There's nothing quite like climbing into bed with freshly washed sheets that have been dried outside. They smell fresh, feel crisp, and you haven't used a single cent's worth of electricity to get them dry.
Bedding can be a little more challenging to dry than everyday clothing, though. Sheets, duvet covers and blankets hold a lot of water, take up loads of line space, and can be surprisingly awkward to hang. Fortunately, a few simple techniques can make the job much easier.
Start with a faster spin
One of the easiest ways to reduce drying time happens before you even walk outside. If your washing machine lets you increase the spin speed, it's worth doing for bulky items like sheets, blankets and mattress protectors. Extracting more water means they'll spend less time on the clothesline. Just bear in mind that a faster spin can leave some fabrics more creased, so you may need to give them a good shake before hanging them out.
Give sheets plenty of room
It can be tempting to fold a sheet over the clothesline and peg it in place, but that leaves two damp layers of fabric pressed together. The outside dries quickly, while the middle can stay damp for much longer.
If you have the space, peg the sheet along one edge so it hangs in a single layer. On a smaller clothesline, try draping it across two parallel lines instead of folding it over one. It only takes a few extra pegs and usually dries much faster.
Before hanging the sheet, give it a good shake. This helps unfold the fabric, smooth out creases and lets more air circulate while it dries.
Duvet covers can be tricky
Duvet covers have a habit of trapping moisture, particularly in the corners. They can also catch the wind and twist themselves into a tangled bundle if they're not hung carefully.
Fastening the buttons or zip before hanging the cover can help keep it under control. If you have enough line space, spread it across two lines rather than folding it over one so more of the fabric is exposed to the air.
Don't forget the heavy items
Blankets, mattress protectors and heavier throws naturally take longer to dry because they absorb more water.
Leave a little space between them and the rest of your washing wherever possible. Good airflow is just as important as sunshine, and overcrowding the clothesline can slow the whole load down.
Before you bring bulky bedding inside, check thicker seams and corners. These areas often stay damp after the rest of the item feels dry.
Make the most of the weather
A warm, breezy day is ideal for drying bedding. While sunshine helps, it's often the breeze that does most of the work by carrying moisture away from the fabric.
If you're installing a new clothesline, think about where your washing will get the best combination of sun and airflow throughout the day. A well-positioned clothesline can make a noticeable difference to drying times all year round.
The right clothesline makes life easier
Drying bedding is much easier when you have enough space to spread everything out properly. Trying to fit a king-size sheet, duvet cover and towels onto a small clothesline usually means folding items over themselves, which slows drying.
If you regularly wash bedding for a family, a larger rotary clothesline or a generous folding wall-mounted clothesline gives you the room to hang bigger items without cramming everything together. Not only will your bedding dry faster, but you'll often fit an entire load on the line at once.
Find the right clothesline with NZ Clotheslines
Drying bedding is much easier when you have enough line space to spread everything out properly. With decades of experience, the team at NZ Clotheslines has helped hundreds of Kiwi families choose clotheslines that make everyday laundry easier, from king-size sheets and duvet covers to the weekly family wash. Browse our range of quality clotheslines or get in touch if you'd like help choosing the right one for your home.