Best clothes pegs: wooden, plastic and non-slip buys recommended by Mumsnet users

Perfect for use on any clothesline - parents rave about Lakeland’s Soft Grip Pegs on the Mumsnet forums, with many users praising their high-quality design and secure hold. Outstripping all other recommendations by a country mile, they easily won our top spot as the best overall clothes pegs.

With a cute floral design in a muted pastel colour palette, they’re not only pretty to look at, but they have a firm grip ensuring everything from delicates to heavy woollen items remains securely attached to your clothesline. Water and rustproof, these clothes pegs can cope well with the changeable British weather and with their super-soft cushioned grips, they won't mark or leave unsightly imprints on your clothes. Whilst made from plastic, online reviewers and our community felt the quality was high, describing them as robust, strong and non-slip even on windy days. And if by some small miracle, they do break, they’re covered by Lakeland’s three-year guarantee.

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Tested by MNHQ: Read our full Minky Sure Grip Pegs review

Hoping to put away your best heated clothes airer for bulky items? Minky’s Sure Grip clothes pegs received high praise from parents, particularly for their ability to last in the sun, putting it in close competition for the best overall clothes pegs award title.

Whilst they may have a higher price tag than most due to the large pack size, we’d argue it is well worth the extra pounds. These clothes pegs offer a firm, gentle grip due to their soft fabric-protecting pads, which will keep your clothes secure on breezy days without leaving marks or indents on your fabrics. Waterproof and made with anti-rust springs, Minky pegs also boast a unique ‘anti-twist’ mechanism that stops them from splitting apart or coming off the spring during use. Although, as with all pegs, there is still a chance of the occasional one deciding to go its own way. With wide opening ‘jaws’ capable of holding heavy and bulky items, these durable and hard-wearing plastic pegs come in four bold, bright colours and are UV stable, so unlike some cheaper brands, they won’t become brittle or weak when exposed to the sun. However, you may just want to buy a hanging basket for storage as they’re pretty bulky, and it is tricky to hold more than three at a time.

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We’ve all become increasingly aware of climate change in recent years, so many Mumsnet users rate wooden clothes pegs as a more sustainable and eco-friendly choice for hanging their clothes. That’s why we’re recommending Smith’s Strong Wooden pegs are a plastic-free alternative.

Whilst wooden clothes pegs can be more susceptible to the weather (and should be stored indoors when not in use), they are both budget-friendly and functional, without sending additional plastic waste to a landfill if they break. Unlike some cheaper wooden pegs that can twist or become easily detached from the metal spring, these are made from durable hardwood sanded to a smooth, splinter-free surface that won’t fall apart. At 8.5cm in size, they are also around 30% larger than many wooden peg brands and open up to 15 degrees, helping you hang even thicker or bulkier items with ease.

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In your never-ending pursuit of an empty laundry basket and an optimised routine, there is little more frustrating than plastic pegs that break or become brittle over time, particularly when left outside and exposed to the elements. As such, more of the Mumsnet community is switching to stainless steel pegs, championing that they can be left out all year round without the risk of rusting or snapping.

Whilst stainless steel pegs can cost more initially than their plastic counterparts, this pack of stainless steel clothes pegs costs just £10 for 100, meaning you may never have to buy clothes pegs again! Made from heavy-duty anti-rust steel that is long-lasting and durable, these pegs are designed to never come apart or break at the spring. They can, however, become tangled together when stored in a peg bag, which some reviewers found annoying, but that is a small price to pay for clothes pegs that’ll last!

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We all know bright and breezy days are perfect for drying your clothes quickly. Still, it’s incredibly frustrating when your clothes bunch up at one end, slip off the line, or a sudden gust whisks your favourite knickers into your elderly neighbour's garden on a particularly windy day (true story).

When it comes to finding clothes pegs with a firm grip that’ll hold your clothes securely in place, Mumsnetters spoke highly of the Caraselle Ecoforce Hurricane Force Grip Clothes Pegs, which not only offer a secure grip in windy conditions but are made from recycled plastic too for added eco-friendly brownie points. With no metal spring, there’s no need to worry about rust, either. Instead, they use a plastic mechanism flex to hold your clothes tightly to the line. It’s worth noting, however, that they may need some time to revert to their original shape before securing a second load.

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Kuou may have the solution to your clothesline and clothing peg woes with its wind-proof portable clothesline and pegs. Initially intended for doing laundry on holiday as it can be helpful to hang out swimwear to dry on the balcony or freshen up clothes outside your tent whilst camping. Nothing is stopping you from using this in your garden at home.  No more searching for where you last left your pegs; they're precisely where you need them to be.

This lightweight and portable clothesline is fully retractable and comes with 12 wire clip pegs attached (so there is no risk of losing them in your case). It even comes in a handy travel bag for easy packing. Whilst it’s better suited to lighter items than heavy dressing gowns or jumpers and requires two secure places to attach it to, it grips clothes securely without marking them, even in windy conditions.

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With an innovative and unique design, Heg's Clothes Pegs promise to “revolutionise” your laundry routine and come highly recommended by parents who called them “indestructible”.

Winning our award title for the best wind-proof pegs, our favourite feature is that they come with an integrated hook on each side of the peg, offering a choice of hanging or hooking your clothes, depending on the garment type. You can hang clothes on both sides to maximise line space and even attach coat hangers to prevent delicate clothes from becoming misshapen as they dry. They're ideal for tops or dresses with thin straps that may slip through the hold of a traditional peg. They also allow heavier items like jeans to be attached through belt loops to dry flatter and reduce the need for ironing. These pegs are UV resistant and shatterproof, meaning they won't split or become brittle in the sun. The major downside is that they're expensive, and with only 10 in a pack, it is nowhere near as cost-effective as other options on this list.

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If you’re looking for clothes pegs that will work well for larger items such as duvets, bed sheets, towelling or blankets, these larger-sized soft grip pegs from Lakeland are ideal.

Whilst they come in smaller pack sizes, the Lakeland Big Soft Grip Clothes Pegs offer a soft cushioned jaw that won’t mark or damage your laundry and will prevent slippage or gathering up along the line. Made with waterproof and rustproof springs that can withstand the elements, these larger-sized clothes pegs also come with a reassuring three-year guarantee for peace of mind.

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Whilst they have a premium price tag, Hills Smart Clothes Pegs are made by a clothing line manufacturer who certainly know a thing or two about laundry. They’ve been created specifically to overcome the most common criticisms of traditional clothes pegs. The trick here is to weigh up your budget against the benefits.

These ergonomic, doubled-moulded pegs have rubber grips that make them comfortable and easy to use. They include a secure and padded grip that can hold your washing firmly in place without marking your clothes - even on finer fabrics. If you’re always rushing around, these highly weather-resistant pegs have rust-resistant springs and are made from UV-stabilised materials, meaning they won’t break or snap if you forget to bring them inside.

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If you’re after a budget-friendly pack of clothes pegs but don't want to sacrifice quality, the IKEA SLIBB clothes pegs are an excellent choice.

With an innovative hanging loop, the SLIBB Hanging Clothes Pegs can also be fixed to an indoor dryer, clothes line or drying rack with thicker bars, offering wider flexibility on those changeable days you may want to pop the dryer outside between showers. Made from rust and fade-resistant plastic, they're also a hard-wearing and practical option for travel, ideal for securing your bikini to the balcony rails to dry after a relaxing day at the pool. However, consider that although the price is low, only eight pegs are included, so it is not very cost-effective. We'd recommend buying these in addition to an option with more clothes pegs in a pack.

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