Laundry day is a day that many dread; for some, it’s folding, and for others, it’s sorting. There are many woes that people have about laundry. However, something that many don’t understand is what they can and cannot put in the dryer. Whether you have an electric dryer or gas dryer, you put your favorite shirt in the dryer and pull it out, only to see that it is now a shirt fit for a small child. It’s not a good feeling.
Recently, Mr. Appliance did some investigating and created the following list to outline what can and cannot be tossed and tumbled in the dryer.
Fabrics that can be dried:
Cotton: Looser woven cotton can shrink much more than a cotton blend shirt. If you are worried about shrinking, dry on low heat. Materials that are 100% cotton are more likely to shrink.
Acrylic: Dry on low heat, and don’t over dry or it can cause static!
Linen: Make sure not to over-dry linen as it can cause even more wrinkles that will be harder to iron out.
Microfiber: Use a low heat or cool setting when drying this material.
Nylon: Use low heat to prevent creases. Also prone to static cling.
Polyester: Use low heat, but dries quickly. Hang drying can be just as effective.
Silk: Some pieces can be dried on low heat; check the care label for clarification.
Velour: Use a low heat tumble.
Cannot be dried:
Embellished items: These can get too hot and break off or damage your dryer. It is best to avoid the mess altogether.
Spandex: Clothing with low amounts of spandex is okay; however, pieces with higher amounts cannot be dried.
Lace: Very delicate material will likely get snagged against other pieces. It is best to just hang to dry.
Rayon: Will shrink in the dryer; it is always best to lay it out to dry.
Suede: Drying these pieces will cause them to come out damaged or discolored. It is best to lay suede pieces out to dry.
Wool: If dried, it will shrink. Wash in cold and then lay to dry.
One of the best things you can always do is read the label on your clothing for the best recommendation of how to clean and dry your pieces.
The following are things that cannot be put in the dryer:
If you have any more questions or need help with your dryer, schedule an appointment online or call the experts at Mr. Appliance to help you out!
FAQs
What materials can you safely put in the dryer? Jeans, cotton garments, polyester items, bedsheets, and pillows are some items that you can safely put in a dryer. Remember to read the label carefully and choose the right settings to avoid damaging any of your favourite items.
What material can be put in a dryer? ›
What materials can you safely put in the dryer? Jeans, cotton garments, polyester items, bedsheets, and pillows are some items that you can safely put in a dryer. Remember to read the label carefully and choose the right settings to avoid damaging any of your favourite items.
How do you know what clothes can go in the dryer? ›
A square with a circle inside means that the item can be safely tumble dried, while the number of dots inside the tumble dry symbol indicates what temperature setting to use: one dot stands for low heat, two dots for medium, and three for high heat setting. No dot means that you can tumble dry your clothes on any heat.
Can all materials go in the dryer? ›
There are a number of fabrics that are safe to be placed in the dryer, including acrylic, cotton, denim, linen, microfibre, nylon and polyester. However, it's always best to read the label of each particular clothing item before putting in the clothes dryer to avoid damaging any of your favourite pieces.
What fabric cannot tumble dry? ›
There are several materials that are better not to tumble dry because of the risk of damage or deformation. For example, leather and imitation leather can shrink, harden or lose their shape, while foam, such as that found in cushions or mattress pads, can melt or deform due to heat.
Which clothes not in dryer? ›
You should never put bras, gym clothes, and swimwear in the clothes dryer. Spandex and other elastic materials are great for wearing comfort, but they often don't do that well in a dryer. The high temperatures can damage the material, breaking it down and ruining the shape of your clothes.
What are dryer fabrics? ›
Dryer Fabrics
Dryer fabrics hold the sheet in close contact with the cylinders through the dryer section. Dryer fabrics must be heat resistant, rugged, and designed for both drying efficiently and evenly.
What clothes can't go in a tumble dryer? ›
Certain garments shouldn't go in the dryer at all. Subjected to high temperatures, silk may shrink, wool and knitwear may pill and undergarments may shrink or lose their shape. Learn more about how to prevent pilling on your clothes.
Can I put polyester in the dryer? ›
Just as with washing, it is important to avoid using high heat when drying polyester items. To dry your polyester clothing, place the load into your dryer and select the tumble dry setting. Adjusting the temperature to medium or per your item's care label can help keep the polyester's fibers intact.
What is not allowed in the dryer? ›
Cannot be dried:
Embellished items: These can get too hot and break off or damage your dryer. It is best to avoid the mess altogether. Spandex: Clothing with low amounts of spandex is okay; however, pieces with higher amounts cannot be dried. Lace: Very delicate material will likely get snagged against other pieces.
Fabrics like rayon, linen, shrink more readily than synthetics like nylon or polyester. Perhaps you are also wondering: does cotton shrink in the dryer? Generally speaking, natural fibers like cotton, wool or silk shrink more readily than their man-made counterparts.
Can you put bras in the dryer? ›
Bras should never go in the dryer. Even on low heat, dryers can warp the underwire in bras and damage the elastic in bands. Instead, gently press (never wring) out any excess water from the garment. "Bras should lay flat to dry on a clean, dry towel," says Gagliardi.
What material cannot be put in the dryer? ›
Silk and other delicate fabrics
And along with your bras and silk underwear, it's best you don't put any other lingerie or stockings in the dryer either. These materials may shrink or become wrinkly because of the high temperatures inside the dryer, and it's next to impossible to reverse such damage.
Can socks go in the dryer? ›
Most sock materials can be washed in a washing machine and then dried in the tumble dryer. If you're ever in doubt, check the manufacturer's care instructions or dry them naturally. When washing and drying your socks, you should use a mesh wash bag to separate them from other clothes.
Is it safe to put ice cubes in the dryer? ›
All you have to do is throw three or four cubes into your dryer, along with the wrinkled garment. Then let it run for about 10 minutes. The cubes will melt, creating moisture and a steam-like effect that will zap creases and leave clothes wrinkle-free.
How to know if something can be put in the dryer? ›
The square with a circle inside is the general symbol for tumble drying. If you see it on a laundry label, your item can be tumble-dried, and it's safe to put it in the dryer. If a laundry item should not be tumble-dried, you will see the same square with a circle, but it will be crossed out.
What materials are flammable in a dryer? ›
Combustible Material
Dried leaves and wood are good examples. There are also fabrics and similar substances, like dryer lint, that are highly flammable. Lint is highly combustible; this is the reason why it is so important to clean the lint trap after every load of laundry.
