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.
If the symbol says 'do not tumble dry' then don't: it will ruin the clothes eventually, even though they'll look fine for the first little bit.
I recommend a light heated tumble dry until just damp, then try hanging it in your car or in front of a fan. I am terrible about following these directions myself.
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.
No. If it says line dry, the fabric is not suitable to tumble dry - it may shrink, it may permanently wrinkle, and may ruin the garment completely. Follow the instructions.
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.
Air-Drying. There are two ways to air-dry an item: Line or hang drying and laying flat to dry! To "line dry" an item means that it is hanging, whether it's draped over a line, attached to a line with clothespins, or positioned on a hanger.
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.
Fabric Damage
Every time you chuck your wet clothes into the tumble dryer, the process causes microscopic harm to the fabric of your textiles. While it's difficult to spot this damage with the naked eye, you may notice lint accumulating in the lint tray, which indicates collective damage.
Yes, cotton usually shrinks in the dryer due to heat causing the fibers to contract. To prevent shrinkage, wash cotton in cold water and air dry when possible, or use low heat settings. You just pulled your favorite cotton t-shirt out of the dryer, only to find it's now better suited for your pet dog—yikes.
Just like washing, machine drying t-shirts is best done at lower temperatures to minimise any negative effects on the garment. Choose shorter drying cycles where the tumble dryer has no specific heat level settings.
A square with a large, empty circle inside indicates tumble dry normal. 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.
Tumble Dry No Heat
Sometimes labeled as air fluff, this setting uses only air circulation without any added heat. It's excellent for removing lint and refreshing clothes that may have a musty odor.
If the item is a sweater or other knitwear, lay it flat on a towel in a dry place out of the sun. Turn it over onto a fresh towel when partly dried. Other types of clothing and household linens can be hung to dry on a clothesline or a drying rack - again, out of direct sunlight if there's a chance of color damage.
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.
Unshrinking clothes is easier than you might think. All it takes is lukewarm water and gentle shampoo or conditioner to bring your garments back to life. Here's how: Fill a basin with lukewarm water, ensuring the temperature is just right—not too hot and not too cold.
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.
Shrinking in tumble dryers primarily occurs due to heat application, so the greater the heat, the more likely clothes are to shrink, depending on the fabric.
Rips and Tears
Unfortunately, this is a very real risk because while you can't see your clothing it will get damaged every time it goes through a drying cycle. There's not really a lot you can do about this, but the good news is the damage is microscopic.
The Towel Roll Technique
If you want to quickly dry your clothes without a dryer, try the towel roll method. This technique involves wrapping wet clothing in one or multiple dry towels to absorb water then adding paper towels on top for extra moisture extraction.
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.
Low heat is usually around 125 degrees Fahrenheit and is designed for delicate items like knitwear or sheer fabrics, as well as workout clothes made of high-performance fabric like spandex and lycra. Low heat helps protect heat-sensitive fabrics from fraying, fading, wrinkling, stretching and warping.
Air-dry clothes on a rod or lay them flat on a drying rack when air-drying garments inside the home. Keep garments separated to allow air circulation and faster drying. Place clothes near a fan or a heat vent to air-dry more quickly.
Timed Dry: With Timed Dry, the dryer runs the amount of time set and sometimes results in shrinkage, wrinkling, and static due to over-drying. Use Timed Dry for the occasional damp load that needs more drying time or when using the drying rack.
The Purpose of Drying Flat
By laying these items flat to dry, you allow them to dry naturally while maintaining their original shape and structure.