7 Benefits of Drying Your Laundry Outside

The Natural Joy of Line Drying

There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing freshly washed laundry swaying gently in the breeze. The scent of crisp air and sunlight infused fabric is hard to beat, no artificial fragrance comes close. In a world leaning ever more toward sustainability, drying laundry outside is a beautifully simple, eco-friendly habit that’s making a powerful comeback. And it starts with your wash.

Bio-D’s plant-based laundry range, made right here in the UK, is the perfect partner for an eco-conscious routine that begins in the washing machine and ends under the open sky. From our Fragrance Free Laundry Liquid to our naturally fresh Washing Powder and Laundry Bleach, our products are biodegradable, cruelty-free, and refillable, just like your outdoor drying habit can be repeatable and waste free.

Here’s why more people are choosing to dry laundry outside, and why you might want to join them.

1. Significantly Lower Your Energy Use

Using a tumble dryer is one of the most energy intensive household habits. On average, it costs around 67p per hour to run a standard dryer in the UK. Over a year, that adds up to a significant cost, not just financially, but environmentally too.

Line drying uses no electricity at all. It’s a free, renewable way to dry your clothes that immediately reduces your home’s carbon footprint. Pair this with Bio-D’s low-impact, plant-based Laundry Liquid or Fabric Conditioner, and you’re embracing a complete low energy laundry cycle from start to finish.

2. Sunlight Naturally Disinfects

Sunlight is nature’s oldest and most effective disinfectant. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun help to kill bacteria and reduce mould spores that may be left behind in laundry—especially useful for items like gym wear, bedding, and reusable nappies.

Combine this with a wash using Bio-D’s  Laundry Bleach,, which is specially formulated to hygienically clean without harsh chemicals, and you’ve got a doubly effective, gentle routine.

3. Fabrics Last Longer Without Dryer Damage

Tumble drying weakens fibres over time, especially with repeated high heat cycles. Outdoor drying, on the other hand, is gentler on clothes, towels, and bedding, preserving their shape, colour, and softness for longer.

To extend the life of your garments even further, choose Bio-D’s Non-Bio Washing Powder, designed for effective cleaning without enzymes or synthetic additives that wear down fabrics.

4. That Fresh Outdoor Scent—Naturally

We’ve all seen products claiming to mimic the “smell of fresh air” in a bottle. But nothing matches the real thing. Clothes dried outside absorb the scent of the air and the earth, leaving behind a fragrance that’s subtle, clean, and unmistakably natural.

Bio-D’s Fragrance Free Laundry Liquid ensures that there’s no synthetic scent to compete, just the clean smell of sun, wind, and water.

5. Lower Indoor Humidity and Mould Risk

Drying clothes inside can quickly raise indoor humidity levels, especially in winter. This encourages condensation and mould growth, particularly on windows and in poorly ventilated spaces.

By drying outside whenever weather allows, you reduce moisture build up indoors and keep your home environment healthier.

6. The Ritual of Hanging Can Be Therapeutic

There’s a calm, grounding rhythm to hanging out the washing. Pegging each item, smoothing out creases, and taking a moment in the fresh air offers a chance to pause, reflect, and slow down. In a world of constant screen time, this small daily ritual can become an act of mindfulness.

7. It Saves You Money, Every Week

With rising energy costs, the savings from outdoor drying are more welcome than ever. Depending on how often you do laundry, switching from a dryer to a clothesline can save hundreds of pounds a year. Multiply that by every member of the household, and it’s one of the easiest ways to cut down on utility bills.

Tips for Drying Laundry Outside in the British Climate

Let’s be honest, the UK isn’t always sunny. But you can still take advantage of line drying with a few practical tips:

• Check the forecast and aim for breezy, dry days even if the sun’s not out.
• Use pegs and hangers to prevent clothes from bunching and speed up drying time.
• Hang clothes inside out to reduce fading in direct sunlight.
• Invest in a rotary airer or retractable line, which can be tucked away when not in use.
• Start small—even drying towels and bed sheets outside once a week makes a difference.

Make Line Drying Part of Your Eco Routine

At Bio-D, we believe in working with nature, not against it. Drying your laundry outside is a simple step that aligns beautifully with this philosophy. And when you pair this habit with Bio-D’s ethically made, refillable laundry products, the impact is even greater.

All our cleaning and laundry essentials are available in larger 5L and 20L refill sizes, perfect for reducing plastic waste and reordering less often. Many of our customers now refill at home or through local refill stockists, supporting a cleaner planet and more circular way of living.

Ready to embrace outdoor drying?
Explore Bio-D’s full eco-friendly laundry range and find your nearest refill store to start your low impact laundry routine today. Fresh air. Fresh clothes. Clean conscience.

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