Families urged to stop using clothes pegs this summer

With scorching summer temperatures in full swing, there's no better time to dry washing outside. But, clothing experts have warned that drying your washing outside could cause damage to them. While everyone usually rushes to dry their washing outside rather than use hangers indoors, it’s not all good news.

Drying clothes outside can be quicker and helps your clothes smell fresher but pegs could create other issues. Throughout summer, you’ll likely be putting your washing outside but there's a couple of tips from clothing brand Superdry that are worth taking into consideration.

Superdry says: “Take caution when using clothes pegs, as they can leave unsightly and potentially permanent pressure marks on delicate fabrics.”

It adds that to protect delicate items, you should avoid using clothes pegs altogether and be careful not to leave items outside in the wind as they could be blown away.

The high-street brand says: “Additionally, you can enhance the whitening effect further by lightly spritzing clothes with white vinegar before hanging them outdoors, helping the sun to keep your whites looking fresh.

“However, some fabrics will become stiff if dried in this way, especially those made from natural fibres like cotton.

“To avoid this, trying partly drying outside and finish off with a few minutes in the tumble dryer.”

You can also gently pull garments into shape to remove creases before hanging out or placing them on the drying rack and you'll reduce the amount of ironing needed, which is always handy.

One suggestion is to move your clothes airer outside which will have the same effect as drying your washing on the line.

By taking this into consideration, you can ensure your clothes won't take any damage.