Drying your laundry outdoors is one of the best things about summer and the warmer weather. However, many people are making a mistake when it comes to drying their clothes
Soaking up the summer sun whilst hanging out your washing seems like a dream but a common blunder could wreak havoc on your favourite threads.
Renowned fashion brand Superdry has flagged up a laundry howler that many of us are making, which may be inadvertently shortening the life of our clothes. According to the style gurus, when it’s time to dry certain items, forget about clothes pegs. And while the power of nature is great for drying clothes (sunlight can also keep items white and kill bacteria), it can also harm clothes through “wear and tear caused by heat exposure”, reports the Express.
They cautioned against the use of pegs: “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 also shared a nifty tip for a dazzling white finish: “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, trying partly drying outside and finish off with a few minutes in the tumble dryer.”
You can also gently pull garments into shape to remove creases before hanging out or placing on the drying rack – which will additionally reduce the amount of ironing needed, making life easier.
Laundry experts at Vileda second this advice. Moreover, they have shared more detailed guidance on the best methods for hanging specific items of clothing so they won’t get damaged on the line:
- 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.