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.
You can tumble dry almost everything but you really have to pay attention to temperature and time. Using the hottest setting isn't always best. Leaving it going until everything is bone dry isn't always best either. Some garments are better getting mostly dry in the dryer but allowed to air dry by being removed early.
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.
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.
The mechanical tossing of your clothes in the dryer and the forced air cause your clothes to constrict and shrink after they balloon in the washer. Cotton and wool are the most vulnerable to these actions. There are also certain materials that shouldn't be put into the tumble dryer: Leather or faux leather.
Don't leave appliances unattended – don't turn the tumble dryer on before you leave the house or go to bed. Tumble dryers contain powerful motors with fast moving parts that can get very hot.
Bras, Swimwear, Exercise Clothes, and Other Spandex Fabrics
"The intense heat of the dryer can break down the fibers in fabrics that contain spandex and cause damage over time or cause the spandex to lose elasticity," says Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations at Two Maids.
Places to avoid when installing your tumble dryer
The garage is a no-go area for installing your tumble dryer. For the appliance to work, the room temperature needs to be at least above 5°C, and this can't be guaranteed in the garage – particularly during winter.
Fabrics that can be dried:
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.
Disadvantages of tumble drying
One significant disadvantage is its high energy consumption, which can contribute to increased electricity bills. Also, it is essential to be mindful of potential fabric damage, as the heat can cause shrinkage or damage to delicate fabrics if not used correctly.
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.
Lace, silk and satin
The heat and mechanical spinning in the tumble dryer can roughen this smooth fabric and cause it to lose its lustre. Since lace, silk and satin dry very quickly anyway, it is best to let these materials air-dry.
Tumble dryers and washing machines contain powerful motors with fast moving parts that get very hot. If you don't clean and maintain your machine, excess fluff or lint can build up over time and catch fire.
Over or Underload Your Dryer
However, overloading your tumble dryer is more dangerous as it can damage the drum. It also won't be energy efficient either but at least underloading is unlikely to cause damage. So, be careful when loading the dryer and try to get a good balance of clothing per cycle.
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.
Line drying or clothes rack drying will always be the more sustainable and cost-effective way of drying your clothes. Energy Saving Trust says that avoiding the use of your tumble dryer could potentially save you money each year.
Tumble dryer in A class will drain 90 % of water from clothes and store it in condensation unit.
What Can – and What Cannot – Be Tumble Dried? Any clothing that displays the tumble dry symbol can safely be dried in the tumble dryer, while it's best to dry clothing with a do not tumble dry symbol naturally, either outside on the washing line, indoors on a clothes horse, or laying flat on thick, absorbent towels.
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.
A dryer Delicate cycle is typically a tumble dry cycle that uses low heat. Low heat helps protect heat-sensitive fabrics from fraying, fading, shrinking, stretching and warping. Depending on the make and model of your dryer, the cycle may be labeled Delicate, Gentle or Tumble Dry Low.