Which clothespins are best for line drying your laundry? We’ve tested several and can make some recommendations to save you wasting your money on clothespins that don’t work.
I have several kinds of clothespins that I use and some I like better than others. The following is a basic comparison of what’s in my clothespins basket – these are a necessary tool for any line dryer!
What’s in My Clothespin Bucket?
I’m not what you’d consider ethnocentric. I love other cultures, from the food to the religion to the music – I think the world is full of amazing people and places. However, in this particular case, I must say that I’m proud to be an American.
I recently received a package of American-made, Kevin’s Quality Clothespins
- Incredibly strong, even in a strong wind!
- They don’t twist or break because they’re made so well.
- The springs don’t pop out, again, because they’re so well made.
- They done well in sun, rain and even snow!
- They have different tension levels and can hold undies as well as they hold bulky towels and blankets.
Kevin’s Quality Clothespins are, hands down, the best clothespins I own and I’ve bought several more bunches of them, so that I use them almost exclusively.
Update as of 6/21: Six years later, these are still my best pins and I use them every week, nearly every day. Love them! However, as of June 2021 Kevin’s clothespins are backordered due to the tragic loss of Kevin, the carpenter behind these genius clothespins. They are catching back up on orders, though, so just be patient as they adjust to this change in their business and their lives.
These clothespins are absolutely worth every penny. I’ve had mine for about six years and they’re still working just like the day I purchased them! This article was originally written when we lived out west; we now live in a very humid climate and these pins are holding up just as well.
Update on the Update as of 5/22: They’re back on track and orders are shipping regularly – we just ordered more!
In the picture above, the Kevin’s pins are on the far left; the Italian stainless steel pins are in the middle; the cheap-o pins Chinese-made pins are on the right.
The Clothespins Made in China
Someone gave me a big package of those cheap-o wooden clothespins. I also bought some at a local grocery store when I was first experimenting with line drying.
The best part about these light, wooden clothespins is that they’re cheap. The worst thing about these clothespins is that they’re cheap.
They fall apart at the slightest provocation – a simple twist can undo the clasp that makes them pin. My son has gotten really good at putting them back together (a skill I do NOT have) but that gets to be a pain when I’m hanging laundry for seven people every week.
Plus they’re not very strong and I always need to use a few extra to keep the clothes on the line on particularly windy days.
The only thing these clothespins are really useful for is various crafts, but not laundry.
The Clothespins Made in Italy
I got some stainless steel clothespins from Extreme Clothespins of Italian origin. I must say that I like them quite a bit.
- They’re strong, can take the weather and the elements and have a great grip.
- I was concerned that I’d burn my fingers in the summer heat, but I haven’t really had a problem with that since they come off the line easily and quickly.
- There are two notches in the each pin that allow for larger and smaller amounts of fabric and, therefore, grip on the line.
One Drawback
Their springs do sometimes pop out but they’re far more sturdy that their Chinese brothers and of much higher quality. These things will never wear out. I just have to make sure that I keep track of the springs on the few occasion when they pop out so that we can put them back together.
They’re not cheap but, on the other hand, they’re not cheap. If line drying is something you’re going to be doing consistently, I suggest you invest in quality clothespins upfront. Because their lifespan is longer than the average cheap clothespin, you’ll get your money’s worth out of them.
Do you have a favorite clothespin I should try? Or a line drying tip to share with other readers? Remember, you’re cool tips often get featured in our weekly newsletter – sign up below if you aren’t receiving that and would like to!
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Thanks first, for the super clothespin giveaway. Thanks, second, for the great list of Pinterest folks that I now follow! Happy Trails!
My pleasure! So glad you stopped by!
I’m so glad that I found your blog. I cant wait to take a vacation from my dryer. I can’t have a clothesline in this neighborhood. Can you recommend an indoor clothesline?
I’m so glad you stopped by! Farming My Backyard has an article with a lot of good tips on indoor line drying. Spring Mountain Living has a good one, too. I have an indoor rack that I got from IKEA that I use when it’s raining but I also use hangers just about everywhere. It takes longer than the dryer, of course, but it doesn’t fry your clothes. Life is give and take. 🙂
LOVE these clothespins. Growing up in Germany, everyone had a clothes line and now I do the same for my family’s laundry. We so rarely use the dryer and I can’t image doing it any other way.
Everything old is new again, right, Noreen? What part of Germany are you from? Such a beautiful country!
Yes, it is! I grew up in Saxony, which is about 1.5 hours south of Berlin.
