What clothes shouldn't you put in the dryer?

Author: Dr. Buddy Sporer PhD  |  Last update: Thursday, October 9, 2025

What materials should you NOT put in the dryer?
  • Items that use spandex (bras, gym clothes, swimwear etc.) ...
  • Silk and other delicate fabrics. ...
  • Leather, fake leather and suede. ...
  • Wool. ...
  • Clothes with sequins, beads or other glued-on parts. ...
  • Jeans and other denim items. ...
  • Cotton garments. ...
  • Polyester blends.

What type of clothes should not go in the dryer?

If you usually use dryer to dry your clothes, than you should be careful of putting lace, silk and sheer into the dryer. In addition, Cashmere and Wool, silk, bras, Structured Garments, Clothing with Embellishments and Leather should never put in the dryer. Due to high heat that can shrink and leaving a hole or pull.

What is not suitable for the dryer?

Neither real or faux leather nor real or faux skins should be put in the tumble dryer. Leather is far too heavy for the dryer anyway, and there is a risk that it will dry out and crack from the heat. In the worst-case scenario, (faux) leather accessories can even end up completely destroyed.

How do you know if your clothes are dryer safe?

If you check the labels on your clothes there should be a symbol indicating whether it can go in the tumble dryer or not. It's the circle in the square - if it's crossed out, it can't go in there. If not, there will be dots to indicate how hot you can have the dryer - 1 for a cooler dry, 2 for a hotter one.

Can you put any clothes in the dryer?

Most clothes and linens can safely be dried in the automatic dryer. The exceptions are fiberglass, rubber, and plastic; certain especially heat-sensitive fabrics, such as olefin (polypropylene); many acetate, acrylic, and spandex fabrics; certain knits; drip-dry clothes; and many delicate fibers...

Things You Can and Can't Put in the Dryer!

Is it OK to put everything in the dryer?

Delicate clothing made from silk, leather, or wool, and anything with embellishments (such as beaded items) should never be put in the dryer as the high heat can damage them beyond repair.

Can I dry white clothes with black?

Not a good idea, say the experts. 'Drying clothes with colors can cause the colors to bleed and mix,' says Maria Mooney, brand director and cleaning expert for Truly Free. 'It's best to dry whites and colors separately to ensure the quality of your fabrics stays intact.

What should I avoid putting in the dryer?

What materials should you NOT put in the dryer?
  • Items that use spandex (bras, gym clothes, swimwear etc.) ...
  • Silk and other delicate fabrics. ...
  • Leather, fake leather and suede. ...
  • Wool. ...
  • Clothes with sequins, beads or other glued-on parts. ...
  • Jeans and other denim items. ...
  • Cotton garments. ...
  • Polyester blends.

What does p mean on clothes?

The letters A, F or P inside a circle on your garment's care tag indicates that the item should be dry cleaned and instructs the dry cleaner what type of cleaner to use. An A means they can use any solvent, an F means any solvent except Trichloroethylene and a P directs them to use petroleum solvents only.

What usually goes bad on a dryer?

The heating elements on an electric dryer and the gas valve coils are the parts that most often go bad on a standard dryer. Also, for smart dryers, the sensor can sometimes stop working for a variety of reasons.

What damages dryers?

12 Bad Habits That Are Damaging Your Washer & Dryer
  • You don't empty your pockets. ...
  • You put lingerie in the washer & dryer. ...
  • You use too much detergent. ...
  • You cram the washing machine too full. ...
  • You leave wet clothes in the washing machine. ...
  • You're overloading your dryer. ...
  • You're overusing dryer sheets. ...
  • You're mixing items.

What fabric is not suitable for tumble drying?

Materials not suitable for tumble-drying

Waterproof fabrics can lose their water-repellent properties, and rubber items can melt or deform, which can damage both the item and the dryer. Silk is another material that can shrink or damage in the dryer, as can some woollen items.

Can I put hoodies in the dryer?

Drying Specific Hoodie Materials

Fleece hoodies should be air-dried to maintain their softness and prevent pilling. Polyester hoodies are more durable and can be machine-dried on a low setting, but air-drying is preferable to avoid any potential heat damage.

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.

Is it bad to put leggings in the dryer?

Avoid the dryer! Just like warm water, hot air can damage and warp the stretchy fibers of leggings. It's recommended to hang dry leggings on a rack or clothesline, instead.

What is the least damaging dryer setting?

Delicate or Gentle

On the other hand, delicate settings use the lowest amount of heat and tumbling action, explains Pozniak. This cycle is best for fragile fabrics or laundry pieces that may start to melt, fray, stretch, or fade in high-heat conditions.

What does P clothing mean?

There's a good chance you've come across clothing labeled as "petite size" while browsing clothing racks or shopping online. Developed by fashion designer Hannah Troy in the 1940s, petite sizing is designed for people who are 5'4" and under.(1)

Can I tumble dry socks?

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.

What does the F mean in clothes?

The F Clean means the clothing/garments are not suitable to be put into a normal wash in a machine or a normal dry cleaning process.

What clothes shouldn't go in the dryer?

What Clothes Should Not Go In The Dryer: Protecting Your Fabrics
  • Key Takeaways. ...
  • Spandex (bras, gym clothes, swimwear) ...
  • Delicate Fabrics (silk, lace, sheer net) ...
  • Leather, Faux Leather, and Suede. ...
  • Wool. ...
  • Clothes With Embellishments (sequins, beads) ...
  • Denim. ...
  • Cotton.

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 fabrics shrink in the dryer?

What Types of Fabrics Shrink Easily? Fabrics that shrink easily include cotton, wool, silk, linen, and hemp. Fabrics made from natural fibers are more prone to shrinkage than clothes made from synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester. However, spandex will shrink in the dryer.

Do I really have to wash separately?

“If you are washing new or heavily dyed clothes, it is always a good idea to separate them by color to prevent bleeding,” explains Stein. “Similarly, if you have delicate fabrics like silk or wool, separating them can help prevent damage during washing.” This can also go for towels and clothing.

How many dryer sheets per load?

For a medium sized load, use two. For a large or extra-large load use 3. If you find yourself often doing large loads, you may want to consider using one of Bounce's new Mega Sheets. Mega sheets are specially designed to provide 3X static and wrinkle fighting ingredients* with just one sheet.

Can colors bleed in the dryer?

Drying clothes with colors can cause the colors to bleed and mix, which can ruin both the clothes and the dryer. When you put wet clothes in the dryer, the heat causes the fibers of the fabric to open up and release any dye that is still present in the fabric.

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