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National Hanging Out Day

Fun · April 19

A day for hanging laundry on a clothesline to dry in the open air, with notes on pins, sun, wind and how line-dried clothes feel.

National Hanging Out Day falls on Monday, April 19, 2027. That is 174 days away.

A clothesline, a basket of damp laundry and a handful of pins. That is the whole setup for this one. The day is about drying clothes the old way, outside in moving air, instead of in a machine.

Line-drying works because sun and wind carry moisture away from fabric. A breezy day can dry a load surprisingly fast, and even a still, warm afternoon gets there eventually. Sheets and towels come in with a crisp feel and a smell people often describe simply as outdoors. Towels can turn a little stiff. A quick shake before hanging, and another after, softens them.

There is a bit of craft to it. Hang shirts from the hem rather than the shoulders so pins do not leave bumps where they show. Pin pants by the waistband, and give sheets room so they can billow instead of folding over on themselves. Strong sun can fade dark colors, so turning those inside out or hanging them in partial shade helps.

Not everyone has a yard, and that is fine. A folding rack by an open window or on a balcony does the same job on a smaller scale, as long as building rules allow it.

The best part may be bringing it all in at the end, folding warm sheets straight off the line and into the basket.

Ways to celebrate

• Hang one load of laundry outside to dry instead of using the dryer.
• Try a folding drying rack near an open window.
• Shake out towels before and after hanging to keep them soft.
• Turn dark clothes inside out to limit sun fading.
• Fold sheets straight off the line while they are still warm.

Dates

All national days on April 19

Also on April 19

• Patriots' Day
• National Garlic Day
• National Amaretto Day
• National Chicken Parmesan Day
• National Rice Ball Day
• Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day

Categories: Fun days