Gorgeous place! I’m sure you miss your home but I’m glad we lucked out and got you! 🙂
Great simple tools of home success and prepping.
Agreed! Good luck!
I have boughten some of these pins and I love them! Your terms and conditions say you are giving away only 2 sets of 10 pins not 3 sets of 30 pins.
Thanks for catching that, Shirley! Our computer code was all set up and then Kevin’s Clothespins decided to donate another set. I’ll pass that on to our code lady. Glad you stopped by!
I am soooo tired of cheap little clothespins!!!
Yeah, they get tiresome when you’re hanging laundry a lot! Glad you stopped by!
Enjoyed your clothespin article. Just to let you know, I have not owned a clothes dryer for more than 40 years. We heat with wood and my 4 children learned that if you want to wear a garment tomorrow, you’d better ash it today and hang it up high so it will be dry when you need it tomorrow.
They used to complain, but not much. Now they are grown with their own children, they say it wasn’t that bad!
I love it! I hope my kids will feel the same once they’re grown because sometimes I’m the meanest mom ever! So glad you stopped by, Rosemary.
I would love to win the clothespins, because the cheap Chinese pins are so frustrating! I hope to be able to purchase some, because made in America matters!
So glad you stopped by, Carla – yes, those cheapo ones are irritating in the extreme. I guess they’re better than nothing but not by a whole lot. Good luck!
Maybe I am misreading, it says 3 winners of 30 clothespins but the terms and conditions link says 2 winners of 10 pins? Either way is OK but just wondering if I am misreading.
No, you’re reading that correctly. The code was written and then Kevin’s Clothespins decided to donate some more – they’re just so generous! I have a note in to the organizer of the giveaway. Thank you for your eagle eye!
They look great. I live by a very windy beach and looking for strong pins, but the ones you recommended are just too expensive.
Oooh, hanging laundry by a beach is probably extra wonderful! They are an investment, for sure! The Italian metal ones are really, really good and a little cheaper. I save up and by myself a pack of the expensive ones every year.
Thanks for stopping by, Sonia!
The best clothespins I’ve ever used were plastic Italian ones (Tontarelli brand) that I bought at the dollar store. They have lasted for over 20 years. I wish I could find them here in the US again. We use clothespins for a lot more than laundry–red clothespins are clipped to checks to be deposited, yellow pins go on mail ready to be sent, snack foods are re-sealed with others, etc. Over the years we’ve lost enough that I’d like to re-supply. Not one from that original bag of 50 clothespins has broken.
That’s awesome, Paola! Twenty years ago would be when everyday plastic was a lot more durable; these days, things like clothespins and water bottles are made out of recycled plastic that often isn’t as durable. Sadly, a lot of things aren’t made like they were twenty years ago! I can honestly recommend those Kevin’s clothespins – I’m ordering some more for this coming season of summer line drying.
It’s now 2019 and I’m responding to 2015 comments… But they still come up on Google search so…
I just ordered 10 of Kevin’s clothespins and 30 plastic Italian clothespins. Both are very highly rated. Not the brand you mentioned but I’m sure they are the same type and quality. The name is Cosatto Julia.
You’re welcome to comment any time, Jim! I hope you like the clothespins – I’m still loving mine years later. Not one has fallen apart; same for the Italians.
Thanks for stopping by!
I’d love to have a clothes line and win clothespins. I was discussing with my hubby about how I want it on pulleys so I can stand on my deck and hang them.
Ah, the conversations homesteader women have with their husbands!
I’m sure that Kevin makes a lovely clothespin, but at $1.87 for EACH single pin ……. There’s no way on earth that my frugal self will ever try them out!
Ordinary clothespins work just fine for my needs and are way more sensible to my wallet. If I accidentally twist one apart occasionally, they are easily fixed in a couple of seconds.
for extra heavy items such as a quilt or jeans, steel binder clips from the office supply store work great and are available for about twenty-five cents or less.
Thanks for stopping by, Tami! To each his own; I’m glad you found a cheaper option that works for you.
I’m going to try this suggestion. Makes a lot of sense and affordable.
The old fashioned clothes pins are my favorites for most things except those too thin and blankets.
We all have our favorites! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hi There. I was trying to find a way to contact you to get you sample of our clothes pins. We’re a small family business out of jupiter Florida and reinvented the clothes pin. Check them out at incredaclip.com or on Amazon.
Thank you
Looks interesting! Just shoot me an email at Tessa@Homesteadlady.com and we can chat.