Warning to anyone drying washing outside this summer - 1 thing ruins clothes

Drying clothes outside is a popular summertime chore, offering fresh air and lower energy bills. But have you considered what all that direct sunlight is really doing to your favourite garments? It turns out that those intense rays might be doing more harm than good.

A cleaning expert from Lenor warned that prolonged sun exposure can ruin light and dark clothes. So, before you hang your next load on the line, it's worth understanding the potential damage that might occur to your clothes. Below, we have explained in detail what damages occur and how to prevent them.

Why you should avoid direct sunlight

The Lenor cleaning expert explained, "Direct sunlight breaks down dyes used in fabrics and leads to fading. When drying bright or dark items outside, turn them inside out and ensure your airer or clothesline is in the shade."

According the In The Wash, the sun contains ultraviolet radiation. Once those rays hit a coloured material, a chemical reaction occurs, fading the fabric. However, once this occurs, you cannot get rid of fading on your clothes.

The cleaning guru urged using a fabric conditioner to help maintain the vibrancy of your colours and prevent fading. Another way to protect fading is to observe the sun's path and position white/brighter clothes between the sun and your coloured garments.

This way, the white clothes act as a shield, reducing sun exposure to the colours. For those with a rotary clothesline, hang your coloured clothes on the middle lines and place white clothes on the outer lines.

Direct sunlight is beneficial for white clothes, as it bleaches the garments, and UV rays can effectively kill pesky bacteria that cause odours on items like socks and underwear.

What else should you look out for?

The cleaning expert warns that if you have hay fever or other pollen-based allergies, you should avoid drying outside when pollen counts are high.

"Damp clothes, especially knits, attract allergens blowing in the air and could quickly become the scourge of your summer. Most weather apps will alert you-as well as when rain is on the horizon, of course."

Another tip concerns drying clothes carefully and quickly. The guru advised leaving an inch between garments to allow faster drying. Air needs to circulate around items to whisk away moisture and ensure a quality, even dry.

If you're drying indoors, place clothes near an air vent, extractor fan, or dehumidifier to speed up the process. It's important your clothes are thoroughly dry before packing away to help prevent musty-smelling mould and mildew from growing in areas with poor air circulation, such as wardrobes and drawers.