Households enjoying the summer weather are being advised to take extra care when drying their laundry outside. Air-drying washing can help cut energy costs, keep homes cooler and leave clothes smelling fresher.
It is also kinder to fabrics than tumble drying, helping garments last longer and stay in better condition. However, there is a common error that many people commit when pegging out their washing, according to experts at Brabantia, who caution that favourite clothes could end up damaged.
Clothes pegs can damage fabrics
Discussing the problem with clothes pegs in conversation with Ideal Homes, the specialist 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."
"Because pegs grip fabric in one concentrated area, they can place undue stress on the material. Over time, this can lead to stubborn creases or indentations, shiny marks, misshapen shoulders and necklines, and even colour fading."
How to protect your clothes
According to fashion experts at Superdry, to help protect delicate garments, it is best to ditch clothes pegs altogether. That said, do not leave washing unattended outside on blustery days, as items can easily blow away.
They suggest utilising an indoor drying rack before moving it outdoors. 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 is also advisable to gently reshape garments to iron out any wrinkles before pegging them out or positioning them on a drying rack — a straightforward technique that can dramatically cut down on ironing time.
How to hang your clothes outside
To keep pressing to a bare minimum, give garments a thorough shake before pegging them out and resist overcrowding items, advises The English Home. Space everything properly, unfasten shirts, open up zippers on jackets and straighten out sleeves to promote uniform drying and fewer creases.
Suspend tops from their lower edge and trousers from the waist to avoid any unwelcome stretching. Fragile knitted garments ought to be laid flat to dry, as suspending damp jumpers can lead to them becoming misshapen.
When it comes to shirts, drying them carefully on coat hangers proves especially effective, or if you would rather stick with clothes pegs, fastening shirts by their bottom seam can reduce creasing and make storing them away considerably easier.
