The hidden benefits of line drying your laundry

When you think about the benefits of line drying your washing, the main thing that springs to mind is the money you’ll save by not running the tumble dryer. But there are plenty of other excellent reasons to hang your clothes out to dry that have nothing to do with your electricity bill. Let’s take a look at them.

It’s gentler on clothes

Hanging your clothes on the line helps to keep them looking new for longer. As your garments jostle around inside your dryer, they rub against each other and the dryer walls, increasing wear. Hot dryer cycles can also cause some fabrics to shrink or go out of shape.

You’ll do less ironing

Having your clothes scrunched up in a hot dryer can set in wrinkles that you then need to iron out. When you hang your clothes and bed sheets on the line, the weight of the water helps to pull out the wrinkles and keeps the washing flat as it dries. To maximise this effect, hang your pants by the ankles and your shirts by the hem.

Your whites will be whiter

The sun acts as a natural bleaching agent thanks to the UV rays that break down the molecular structure of stains. A couple of hours on the line will help to keep your whites nice and bright. Conversely, if you tumble dry a stained garment, the heat will help to set in the stain.

It’s hygienic

UV rays also have germ-busting capabilities. Specifically, the UV-C component of sunlight can help to kill viruses and bacteria – that’s why some hospitals use UV-C machines to sterilise operating theatres. Hanging your laundry on the line will help to get it even cleaner than when it came out of the washing machine!

Your laundry will smell better

Nothing beats the smell of line-dried laundry. Studies have found that the distinctive aroma results from a photochemical reaction that occurs when sunshine and ozone interact with wet washing.

You’ll have less static cling

When you tumble-dry clothes, they rub together and build up electrostatic charge. By hanging your laundry on the line, you avoid creating extra static cling.

You’ll reduce your fire risk

Clothes dryers are a leading cause of house fires. The combination of static electricity and heat can ignite dust, lint, and oils embedded in fabrics. It’s important to clean out your lint trap after every use, make sure the dryer is well-ventilated, and never run it while you are out of the house.

If you’d like to experience the many benefits of line-drying your laundry, take a look at our extensive range of quality clotheslines. From space-saving folding frames and retractable lines to robust rotary head hoist models, we have something to suit properties (and loads of laundry) of any size.