iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
There is no established rule that the two openings on an ordinary spring clothespin each have a separate job. A recent article published September 30, 2026 says the small opening near the spring is for the clothesline or drying-rack rail, and the larger opening toward the tips is for the fabric, and that this spreads pressure more evenly and reduces marks. That is a plausible way to use the pin, but it is an explanation, not a documented design intent. The article names no manufacturer, designer, or test behind it, and I found nothing that supports the claim about marks.
The claim you may have seen
The explanation circulating in recent coverage has three parts:
- The small opening, close to the coiled spring, is meant to hook over a clothesline or a drying-rack rail.
- The larger opening, nearer the tips, is meant to hold the garment.
- Using each opening for its “intended” job distributes pressure better and leaves fewer marks, and it reduces the need to iron.
The first two parts describe how the pin’s openings can be used. The third part is a claim about outcomes, and it is the part with no supporting evidence in the sources I could check.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11What is documented and what is not
Three kinds of source bear on this question, and they answer different parts of it.
#1 Best Overall
- Mr. Pen wooden clothes pins come in a 50-pack, offering a reliable and sturdy solution for a variety of tasks around the home or office.
- Made from high-quality natural wood, these clothes pins are durable and designed to withstand frequent use, with a rust-resistant galvanized coil for long-lasting performance.
- Each pin measures 2.9 inches, making them perfect for holding laundry, organizing items, or even for use in crafts and DIY projects.
- The natural wood finish offers a classic look while maintaining the practical functionality needed for everyday tasks.
- These versatile pins are ideal for use in crafts, holding food bags, hanging pictures, or adding a decorative touch to DIY projects.
| Source | Date | What it describes | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent explanatory article | Published September 30, 2026 | Small opening for the line, larger opening toward the tips for fabric; claims lower pressure and fewer marks | No manufacturer, designer, or test named; universal design intent not shown |
| Patent for a dual-clip clothespin | Not stated in the description used here | A dedicated through-hole near one end catches a line, cord, rod, or hanger while a separate closure at the other end holds a garment | The purpose of openings on ordinary spring clothespins |
| Clothespin patent | 1950 | Two members with longitudinal slots, transverse grooves, a coiled spring, and a disk; the grooves support the pin on a clothesline and the disk aligns the members | That two visible openings on ordinary pins have distinct line and fabric functions |
Read together, the sources show that clothespins have been designed to rest on a line and to clamp fabric, and that at least one patented design assigns those two jobs to separate ends. They do not show that the two holes on a standard pin were designed to split those jobs.
A patented dual-clip design that works this way
The clearest documented case of line and garment being held at separate points is a dual-clip clothespin. Its proximal end has a through-hole and a ramped guide that catch a line, cord, rod, or hanger. Its distal end has a closure that holds the garment. The line and the fabric never share the same grip.
Rank #2
- Premium Natural Wood: Crafted from natural birch with rust-resistant metal springs, these strong laundry clothespins won't snap. When looking for clothes pins wooden material is key for lasting daily use
- 50 PCS: At 2-7/8" long, these wooden clothespins are perfectly sized, sturdy, and durable. Get 50 smoothly sanded solid wooden clips for DIY crafts or to hang and grip items securely
- Great for Crafts & Classrooms: Use these for school DIY projects, student classroom art, and photo displays. While strong enough as wooden clothespins for laundry or laundry pins, these clothes pegs fit all your craft needs
- Rust‑proof Spring: Made of premium stainless steel, it keeps the clothespins durable and reliable even in damp environments like laundry rooms. The natural wood grain adds an eco‑friendly and sophisticated touch, making it a great choice for both schools and offices
- Paper box packaging: To actively reduce pollution, our sturdy clothespins come packed in a recyclable mini paper box. Whether searched as close pins or clothes pins, you enjoy zero plastic waste
This is a real, different construction. It is not evidence that an ordinary spring clothespin with two openings was built the same way. Before you assume a pin in your drawer is a dual-clip design, compare its shape with that construction. If it has one clamping jaw pair and no separate through-hole at the top end, it is an ordinary spring pin.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What the 1950 patent does and does not say
The 1950 patent is useful because it shows that older spring-pin designs already used slots and grooves for structure. Its grooves support the pin on a clothesline, and its disk keeps the two members aligned. Those features exist to make the pin work mechanically and to make it rest on a line.
