Home. Lay items out separately, unbutton shirts, unzip jackets, and unroll sleeves to promote even drying and prevent creasing. Hang tops from the hem and trousers from the waistband to avoid unwanted stretching. Delicate knitwear should be laid flat to dry, as suspending wet jumpers can cause them to lose their shape. For shirts, hanging them tidily on coat hangers works well, or if using clothes pegs, fastening them along the bottom edge helps keep creases at bay and makes putting them away simpler.
