How to Hang Clothes on a Balcony

Co-authored by Ayad Mirjan and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: November 13, 2022 References

Drying your clothes outside instead of using a dryer can save you money on your electricity bill over time. Plus, it comes with the added bonus of being great for the environment. An outdoor balcony is the perfect space to hang up your wet clothes so you can dry them quickly and without using a ton of energy. Be sure to check with the property owner of your building to make sure you can dry your laundry on the balcony before you set up your clothes rack.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Drying Clothes Quickly

1
Wring your clothes out to get the majority of the water out. Take your clothes out of the washer and make sure they aren’t dripping wet anymore. If you washed your clothes by hand, gently squeeze them out over the sink until they aren’t dripping wet.^{[1]
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- Most washers have a spin cycle that removes a lot of the water.
- You can hang clothes outside to dry them.
- Before that, you should let them go through a complete spin cycle so the excess water can spin out.
2
Set up a clothes horse on the balcony. Purchase a metal or plastic clothes horse that fits on your balcony and unfold it so that it stands up. Make sure it’s large enough to fit all your clothes from a single load of laundry.^{[2]
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- You can find clothes horses at most home goods stores.
- You can also purchase mounted clothes racks that attach to the railing of your balcony.
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Lay your clothes over the rack in a single layer. Unfold all of your clothes so that they lay flat, then lay them over the bars of your clothes horse. Try to keep your clothes in a single layer so they dry faster.^{[3]
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- If you are hanging small items like socks, use a clothespin to keep them in place.
- If your clothes don’t all fit in a single layer, you may need to buy another clothes horse.
4
Put heavy clothes, like sweaters, flat on a mesh rack. Instead of draping your heavy clothing items over a clothes rack, lay them flat on a mesh clothing rack. This will help you avoid any creases or stretching as your clothes dry out.^{[4]
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- Sweaters, jackets, and heavy knits are all too heavy to hang on a clothes rack.
- You should lay down jackets flat to dry.
5
Rotate your clothes every few hours so they dry quicker. If your clothes sit in one position the entire time, they’ll probably take a long time to dry. Check on your clothes every 2 to 4 hours and rotate them to new spots and angles on your clothes rack so that every side is exposed to the fresh air.^{[5]
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- This is especially helpful for thicker clothes that dry slowly.
- If you live in a humid area, your clothes may take even longer to dry.
6
Take your clothes in as soon as they are dry so they don’t fade. Depending on how warm it is out and how thick your clothes are, they could take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to dry fully. Once they feel dry, fold them up and take them inside to get them out of the sun.^{[6]
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Tip: If you are worried about your clothes fading, try to keep your clothes horse out of the direct sunlight.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Camouflaging Your Clothes Rack

1
Check with your property owner to see if you can hang clothes outside. Some apartment and condo buildings have laws preventing their residents from hanging laundry on the balcony. Read the by-laws of your complex to make sure you won’t get fined or punished for having visible laundry on the balcony.^{[7]
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- Some states have laws preventing property owners from banning laundry on balconies. Be sure to check with your home’s contract as well as the laws in your state and county.
- Most hotels don’t allow their guests to hang clothes on the balcony.
2
Move the clothes rack away from the railing so it isn’t visible. Instead of pushing your clothes rack up against the railing, try keeping it near the door of your balcony so it’s less noticeable. This will also help you when you’re taking your clothes in and out so you don’t have to carry them so far.^{[8]
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Tip: If your balcony isn’t big enough to hold your clothes rack, consider putting it inside under a window or near a fan.
3
Put potted plants in front of the clothes rack to hide it. Find a few tall plants and place them near your balcony’s edge so that they hide your clothes rack. Adding potted plants will also spruce up your balcony and make it feel more like the great outdoors.^{[9]
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- Check with a plant nursery near you to find some affordable potted plants for your home.
4
Check to see if your clothes rack is visible from the street. If your home faces the street or a communal area, walk down there and look up at your balcony. If you can see your clothes rack, try moving it to a different position and then checking again.^{[10]
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- Clothes racks can be an eyesore, which is why most property owners don’t allow them on the balcony.
5
Avoid hanging your clothes on the balcony railing. Clothing hanging on the railing of your balcony can blow off in the wind, fall off onto the street, or make the railing moldy from constant moisture. Hold off on drying your clothes on your balcony until you have a clothes rack you can use.^{[11]
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- Hanging clothes on the balcony is also an eyesore, which is why many property owners don’t allow it.

Warnings

Check with your property manager before you hang your clothes outside to make sure it is legal.

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Avoid hanging your clothes on the balcony railing. They could fall off or blow away in the wind.

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Most hotels don’t allow their guests to hang clothes on the balcony.

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