One benefit of hot summer weather is that you can hang your clothes to dry outside rather than cluttering your home with clothing horses and drying racks. However, this may not be the perfect solution, with some experts now warning that there’s one common mistake that could be causing problems with your clothes.
According to the experts at Superdrug, you should not be using pegs when hanging clothes out to dry. They warned: “Take caution when using clothes pegs, as they can leave unsightly and potentially permanent pressure marks on delicate fabrics. To protect delicate items, avoid using clothes pegs altogether, and be careful not to leave items outside in the wind, as they could be blown away.”
They’ve also warned that while hanging clothes outside can have some benefits, with sunlight helping to kill bacteria and keeping your whites looking sparkling, it can also lead to some “wear and tear” thanks to heat exposure.
To add to the whitening effect, the experts further advise: “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.”
Laundry experts at Vileda have echoed Superdrug’s advice, also sharing the best methods for drying clothes outside.
- Trousers:– The best way to hang trousers is to fold them over the clothesline at the waistband. This helps to reduce creasing.
- Jumpers: Avoid hanging jumpers by the shoulders, as this can cause stretching and misshaping. Instead, fold your jumper lengthwise and drape both sides evenly over the line.
- Dresses: You can fold the dress in half lengthwise and hang it over the line like a pair of trousers.
- Sweatshirts: Treat sweaters the same way as jumpers, folding them in half lengthwise and draping them over the line.