What Clothes Should You Put in the Dryer?
Generally speaking, you can use the dryer to dry the clothes you wash in the washing machine's permanent press or regular cycle. However, it's advisable always to review the care label on garments.
Anything that needs to be hand-washed should never be machine dried. When in doubt, hang your items to dry naturally. This choice lowers concerns about destroying certain items while also extending the life of your clothes.
How Should You Prep Clothes for the Dryer?
Sorting clothes is necessary before even washing them. Sort your laundry by:
- ✦
Texture
- ✦
Fabric
- ✦
Soiled
- ✦
Colour
Sorting items for the dryer will be more straightforward, thanks to this pre-wash preparation. When drying clothes, it's crucial to separate the items by weight as well. When heavier and lighter objects are combined, it may result in one being overdried while the other is still damp.
Before tossing clean clothes into the dryer:
- ✦
Give them a quick shake.
- ✦
Make sure the washing machine completes its part to get rid of the stains.
- ✦
If stains persist, treat them once more to remove them altogether before allowing them to dry. The stain will probably become permanent once the discoloured cloth is dried.
To prevent wrinkles and speed up drying, shake up the clothes and remove any tucked objects (like socks) before putting them in the dryer.
The Right Way to Use Your Dryer for Fewer Wrinkles
Before beginning the drying process, read the instruction manual. The settings can vary significantly by model. It's essential to understand the specific heat settings and time options for your dryer.
You also need to check the lint filter. Between each usage, you should clean it to lower the risk of a fire, keep your energy costs down, and extend the life of your dryer.
Loading the Dryer
Follow these tips to load the dryer for wrinkle-free results:
- ✦
Before putting any item in the dryer, give it a good shake.
- ✦
Use a good detergent like Omo for smooth clothes.
- ✦
Don't overload your dryer; your clothes will take longer to dry and are more likely to wrinkle if they can't tumble.
- ✦
Different materials might need different settings to dry if you wash them all together. For instance, pants and hand towels may require different dryer settings.
- ✦
Use a dryer sheet for your drying cycle to increase softness and eliminate static cling. A dryer sheet can also give your clothing a pleasant, fresh smell.
- ✦
Choose the appropriate dryer cycle, then turn on the dryer. But keep in mind that not everything requires high heat. It may result in faded colours, shrinking, and general deterioration.
- ✦
If most of your load is cotton, consider using a regular cycle. A permanent press cycle can be your best option if most of the materials you need to dry are synthetic.
Things You Shouldn’t Put in the Dryer
No matter the material of the cloth you're drying, always check the labels for precise washing and drying directions. Avoid putting these things in your dryer:
- ✦
Stockings and tights: Air-drying these items will help you avoid shrinking, tangles, and other issues.
- ✦
Wool: If wool is exposed to extreme heat, it will shrink and lose its shape.
- ✦
Velvet: Go to the dry cleaners for your velvet clothes.
- ✦
Lace and silk: High heat can cause wrinkles to form that are very challenging to remove, so air-dry silk and lace items.
- ✦
Suede and leather: You should check the garment tags on these items to prevent cracks in your clothes from home drying.
- ✦
Sporting clothes: Avoid a heated tumble to preserve the mesh and padding in their entirety. Gym clothes should air dry only.
- ✦
Throw pillows: If your pillows have delicate embellishments, do not put them in the dryer.
Unloading the Dryer
As you take each piece out of the dryer, shake it out. Shaking the cloth is another opportunity to avoid the ironing board.
Consider hanging the clothes to continue drying after pulling them out of the dryer when they are mostly dry but still slightly damp.
Additionally, don't pile up your freshly dried clothes. The last thing you want is to throw warm clothes in a heap after going through the work of adequately drying them to prevent wrinkles and damage. You should hang or fold them right away to avoid any possible wrinkles.
For more practical cleaning tips and tricks, visit Cleanipedia today!
