If a tag says “do not tumble dry,” that means you should not put the item in the dryer, regardless of the setting. Instead, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If there aren't any explicit instructions for how to dry it, play it safe and hang it up to air-dry.
The no tumble dry icon means do not put it in the dryer. It has nothing to do with the washing machine at all. The washing icons are a completely different set from the drying icons - no overlap.
Most dryers have a setting listed as "air dry," "air fluff," or "no-heat," which indicates the program adds no additional heat while spinning your garments. Instead of adding hot air, this cycle blows room-temperature air onto your clothes as it tumbles them.
If you put them in the dryer anyway, then you're encouraging damage and pilling. The friction of the tumbling action harms the fabric along with the heat. You can lower the amount of damage by using a gentler cycle, but it won't be as gentle as drying it on a rack or a line.
If a tag says “do not tumble dry,” that means you should not put the item in the dryer, regardless of the setting. Instead, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If there aren't any explicit instructions for how to dry it, play it safe and hang it up to air-dry.
Read the Tags
"First, check the tags. Anything that says 'line dry' or 'lay flat to dry' can't tolerate the heat or the tumbling action of the dryer—or both," she says.
A square with a large circle inside that is crossed out means do not tumble dry. A square with circle inside symbol and a single dot indicates normal machine drying on a low setting. A square with three vertical lines inside indicates to drip dry, usually by hanging a dripping wet garment on a line.
Tumble dry
Tumble dry settings can be used as an alternative to air drying to help save you time and keep your clothes ready to wear. With high heat, low heat or no heat options, tumble dry is a versatile option to get your items dry. Just remember to check your garment's care tag to make sure it can be tumble dried.
You can put polyester in the dryer on a cool to medium setting. The dryer won't cause wrinkles, but polyester can be ironed on low or steamed. Air dry polyester or tumble dry at medium temperature. Polyester generally doesn't wrinkle.
Adding a fan to the room where clothes are drying can speed up the drying process significantly. Fans and dehumidifiers can be used to efficiently dry clothes by circulating air and removing moisture from the air.
If you do not have any dryer, or you simply prefer the air drying, it is possible. To do so, we recommend you lay it flat on a towel in a warm area, but out of the direct sunlight. It is better that you choose a well-ventilated area, like a shady spot outdoor or an indoor area such as a laundry, for example.
The first option is to dry your clothes indoors on airers, which makes the task completely free. Try drying them in the kitchen, which is often the warmest room in the house thanks to residual heat from cooking, or place your airer next to a radiator. If you have a dehumidifier, this will help to dry them faster.
This symbol means do not tumble dry! Instead, it's best to hang your jeans out to dry on a clothes horse or washing line, or in the airing cupboard if you have one.
If your item's label says not to tumble dry, it's best not to, even with zero heat. The tumbling movement could create wrinkles which will be hard to remove without heat. Tumbling without heat could also cause shrinkage after washing.
What does “do not tumble dry” mean? 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.
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.
Tumble dry is when you put your laundry items into the dryer instead of air-drying them. Every setting you choose when using your dryer is considered a tumble dry setting. Pretty simple, right?
Those made of 100% cotton may shrink in a dryer so it's better to air-dry them. Heavy items like beddings and towels can be tumble dried at medium to high heat to ease the process. For smaller items like cotton tees and dresses, best to dry them on low for a shorter amount of time.
HOW LONG DOES AIR DRYING TAKE? Air drying can take around four hours. The length of time can depend on a few factors: the type of material and the weather (humidity, wind and temperature).
Hang shirts, skirts, and underwear by their hemline. Hang nicer pants by their cuffs, folded, for crease lines and jeans by their waistband. Turn out the pockets to dry more quickly! Hang dresses by the shoulder seam.
Unlike heat-intensive drying cycles, the Air Fluff Cycle involves a no-heat, tumble-drying setting. It's a gentle, cool-air alternative designed to revive and refresh clothes without subjecting them to high temperatures.
So, the trick is to pop your items into the tumble dryer, on low heat, for 5 minutes or so. Only tumble in small batches for maximum efficiency! If you pop too much in at once, they will still crease.