How To Hang Bed Sheets On A Washing Line

27 September 2024 | 5 Minute Read - Words By Clare
Want to keep your bed sheets fresh, wrinkle-free, and long-lasting? Discover expert tips on how to hang sheets on a washing line properly, and explore the benefits of outdoor drying.

Table of Contents

  1. How to Hang Bed Sheets on a Washing Line
  2. How to Hang Bed Sheets on a Clothes Line
  3. 5 Tips for Hanging Bed Sheets on a Clothes Line
  4. Hanging Sheets Outside vs Using a Tumble Dryer
  5. FAQs
  6. Final Thoughts

How to Hang Bed Sheets on a Washing Line

There is nothing better than the fresh smell and warm feel of clean sheets that have been left to dry outside in the sun.

But did you know that there is both a wrong and right way to hang sheets on a washing line? If you want to avoid unnecessary wrinkles and unsightly peg marks, you may be interested in the advice we have to offer.

In this article, we'll give you useful tips for drying sheets outside using clothes pegs. We'll also look at some of the benefits of hanging bed sheets outside and answer some of your most frequently asked questions on the topic.

How to Hang Bed Sheets on a Clothes Line

By following these easy steps, you'll learn the best way to hang up your clothes and bedding using a washing line.

1. Make sure you have enough space on your washing line

Before you collect your sheets and duvet covers from the washing machine, make sure you have enough space on the line to hang them up. Take down any dry bed sheets or clothes that may be on the line and plan where you are going to hang the wet laundry.

2. Shake out your sheets before you hang them

As you take your sheets out of the washing machine, make sure to give them a good shake. This helps unwrinkle the sheets before you hang them up.

It can be difficult to shake out large items, especially if you don't have a lot of space available. However, just make sure your sheets don't touch the floor when you're shaking them out.

3. Fold large sheets in half

If you don't have enough height or space to hang large sheets in a single layer, fold them in half before hanging them. When you can, hang smaller sheets in a single layer to reduce their drying time.

4. Keep the top of the sheet straight and flat

Try to keep the top of the sheet straight and flat so that it doesn't sag when hanging on the line. This will allow the sheet to dry faster and avoid any unnecessary creases.

5. Peg the sheets on the ends

Pegs can leave marks on your sheets so you should pin your sheets on the ends so the marks aren't as noticeable. If it's windy, you'll need to add a few more pegs to ensure your sheets don't blow away but try to use plastic pegs with a soft grip to reduce the peg marks.

5 Tips for Hanging Bed Sheets on a Clothes Line

Want some more tips for hanging bed sheets on a clothesline? Here are a few things you can do to streamline the process.

1. Use high-quality plastic pegs

Wooden clothes pegs are known to deteriorate a lot faster than plastic pegs. It's far better to purchase high-quality plastic pegs that offer a soft yet strong grip.

Additionally, ensure your pegs are clean when hanging clothes and bed sheets. If your pegs are dirty, they could end up creating marks on your clean laundry.

2. Use the right wash line

Your washing line should be long enough to handle at least one load of laundry. If it isn't, you should consider installing two lines if you have sufficient space. Pulley lines are the most convenient to use, but any type of line that suits your space will be fine.

3. Hang your sheets before hanging smaller items

When hanging up laundry, you should always hang up the larger items before the small ones. This ensures you have sufficient space for things like sheets and duvet covers. Smaller items like socks and underwear can fill in the gaps.

4. Wash your sheets on a low setting

To keep your sheets in the best possible condition, make sure you wash them on the lowest possible setting. You may also want to invest in a good quality fabric conditioner to keep your sheets soft and expand their lifespan.

5. Keep an eye on the weather

Sheets will dry quickly on a hot sunny day with a light breeze. Try to look at the weather forecast before deciding to do a load of washing as having your laundry rained on could result in you having to do it all over again!

Hanging Sheets Outside vs Using a Tumble Dryer

When it comes to drying bed sheets, you basically have two options. You could hang your bedding outside on a washing line or use a tumble dryer.

Let's have a look at some of the pros and cons of each.

Benefits of hanging bed sheets on a washing line

Environmentally friendly

Unlike tumble drying, line drying doesn't require any additional resources. These days, we all have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and energy consumption when we can. Take the opportunity to use the natural, renewable energy of the sun to dry bed sheets and other items.

Saves money

One of the best parts about drying bed sheets outside is that it's completely free, providing you with one less thing to pay for every month. As tumble drying requires electricity and dryer sheets, the costs can add up quickly.

Keep your whites white

Did you know that hang-drying your bed sheets outside in the sun can help keep your whites whiter? The sun naturally bleaches your towels, sheets, and other bedding, so it's the perfect way to maintain fresh, white bed sheets without using chemical bleach.

Refreshing smell

Is there anything better than the smell of fresh, dry sheets that have just come off the line? There is something about this sunny smell that hits the spot in a way that cannot be explained.

Limits creases

If you hang your wet laundry up properly and give it a good shake as it comes out of the washer, you can actually limit the amount of creases in the fabric. This can save you from having to iron your laundry once it's dried.

Drawbacks of hanging bed sheets on a washing line

Requires good weather

Line drying doesn't require the perfect sunny day. However, your clothes and bedding won't dry outside if it's raining. Cloudy days can also increase the drying time and it's always a good idea to get your laundry on the line a good hour or two before it gets dark.

Time-consuming

Hanging laundry on a line can be time-consuming and requires a bit of physical exertion. However, you can usually finish hanging the laundry in around 10 minutes or so, depending on how big the load is.

Benefits of using a tumble dryer

Convenience

There is definitely something to be said about the convenience of popping your wet laundry in the tumble dryer and simply taking it out when it's done. You don't need the weather to be sunny and you don't need to put in much effort. You could even dry your sheets at night!

Drawbacks of using a tumble dryer

More expensive

Using a tumble dryer means you'll be using a significant amount of electricity as well as dryer sheets. These costs can really add up. As most dryers cause your sheets to wrinkle, you'll also need to spend more time ironing to get out the creases, which requires additional electricity.

Damages your sheets over time

Did you know that tumble drying can reduce the lifespan of your sheets and clothing? The excess heat can really take its toll on the fabric and you may have to replace your bedding more frequently than if you stuck to drying outside.

FAQs

Can I dry bed sheets indoors?

If you don't have space for hanging laundry items outside, you could always hang your sheets inside, provided you have a decent-sized drying rack. Try to hang your laundry in a room that gets sufficient sunlight and good airflow if you want your laundry to dry quickly.

Do I need to iron my sheets after line-drying them?

One of the best things about line drying is that it gets rid of most of the creases and wrinkles in your sheets. However, it's completely up to you whether or not you want to iron your sheets once they have been dried by the sun.

How long does it usually take to dry sheets outside?

Depending on the weather, the drying process should take between an hour and two hours. On cloudy days, your laundry could take slightly longer to dry completely. Make sure your sheets, towels, and clothes are 100% dry before removing them from the line.

Final Thoughts

Hanging your sheets up is the correct and best way to reduce creases and wrinkles. It can also result in a quicker drying time and a range of other benefits. Thankfully, you can also streamline your washing and drying processes by implementing some of the helpful tips listed in this article.

Here at Belledorm, we offer a wide range of bedding, including sheets, duvet covers, duvets, pillows, protectors, and much more. It is our aim to ensure you get a peaceful sleep every night with our high-quality products to suit every preference and budget.

Feel free to browse our range online and don't forget to implement our advice when it comes to drying your new Belledorm sheets if you want them to stand the test of time.

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