Rank #3
- Our 100 pack heavy duty clothespins are made of natural wood and strength stainless steel spring, perfitly for laundry clothes, classrooms, and outdoors
- Widely use for crafts, school projects,summer wedding card holder, clothesline hanging clothes, sheet
- Helping keep closed storage your snack, bread bags, chips
- Strong and sturdy heavy duty wooden clothespins for long lasting
- Dimensions: 3 x 0.5 x 0.5inch
The patent does not describe a rule that the smaller opening is for the line and the larger opening is for fabric. Reading that rule into it would go beyond what the text says.
How to check the pin in your own drawer
- Close the pin and locate the opening nearest the coiled spring. Note whether it passes fully through the body or is a notch cut into the edge.
- Locate the wider opening nearer the tips and note its shape, so you can tell the two apart.
- Hang the pin on a line of the diameter you normally use. Check whether the small opening seats around the line, or whether the line simply rests in the jaws.
- Clip a folded cloth at the tips and hang it. Compare how the cloth sits and how the pin grips with the cloth clipped to the wider opening versus the jaw edge.
- If you want a pin that clearly separates line and garment, look for a dual-clip or hanger-style design, and check its product description for a through-hole.
These checks tell you how your particular pin is built and how it hangs. They do not test the marking claim.
Rank #4
- 【Standard Natural Wooden】：Made of 100 percent natural wood，naturally resistant to moisture，Great for outdoor or indoor drying
- 【FEATURES】：Rust resistant wire springs, Non-slip finger grips
- 【USAGE】:Hanging and drying clothing Handy for securing opened snack packages and bread bags.Perfect for a wide variety of craft/school projects. hanging Christmas tree ornaments and home decorations
- 【SIZE】：3.5 X 0.4 X 0.8 Inch,100pack/one bag.
- 【After-Sales】: If you have any questions, please contact us immediately, we can solve it for you
Marks and ironing: what is unproven
The article’s claim that using the openings this way prevents marks or reduces ironing has no test behind it in the sources I checked. No measurement compares marks with and without the proposed method, and no fabric, pin, or line was specified. Pressure marks and creases depend on the fabric, how long a pin stays clamped, how tight its spring is, and how the garment hangs, and none of those are controlled in the article.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
If marks matter to you, treat the openings as a convenience for hanging, not as a fabric-care feature. Test it on a piece you can afford to lose, and judge the result yourself.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Value Pack: This set includes 100-pack of 2.9 inch wooden clothespins. Each is crafted from natural hardwood and sanded smooth for a splinter‑free finish, making these clothes pins safe on delicates as laundry clips, clothespins for crafts, or chip clips
- Rust‑Proof Grip: Sturdy rust‑resistant springs turn these into clothes pins heavy duty outdoor. They hold firmly on clotheslines in sun or wind without losing tension. Use these clothesline clips to secure towels, sheets, and light garments with confidence every washday
- Solid Hardwood: Made from sustainably sourced hardwood, these wooden clothespins bring eco‑friendly durability. The smooth grain and uncoated surface mean no plastic and no rough edges—a reliable clothes pin for laundry, crafts, and everyday tasks around the home
- Multi‑Purpose: Beyond drying, use these clothespins for crafts like photo walls, string light displays, or giftless DIY projects. They also work as chip clips for snack bags or a clothing clip to organize light fabrics, accessories, and small household items
- Gentle Hold: Designed for light fabrics, these clothes pins wooden grip silk, scarves, and socks without leaving marks. Use them as clothesline clips for delicates outdoors or for hanging small organizers and decorations, keeping everything neatly in place
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
