Families urged to stop using clothes pegs to dry clothes

If you're trying to catch the last of the milder weather before winter kicks in, there's one thing you'll need to bear in mind when drying your clothes outdoors. Experts advise being cautious when using pegs on your clothes, as they can cause damage to your garments.

Drying your clothes indoors can be a nightmare - it can take a long time, and they might smell damp after a slow drying process. So, with colder and wetter weather on the way over winter, you might still be opting for the washing line - even though the sun is mostly gone.

Drying clothes outside can be quicker and helps your clothes smell fresher, but pegs could create other issues.

Clothing brand Superdry has shared a few tips you'll need to take into consideration if you're hanging your washing out to dry.

It says: "Take caution when using clothes pegs, as they can leave unsightly and potentially permanent pressure marks on delicate fabrics."

The brand adds that to protect delicate items, you should avoid using clothes pegs altogether and be careful not to leave items outside in the wind as they could be blown away.

Superdry says: "Additionally, you can enhance the whitening effect further by lightly spritzing clothes with white vinegar before hanging them outdoors, helping the sun to keep your whites looking fresh.

"However, some fabrics will become stiff if dried in this way, especially those made from natural fibres like cotton.

"To avoid this, try partly drying outside and finish off with a few minutes in the tumble dryer."

One suggestion is to move your clothes airer outside, which will have the same effect as drying your washing on the line but without the potential problems caused by pegs.

Ensuring your clothes stay fresh and clean without getting damaged is important - and you might not have even thought about the marks pegs can leave.