Households risk ruining their laundry outside with common mistake

Brits making the most of the summer sunshine are being warned to take extra care when hanging their laundry outside. Drying your washing in the fresh air can help cut energy bills, keep your home cooler and leave clothes smelling fresher. It can also be gentler on fabrics than using a tumble dryer, helping clothes last longer.

However, there’s a common mistake that countless people make while hanging up their laundry, according to the experts at Brabantia, who caution that your most treasured garments could potentially be ruined.

Speaking to Ideal Homes about the problem with clothes pegs, the expert 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.”

As pegs clamp onto clothing in one concentrated area, they can place unnecessary stress on the fabric. Over time, this may lead to stubborn creases or dents, shiny marks, stretched shoulders and necklines, and even colour fading.

How to protect your clothes

According to fashion experts at Superdry, to help protect delicate items, it is best to ditch clothes pegs altogether. However, avoid leaving laundry unattended outside in windy conditions, as garments can easily be blown away.

They suggest using an indoor drying rack and taking it outside. 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.”

You can also gently reshape garments to smooth out any creases before hanging them out or placing them on a drying rack — which will also reduce the amount of ironing needed.

How to hang your clothes outside

To cut down on ironing, shake clothes before hanging them out and avoid overcrowding, The English Home reported. Spread items out, unbutton shirts, unzip jackets and unroll sleeves to help them dry evenly and reduce creases.

Hang tops from the bottom and trousers from the waistband to prevent stretching. Delicate knitwear should be dried flat, as hanging wet jumpers can stretch them out of shape.

For shirts, drying them neatly on hangers or, if you still choose to use clothes pegs, then clipping shirts by the bottom edge can help minimise wrinkles and make them easier to put away.