How to Hang Clothes on a Clothesline
Watch our video demonstration titled “How to Hang Clothes On a Clothesline” on YouTube for a step-by-step visual guide.
Line drying is a skill worth learning. Whether you’re aiming to save money, reduce your environmental footprint, or simply enjoy the clean scent that only outdoor drying gives, learning to hang clothes the proper way makes a big difference. Many people try it once or twice and stop because the results are stiff, wrinkled clothes. The good news is that with a few techniques and a little practice, you can achieve soft, wrinkle-free laundry almost every time.
There is an art to hanging clothes on a line. It may look straightforward, but a few common mistakes lead to uneven drying, creases, and extra work when it’s time to fold. Over time you can learn to hang a full load quickly—often in about five minutes—and remove it just as fast, with results comparable to machine-dried items.
Key things to know before you start
These tips help keep clothes soft and reduce wrinkles. You can adopt one or several of them depending on what works best for your routine.
- Use a short tumble before hanging when possible. If you have a dryer, a five-minute fluff cycle before line drying warms fibers and removes some moisture, making items softer without running a full cycle. When you don’t have a dryer, choose a breezy day for line drying—wind helps soften fabric in much the same way.
- Give each item a quick shake or snap. Before you put a shirt or pant on the line, shake it sharply to remove folds. For shirts or long pant legs, hold from the bottom and snap upward as you move from the basket to the line. This simple motion reduces creasing and speeds up hanging. Small items like socks and underwear generally don’t need a snap.
- Use a softening agent if you prefer. Fabric softener keeps items feeling softer; distilled white vinegar is an effective natural alternative if you prefer not to use commercial softeners.
- Prevent sun fading by being mindful of exposure. If you live in a very sunny, dry climate, turn dark garments inside out to reduce fading. Bring clothes in promptly once they’re dry. White and light-colored items benefit from sun exposure and can be left out longer to brighten.
- Have clothespins and a clothespin bag or apron ready. A clothespin apron or bag keeps pins close at hand and speeds the process. You can buy one or make a simple apron with two roomy pockets that tie around your waist for easy access while hanging items.
Prepare before you step outside
Getting organized inside speeds up line drying and makes folding easier later. Many of the best results begin at the washer or dryer. A little pre-sorting saves time outdoors and helps avoid repeated trips to the basket.
Sort roughly as you fold into the laundry basket. Pull large items—sheets, towels and tablecloths—first and fold them so they’re ready to hang. Folding sheets in half and placing them in the basket by corners makes it quick to pick them up and hang without extra handling.
Prepare pants and jeans by folding the legs together. Fold along the seams, then in half, and place them on top of the larger items so they’re ready to drape over the line in the correct orientation.
Group like items together. Stack t-shirts, shirts, hand towels and similar items in separate piles. Place them into the basket with the largest items on the bottom and smallest on top so you can hang similar pieces in sequence without returning to the basket.
Stack small items for efficiency. Lay washcloths, dishrags and underwear in a flat pile with corners aligned so you can carry and pin several at once. Align socks with toes together so you can hang a short stack quickly along the line.
Start simple if you’re new to line drying. Practice basic hanging techniques first, then add these organizing steps as you become more comfortable. The combination of good preparation and simple hanging tricks drastically reduces wrinkles and accelerates drying.
I’ll share pictorial instructions and item-by-item hanging tips in a follow-up post.
-Jill
Video demonstration
Video demonstration titled “How to Hang Clothes On a Clothesline” (search on video platforms for the exact title).
More tips for home organization and laundry care are available in our practical e-book collection that covers organizing, cleaning and handling laundry efficiently to reduce stress and clutter.
A favorite poem about the clothesline
The Clothesline Said So Much
Author UnknownA clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.For then you’d see the fancy sheets
And towels on the line;
You’d see the company table clothes
With intricate design.The line announced a baby’s birth
To folks who lived inside
As brand new infant clothes were hung
So carefully with pride.The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed
You’d know how much they’d grown.It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.It said, “Gone on vacation now”
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, “We’re back!” when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare.New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy gray,
As neighbors raised their brows,
And looked disgustedly away.But clotheslines now are of the past
For dryers make work less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody’s guess.I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!
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