Fresh air, sunshine and fluttering clothes: drying laundry outside is the epitome of an eco-friendly lifestyle. There’s no electricity consumption or heat from the dryer, just the power of the sun. However, as idyllic as this may seem, sunlight is not only a source of energy; it is also a chemical agent. IMAGE © Matthew Ashmore | Stock.Adobe.com

Drying laundry outside: the most common mistake

Hanging wet laundry in direct sunlight. This is not recommended, especially for coloured laundry, as intense UV radiation can cause fading. Coloured and black fabrics can fade under intense UV radiation. The reason: UV light promotes a process known as photodegradation. This is a chemical change to the colour molecules in clothing caused by high-energy UV rays, especially when combined with moisture. The result is that colours fade and whites may even take on a yellowish tinge.

Tip: You can avoid this by hanging your clothes in a semi-shaded place, ideally inside out. Drying in the shade is also effective, just allow more time as it is gentler on fabrics and colours.

Drying laundry indoors?

What if there’s no space outside? In summer, drying indoors is no problem, provided you keep a few things in mind.

• The laundry should be well spun (after eco-friendly washing).
• A room with a window is ideal, preferably with cross ventilation through two windows.
• The basement, on the other hand, is usually too damp.

It’s different in winter: Ideally, you should avoid drying laundry indoors, as the moisture can easily lead to mould growth.

On a personal note, I don’t think underwear belongs on the washing line in the garden – a little privacy is permitted even with a sustainable lifestyle. 😉