Have you ever pulled your favorite shirt from the dryer only to find it’s now perfect for a doll? Ouch! We’ve all been there. Standing with a pile of wet clothes and wondering what to do next isn’t fun, especially when the power’s out or your electricity bill is sky-high. Here in Awka, where power can be spotty, hanging drying clothes saves money and keeps your clothes looking good longer.
Drying your clothes outside isn’t complicated, It’s so simple and we are going to walk you through simple steps on how to hang dry clothes. Once you get the hang of it, you might wonder why you’ve ever bothered with a dryer in the first place.
Let’s get started!
Why Should You Hang Dry?
Before we dive in, let’s talk about why hanging your clothes outside to dry is important. For starters, it’s gentle on your clothes. Also, for each you use a dryer, there’s actually tiny bits of your clothes wearing away and you can see it in your washing machine after laundry!
Lastly, drying clothes on a line uses less energy, which helps save money and is good for the planet.
What You’ll Need
You don’t need fancy equipment to hang dry clothes. Here’s the basic stuff:
- A clothesline or drying rack
- Clothespins or hangers
- Pegs or hooks
- A well-ventilated space (indoors or outdoors)
- A little bit of patience
How to Hang Dry Clothes
Now to the best stuff, ‘how to hang dry clothes’, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Shake It Out
If you just pull your clothes from the washing machine or bowl if you’re hand washing, then give each item a good shake before hanging. This helps get rid of wrinkles or folds, water and hasten up the drying process. Trust me, this quick five-second step makes a big difference.
Step 2: Choose Where to Hang
You’ve got options here:
- Outdoors: The classic clothesline or rope in your backyard works wonders on sunny days
- Indoors: Use a foldable rack, shower rod, or even doorknobs to hand the clothes in your room in a spacious place within your room.
If you’re hanging stuff indoors, pick a spot with good airflow. Near an open window or fan is perfect. Avoid damp areas like the bathroom where there’s little or no airflow.
Step 3: Hang Each Item The Right Way
How you hang your clothes matters a lot:
- For shirts and dresses: Hang them by the bottom hem with two pegs or clips, or use a hanger. Hanging shirts upside down prevents those annoying clip marks on the shoulders where everyone can see them.
- For pants and jeans: Fold them over the line at the waistband, or hang them upside down by the ankles. This makes them dry faster and keeps the heavy waistband from stretching out.
- For socks and underwear: These small items are pegs or clips champions. Just clip them at one edge and you’re good to go.
- For towels and sheets: Fold these big items in half before hanging to save space.
Step 4: Give Everything Some Breathing Room
Don’t crowd your clothes together on a single line. Leave a little space between each item so air can flow around them. Crowded clothes take forever to dry and might start smelling and that’s something you wouldn’t want.
Step 5: Bring It All In
How do you know when your clothes are dry? You’d know by touching or feeling them. If they feel completely dry and not a bit cold or damp to the touch, they’re ready to come down. Don’t leave clothes out too long in direct sun or they might fade.
How to Hang Clothes to Dry Outside
Nothing beats the fresh smell of clothes dried in the sunshine! Here’s how to do it right:
- Pick the perfect spot: Find somewhere with good airflow that gets plenty of sun. Your balcony, backyard, or even that small space by your window can work.
- Check the weather: Nobody wants to rush outside to grab their almost-dry clothes because rain started falling. Always keep an eye out for weather changes, so you remove your clothes before the rain comes down.
- Hang them early: Morning is your best friend when it comes to drying your clothes outside. Hang your clothes early so they have the whole day to dry.
- Space them out: Don’t crowd your clothes together like passengers in a Lagos danfo. Give each item breathing room so they dry faster.
- Turn clothes inside out: If you want to prevent fading of your clothes, hang them inside out to protect them from direct sunlight.
Have you noticed how clothes dried outside smell so much better? That’s nature’s fabric softener working its magic.
How to Hang Dry Clothes Indoors
Here’s how you can hang your clothes indoors:
- Find good air circulation: Set up near a window or fan. Moving air is key.
- Use a shower rod: Your bathroom shower rod is perfect for hanging clothes when you’re not showering.
- Door frames work too: Those over-the-door hangers are lifesavers in small spaces.
- Try a collapsible rack: These are super convenient if you have limited space in your apartment.
- Check for dripping: Place a towel underneath if your clothes are very wet to catch the drips.
How to Hang Dry Clothes Without Hanger Marks
Don’t you hate those annoying little bumps that hangers leave on your shoulders? Here’s how to avoid them:
- Use padded hangers: They’re gentler on your clothes and distribute weight better.
- Try the towel trick: Wrap the ends of your hangers with small towels or fabric scraps.
- Hang shirts from the bottom: Clip them at the hem using pegs or clips instead of hanging from the shoulders.
- Use multiple hangers: For heavy items like sweaters, use two hangers to spread the weight.
- Reshape while damp – Gently pull and shape your clothes while they’re still slightly wet.
How to Hang Dry Clothes Without Wrinkles
Nobody wants to look like they slept in their clothes! Here’s how to keep things smooth:
- Shake it out – Give wet clothes a good shake before hanging to remove wrinkles.
- Don’t twist or wring – This can distort the fabric. Press between towels instead to remove excess water.
- Hang shirts by the bottom hem – Use clothespins to clip them upside down.
- Smooth with your hands – Take a few seconds to straighten seams and flatten pockets.
- Spray lightly with water – If wrinkles form, a light mist and gentle pulling can help them disappear.
How to Hang Clothes to Dry Without Stretching
Nothing’s worse than your perfect-fitting clothes turning into saggy messes.Here’s how to prevent stretching:
- Fold heavy items over the line: Don’t hang sweaters or heavy cotton items by their shoulders or they’ll stretch out.
- Lay on a flat surface: dry your sweaters and other heavy or delicate clothes on a towel over a drying rack.
- Support the weight: When hanging jeans, clip them by the waistband, not the legs.
- Clip, don’t pin: Use clips or pegs that grip rather than poke through fabric.
- Reshape while damp – Take a minute to gently reshape items to their original form while its wet because once it’s dry, you’d have to iron them.
Wrapping Up
At Bukz Easy Clean, we know a thing or two about proper laundry care and we’re happy to handle your laundry needs.
If you need help with stubborn stains or special clothes? Our team is just a call or chat away for all your laundry needs in Awka and surrounding areas.
