31 Mar 2026
Line drying in all weathers cheat sheet:
- Line drying is free, fresh, & planet-friendly.
- Sun, wind and even winter air can all get clothes dry.
- Pegs matter. So does placement.
- Protect colours, speed things up and dodge stiff socks with a few simple tricks.
- Weather excuses? We’ve got answers.
Line drying might seem old school, but it’s basically the gold standard for your clothes and the planet.
- Zero energy use (your tumble dryer can’t say the same).
- Clothes last longer (no shrinking, fading or heat damage).
- Smells fresher (science says UV + fresh air = new fragrance molecules).
- Costs nothing (except a bit of peg time).
And yes. You really CAN line dry year-round with our ultimate line-drying guide 101.
How to line dry like a pro.
1. Shake it off.
Always try to give your clothes a quick shake before pegging them up. It smooths out the fibres, prevents fabric stiffness and helps them dry more evenly.
2. Space it out.
Leave a gap between each item so air can flow between them. This should help avoid any damp-patch-discoveries when you bring the laundry in later.
3. Peg with purpose.
Hang tops from the bottom to avoid shoulder bumps. Peg socks in pairs to make putting away even easier. And always clip heavier items at the thickest seam so they don’t sag.
4. Embrace the breeze.
Try to angle your items so the wind catches them at the broadest surface. The more air movement you can achieve across your clothing, the faster things will dry.
5. Protect your colours.
To stop the sun fading bright colours or darks, turn your clothes inside out or dry them in the partial shade.
Line drying in sunshine.
So when it comes to hot summer days… life is easy. In fact it’s laundry line-drying heaven. The UV light from the sun’s rays even acts as a natural disinfectant, while any breeze will whip away moisture quick sharp.
Top tip: your whites will love drying outside in the sun because the UV helps keep them bright.
Line drying on cloudy days.
No sunshine? No problem.
Clothes dry because of airflow as much as heat. Even a grey breezy day can dry a load surprisingly fast.
Top tip: keep items spaced out.
Line drying in winter.
Cold air can still dry laundry. The process is slower, but evaporation happens regardless of temperature. Wind is your best friend.
Top tip: if it’s frosty, bring items in overnight so they don’t freeze solid (although fun fact: frozen laundry will still dry as ice crystals still evaporate via a process called sublimation).
Line-drying in all weathers FAQs.
Will laundry really dry outside in winter?
Yes! It just takes longer. Wind and low humidity are more important than temperature.
Won’t my clothes get stiff?
A little. But shaking before and after pegging (plus using fabric conditioner) helps. And a 5-minute tumble at the end softens really stubborn items.
What if it rains?
Have a backup plan: a covered line, rotary dryer with canopy, or bring things inside. And check the forecast before you peg things out!
How do I stop colours fading?
Turn clothes inside out or dry in shade. Whites, on the other hand, love direct sun.
Is line drying really greener than tumble drying?
Yes. Line drying uses zero carbon. A typical tumble dryer can use around 3kWh¹ per cycle (around 1.8 kg CO₂ per load), so every line-dry saves energy and emissions.
So whether it’s summer sunshine, a blustery autumn day, or a crisp winter morning… grab your pegs. Line drying is free, fresh, and easier on your clothes. Whatever the weather, there’s always a way to let nature do the drying.
¹ EnergySage. Average dryer (used 3x per week) consumes 468 kWh/year, which is 3 kWh per load.
Catherine Green, Cleaning Expert
Catherine has been on a mission to revolutionise the way we tackle chores since the dawn of smol is an advocate for making more sustainable living accessible to all with a strong focus in cleaning that’s heavy on dirt, lighter on the planet. Catherine has tested hundreds of hacks to make tackling chores easier, safer, and better for the planet.
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