What does Line Dry mean?

Detailed explanation

The line dry symbol (a square with a vertical line in the centre) means hang the garment on a washing line, clothes airer, or hanger and allow it to air dry naturally. This is both a drying instruction and a fabric protection instruction: this garment must not be tumble dried. Line drying is significantly more energy-efficient and gentler on fibres than machine drying. Correct line-drying technique — how you hang, where you hang, and for how long — matters as much as the drying method itself.

How to follow the Line Dry symbol:

1. 1

   Remove the item from the machine promptly

   letting wet laundry sit in a heap causes deep creasing that is difficult to remove even after drying

2. 2

   Shake each item firmly before hanging to remove creases and restore the fabric's natural drape

3. 3

   Hang shirts and structured tops by the shoulders on a clothes hanger rather than pegging by the collar

   this preserves the garment's shape and leaves no peg marks

4. 4

   Hang jeans and trousers by the waistband using two pegs, not by the hems

   hanging from the hems causes water to pool and leaves stretching at the peg points

5. 5

   Turn coloured and dark items inside out before hanging and dry out of direct midday sun

   UV fades surface dyes, often invisibly at first

6. 6

   Fasten buttons and zips before hanging

   this maintains the garment's shape and prevents distortion at the fastening during drying

7. 7

   Ensure good air circulation around each item; in still indoor air, a fan nearby significantly speeds drying and prevents musty odours

8. 8

   Remove items when completely dry

   continued sun or wind exposure fades fabric and weakens fibres unnecessarily

When does this symbol appear on care labels?

• For dress shirts, blouses, and structured tops where machine drying would cause creasing and shape loss
• For polyester and synthetic fabrics that dry quickly without heat
• For most everyday garments not rated for tumble drying
• For items with light embellishments or prints that cannot tolerate dryer heat
• Outdoors in warm, dry, and preferably sunny weather for fastest drying; indoors for coloured items or poor weather

Common mistakes to avoid

• Drying in strong direct sunlight — UV fades dyes, especially on dark colours and vivid prints, often invisibly at first
• Pegging by the hem of heavy items — the wet weight pulls the fabric down from the peg points, distorting the hem
• Leaving items on the line after they are dry — continued UV exposure fades and weakens fibres unnecessarily
• Drying in still, humid indoor air without ventilation — items take far longer and develop a musty smell

Common Materials