Outdoor drying of clothes can save on the energy costs associated with using electric drying racks or dryers, and also allows clothes to emit a fresher scent. However, the clothespins commonly used for hanging clothes outdoors can sometimes leave marks, soil the clothes, and even create fading patches, resembling damage to the entire garment, especially if the fabric is of high quality. Fortunately, experts have shared several methods to help you address this issue.
According to a report from the UK’s “Ideal Home” website, although wooden and plastic clothespins excel in securing clothing, especially in windy conditions, the marks left by clothespins can be more damaging than you may think.
Laundry expert Lauren Roelofs says, “While clothespins are essential tools for laundry, they can sometimes leave marks or fine wrinkles on clothes, especially when clipped too tightly or left on the clothesline for too long. This can be frustrating when you want to wear clothes directly after taking them off the clothesline.”
Another laundry expert, Laura Marsden, suggests that this problem can be easily solved by making slight adjustments to daily habits for better results.
Several experts have provided some methods to address this issue, as outlined below:
Marsden suggests that one of the simplest ways to prevent clothespin marks is to flip the clothes before hanging them. “This not only reduces visible marks but also helps prevent fading due to sun exposure, which is particularly important for dark-colored clothes.”
For shirts, blouses, and other delicate fabrics, experts recommend using hangers for hanging instead of clothespins to avoid leaving marks or creating wrinkles at the fold lines.
Marsden adds, “For delicate fabrics, it’s best not to use clothespins at all. Using hangers to hang clothes can avoid leaving marks and help maintain the shape of the garment.”
Roelofs suggests using clothespins on sturdier parts of the garment such as seams, hemlines, or waist to prevent marks. Even if marks are left, they are less noticeable than pins left on the chest or shoulders.
If clothespins do leave subtle marks, they are less conspicuous at the bottom edge of the garment. Additionally, hanging the clothes in this manner helps them dry more evenly and flat.
She also recommends hanging T-shirts upside down and clipping the waist of trousers when hanging them.
Marsden agrees with this approach, suggesting clipping trousers at the hemline, where any marks left will be more discreet.
For heavier garments like knits and dresses, it’s best to drape them over the clothesline instead of using clothespins. Marsden says folding the garment before hanging can distribute the weight, preventing fabric stretching from single-point pressure caused by using clothespins.
She advises against hanging sweaters from the shoulders as it can cause stretching. The correct method is to fold sweaters vertically and hang them evenly on the clothesline.
If clothes must be directly pinned to the clothesline, using clothespins with soft pads can help alleviate pressure on the fabric. These wider clips distribute the pressure more evenly, reducing the likelihood of leaving marks.
Heather Nixon, Development and Regulation Manager at the environmentally friendly cleaning brand Bio-D, suggests, “There are clothespins designed specifically to minimize marks; look for styles with soft padding.”
Using a portable drying rack outdoors instead of hanging all clothes on the clothesline allows delicate garments to be laid flat or gently draped over the bars without the need for clothespins, while still enjoying the fresh air and gentle breeze.
Roelofs mentions that some drying racks come with dedicated sun-drying platforms suitable for delicate clothing.
You might ask, why not dry clothes indoors on a drying rack to avoid the issue of clothespin marks? Experts have previously stated that drying clothes indoors in poorly ventilated areas can increase the growth of mold, which is harmful to health and can even lead to death. (Further reading: Why Does Indoor Clothes Drying Affect Health? Experts Explain.)