IT’S that time of year when you can finally dry your laundry outside and save a few quid on heating costs.
But if hanging your clothes out to dry on the washing line takes too much time – this hack could be for you.
Brittany shared her savvy hack on Instagram with fellow cleaning fans[/caption]
The hack is perfect for summer and getting clothes washed and put away in a hurry[/caption]
The hack means you don’t have to mess around with clothing pegs either[/caption]
Cleaning whizz Brittany Macdonald took to social media to share her clever hack, and it will save you both time and money.
She told Instagram users: “Does anyone else hang their washing out like this, on the hangers?”
Brittany then showed her freshly washed clothes hanging from the washing line in her garden, but rather than hanging them directly on the line she used clothes hangers.
It’s a pretty clever when you think about it – not only are the clothes ready to go straight into your wardrobe once they’re dry, but you can just scoop them all up in one go.
“Been doing this hack for years,” Brittany said.
“Plus you can hang them all in the lounge while watching TV instead of standing in the sun,” she added.
Of course, the hack might not be the best way to dry certain items of clothing.
For example, heavy jumpers might go out of shape if left to dry on a hanger, but the trick is perfect for lighter garments.
Brittany’s handy hack quickly went viral on social media and currently has over 2.4 million views.
One person commented: “I’m going to steal this idea and tell my family I came up with it.”
And a second said: “Where the hell was this information 10 years ago?”
“Not gonna lie, that’s the best hack I’ve seen in ages,” a third wrote.
And a fourth chimed in: “Genuinely, this is genius.”
“Why have I never thought of this? Game changer,” another wrote.
Meanwhile, someone else said they’ve been using the trick for years: “I do this with button shirts and if it starts to rain you can get those clothes off really quickly.”
HOW TO DRY CLOTHES OUTSIDE WITH NO SUN
You can still dry your clothes outside when the sun isn’t shining, Netweather broadcaster Jo Farrow previously told Fabulous.
In fact, the weather expert said the most important factor is wind speed and not air temperature when drying washing.
She explained: “I think as a nation we’ve slipped into being over-reliant on tumble dryers and it’s not kind to our pockets.
“During the winter months, it’s very easy to get out of the habit of hanging your washing out on the line.”
According to the pro, many people believe it’s too wet or too windy for a large part of the year in the UK to hang clothes outside, but actually, even when temperatures are as low as five degrees, you can dry laundry.
WATCH THE FORECAST
The most favourable weather conditions for drying laundry are warm temperatures with no rain, no dampness and a gentle breeze.
However, even on a day that starts off wet or when showers are forecast, there are usually still brief opportunities to dry laundry outside as our UK weather is so changeable.
The frustration of nearly bone-dry washing getting soaked by a downpour is real, so the pro said it’s crucial to understand the weather forecast on these days.
She added: “Low cloud can give drizzle or patchy rain, and on a grey day when this kind of weather sets in.
“Fog is essentially a cloud on the ground, but it will soon clear if the breeze picks up or the sun is strong enough.
“It can be worth hanging out laundry in early fog or grey low cloud, but it is a gamble. Study the weather forecast on these days.”
ADAPT YOUR LOADS
If rain is on the way, opt for quick-drying fabrics to dry outside.
Synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon will dry quickly because these fabrics give up moisture and dry faster than natural fibres.
Cotton can take longer to dry, so save washing denim or towels for days when the forecast is less changeable.
More winter laundry tips
Tackling laundry in the winter can be a challenge, but these handy tips can help you stay on top of it:
- Use a Dehumidifier: Place a dehumidifier in your drying area to speed up the drying process and prevent dampness.
- Spin Cycle Boost: Run an extra spin cycle on your washing machine to remove excess water from clothes, reducing drying time.
- Indoor Drying Rack: Invest in a good-quality indoor drying rack and position it near a radiator or in a well-ventilated room.
- Tumble Dryer Balls: Add tumble dryer balls to your dryer to help clothes dry faster and reduce static cling.
- Space-Saving Hangers: Use space-saving hangers or a retractable washing line to maximise indoor drying space.
- Microfibre Towels: Lay microfibre towels over your drying rack to absorb extra moisture from hanging clothes.
- Partially Dry Outside: On dry days, hang clothes outside for a short period before bringing them in to finish drying.
These hacks can help you keep your laundry routine efficient and your clothes fresh, even during the colder months.
