Hang drying your clothes has four big benefits:
- 1. Preserves fabric integrity
- 2. Prevents shrinkage
- 3. Maximizes the fragrance of your laundry detergent
- 4. Cuts down on home energy costs
We get it: Throwing your laundry in the dryer is the pinnacle of convenience. You press a button, walk away, and come back to warm, fluffy clothes. Perfect for those days when you just need your lucky shirt dry ASAP. But modern convenience isn’t always the best move for longevity. That’s where hang drying your laundry comes in.
Hang drying your clothes might take more time, but it pays off in ways that go beyond just avoiding a shrunken sweater. It keeps your clothes looking fresh, extends the fragrance life of your laundry detergent, and even saves you money.
If the thought of stiff, cardboard-like jeans is giving you pause, don’t worry—we’re covering the right way to air dry your clothes so they come out feeling just as good as they look.
4 Benefits of Hang Drying Your Laundry
Air drying isn’t a throwback to your grandma’s backyard laundry setup—it’s a strategic move. When done correctly, it keeps your clothes in prime condition, makes your laundry smell better, and slashes your energy bill.
1. Preserve Fabric Integrity
Your clothes go through enough trauma—worn, stretched, stuffed into a gym bag, crammed into an overhead bin. The last thing they need is a tumble in a scorching hot metal dryer drum.
Hang drying spares your fabrics from unnecessary stress, helping them maintain their structure, elasticity, and overall lifespan. That means fewer stretched-out collars, pilled sweaters, and mysteriously misshapen shirts.
2. Prevent Shrinkage
Ever pulled your favorite cotton shirt out of the dryer only to realize it’s now two sizes too small? You can blame the heat from your dryer. Air drying keeps garments at their natural size, so you don’t have to play the guessing game every time you do laundry.
3. Maximize the Fragrance of Your Laundry Detergent
Dryers are notorious for dulling your detergent’s fragrance. Heat breaks down the scent molecules, so by the time your laundry’s done tumbling, that rich, intoxicating scent you started with is a ghost of its former self.
That’s a major buzz kill, especially if you’re using Laundry Sauce’s luxuriously scented detergent pods.
Hang drying, on the other hand, lets your clothes hold onto every last note of that expertly crafted scent. No heat damage, no premature fade—just the full, powerful and long-lasting effect of your Laundry Sauce fragrance.
4. Cuts Down on Energy Costs
The dryer is one of the biggest energy suckers in your home, second only to whatever’s currently inflating your electric bill (probably your AC). Skipping the dryer even part of the time can add up, cutting down your utility costs and making your home just a little more energy efficient.
How to Hang Dry Your Laundry
Before you start throwing damp clothes over every chair in your apartment, let’s get one thing straight: there’s a right way to do this. Follow these steps to make sure your clothes dry efficiently, look good, and don’t take on that weird musty smell.
1. Get the Proper Gear
If you’re serious about hang drying, invest in the right setup. For indoor drying, we recommend a collapsible drying rack to save space. If you’re drying outdoors, opt for a coated clothesline to prevent rust (and those dreaded mystery stains).
And while you might be tempted to use whatever clothespins are lying around, go for old-school wooden ones—they won’t rust, won’t stain, and won’t break the second you clip them onto a pair of jeans.
2. Shake Out Each Item to Reduce Wrinkles
Don’t just throw your damp clothes on the rack and call it a day. Give each item a good shake before hanging it up—this helps smooth out wrinkles and prevents that unfortunate "crumpled pile" look.
3. Sort by Fabric Type
Take a second to sort your clothes by fabric type—just like you (hopefully) do with whites and colors before washing. Sturdy materials like cotton and linen can go straight to the line, no fuss. More delicate fabrics—looking at you, wool and silk—are better laid flat to dry, so set those aside while you handle the items that can be hung right away.
4. Hang by Size
Think of your drying rack like a well-organized closet. Start by hanging heavier items like jeans and towels on the bottom rack, then hang lighter-weight garments like t-shirts and workout clothes higher up.
Pro Tip: Leave a couple of inches of space between each garment to ensure proper airflow. If your clothes are touching, they’re not drying—they’re just marinating in dampness.
5. Wait 6-8 Hours Until Your Items Are Fully Dry
Now all you have to do is hang tight until your laundry is fully dry. Depending on humidity levels and airflow inside your home, drying times vary. But rushing the process can lead to half-dry, musty-smelling clothes. Give them time, and they’ll reward you with a fresh, clean feel.
Common Questions About Hang Drying Laundry
If you’re still skeptical about ditching the dryer, here’s what you need to know.
Is It Better to Hang Dry Clothes Instead of Using a Dryer?
Hang drying is definitely better if you want your clothes to last longer and smell better. That said, if you need something dry immediately, the dryer isn’t your enemy—just use a lower heat setting.
What Clothes Should You Not Hang Dry?
Heavy knit sweaters can stretch out if they’re hung incorrectly, so lay them flat to dry instead. Same goes for delicate lingerie—gravity isn’t always your friend.
What Is the Most Efficient Way to Hang Clothes to Dry?
A well-spaced drying rack in a room with good airflow (next to a window or outside in the sun) is your best bet. The more air circulation, the faster your clothes dry.
Should You Hang Dry Your Clothes Inside Out?
Yes, it’s ideal to hang-dry clothes inside out, especially if you’re drying them outdoors. It prevents sun fading and helps keep prints looking fresh.
Is It Better to Hang Dry Your Clothes Inside or Outside?
If you’ve got the option, outdoor hang drying is the way to go—sunlight is a natural disinfectant and helps eliminate odors. Just keep an eye on pollen levels (or rogue birds).
The Best-Smelling Laundry Deserves the Best Treatment
If you’re putting in the effort to use the best-smelling laundry detergent in the game (ahem, Laundry Sauce), it only makes sense to preserve that scent for as long as possible. Hang drying keeps your clothes fresher, longer—and considering all the other benefits, it’s a habit worth adopting.
That said, if you don’t want to give up on your dryer—we totally understand. That's why we made our scent booster, dryer sheets, and fabric refresher spray to increase the strength and longevity of your favorite Laundry Sauce fragrance.
