Drying clothes outdoors in summer
Short answer: In summer, washing can dry outside in a few hours, which saves both electricity and time. Sun and wind do most of the work, but strong sunlight can fade colours and a sudden shower can undo half a day of drying. A little knowledge about placement and fabrics makes a real difference.
The benefits of drying outside
Clothes dried outside smell fresh, and the wind softens the fabric so it is less stiff than when dried in still air. Sunlight has a mild bleaching effect that can help white fabrics stay bright. You avoid the tumble dryer, which is hard on elastic and fibres. The moisture also stays outdoors instead of ending up inside your home. On a good summer day with a light breeze, an ordinary machine load is dry in two to four hours.
Sun and colours
Strong sun can fade coloured clothing, especially dark colours and black fabrics. Turn coloured items inside out and hang them in partial shade if you can. White clothing and bedding, on the other hand, can happily hang in full sun. Bring the washing in once it is dry rather than leaving it out all day. Long hours in the sun make fabric stiff and can weaken the fibres over time, so it pays to keep an eye on the line.
Bedding on the line
Sheets and duvet covers are ideal for drying outside, because they take up a lot of room in a tumble dryer and dry evenly in the wind. Hang them double over the line with a little space between the layers so the air can pass through. Shake them out well before hanging so they crease less. A bamboo envelope sheets set dries calmly in the shade and gets a soft surface if you shake it again as you take it down.
Delicate fabrics and stretching
Viscose from bamboo and other soft fabrics can stretch when they hang wet for a long time. Hang jumpers over the line at the middle rather than by the shoulders, or lay them flat on a rack. Put pegs on seams and hems where marks will not show. Heavy items such as a dressing gown need good support, for example spread over two lines. A bamboo dressing gown for men dries well outdoors if you turn it halfway through.
Pollen and insects
If you have a pollen allergy, clothes dried outside can collect pollen during periods with high counts. Check the pollen forecast and dry indoors on the worst days, or shake the washing well before you bring it in. Take the washing in before evening as well, when dew can make it damp again and insects are drawn to pale fabrics. For health questions about allergies, talk to your doctor rather than relying on general advice.
Joggers and sportswear
Joggers and sportswear are washed often in summer and are well suited to drying outdoors. Turn them inside out to protect the colour from the sun. Hang trousers by the waistband and tops over the line so they do not get peg marks on the shoulders. A bamboo jogging suit for men is usually dry within an afternoon if it hangs in a breeze, ready to wear again the next morning.
Frequently asked questions
Does the sun fade clothes
Yes, especially dark colours. Turn coloured items inside out and hang them in partial shade.
How long does it take to dry clothes outside in summer
Usually two to four hours on a day with sun and a light breeze.
How do I stop jumpers stretching on the line
Hang them over the line at the middle or lay them flat, rather than pegging them by the shoulders.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
