WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TUMBLE DRY VS. DELICATE? The Delicate cycle is typically a tumble dry cycle that uses low heat. Depending on the make and model of your dryer, the cycle may be labeled Delicate, Gentle or Tumble Dry Low.
Tumble dry low (or Delicate/Gentle cycle) is ideal for loosely woven fabrics or anything with embellishment, like beading, sequins and iron-on decals (sports jerseys). It's especially important to dry spandex/exercise clothing on low heat because it helps retain the garment's fit and performance.
Delicates: Low heat, so drying time will be longer. It is best to use this setting to use for delicate fabrics. Permanent Press: Medium heat while drying and is best used for colored fabrics.
Delicate cycle:
This cycle uses the lowest temperature and the lowest tumble. Since delicate items and woolens should not be put in the dryer, we often use this setting for drying synthetics, lingerie, and other heat-sensitive everyday items.
For polyester and mixed fabrics, use the synthetics cycle, which operates at medium heat. Delicate items benefit from the low heat of the delicates cycle. If you're in a hurry, many dryers offer a quick dry cycle for small loads or items you need fast.
Delicate textiles that show two lines below the dryer symbol need extra-gentle drying and a special dryer programme (like a wool programme) for proper care. A dryer symbol with a dot inside the circle means that you should only dry your item at low temperatures up to 60°C.
The delicate wash cycle uses high levels of cold water and a low spin speed for carefully tending to undergarments and delicate fabrics that need to be handled with care, like lace, lingerie, or silk neckties. Specialty items like electric blankets or stuffed animals may also benefit from a delicate wash.
“A good general rule of thumb is to stick to cold and delicate cycles,” says LaLonde. “Cold cycles are the way to go to prevent shrinking. Most fabrics are much more susceptible to shrinking when exposed to high heats.”
Hand wash. The hand wash program replicates the gentle motions of hand washing. It's perfect for delicate items that cannot be washed in a regular cycle.
A typical drying cycle takes about 45 minutes, but this time can vary depending on the cycle, heat setting and size of your load. Delicate cycles take roughly 15 minutes, while heavy cycles, like bedding, can take up to three hours to fully dry.
As a general rule, higher temperatures are best used for heavy items, like towels, jeans and jackets. Low to medium heat settings are ideal for sheets, blouses and undergarments, while no-heat settings are designed for heat-sensitive fabrics or garments containing rubber or plastic.
Wool jumpers, silk garments, and bras may often display the do not tumble dry symbol as they could become damaged in the machine, or the material could become weakened. Silk can shrink in high temperatures and wool can pile which affects the look of the fabric.
If your washer leaves clothes soaked, you may also need to check your cycle settings. Hand Wash or Delicate settings often use slower spin speeds to avoid harming fragile fabrics, leaving a standard wash load soaking wet.
"Delicate" washing involves using a gentle cycle with minimal agitation, cool or warm water, and a short wash cycle. This method is best for delicate fabrics such as silk, lace, and cashmere, as well as items with embellishments or prints that may run or fade in a regular cycle.
The Delicates Cycle
A delicate wash or “hand wash” cycle is the machine equivalent to handwashing! This cycle uses warm or cold water with low or no spin. It's typically the shortest and most gentle cleaning cycle, and the low or no-spin allows for minimal fabric agitation.
Avoiding heavy duty cycles, fast spins and high-heat drying can also prevent shrinkage. Use delicate cycles instead, and place delicate clothes in a mesh laundry bag for added protection. When drying, consider a low-heat or air dry setting. When in doubt, always follow the instructions on your garment's care tag.
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.
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.
Hang drying on a clothesline is always best for delicate items, but if you're in a pinch, the low-heat delicate cycle on your dryer is your safest option. Just be sure to remove your garments from the dryer while they're still damp because over-drying can make delicate fibers brittle and lead to shrinkage.
The gentle cycle reduces agitation and minimizes the risk of wear and tear. If your machine doesn't have a dedicated delicate cycle, opt for a short and cold water cycle to protect your clothes.
Tumble drying is simply machine drying rather than line drying or laying flat to dry. This method is called “Tumble Dry” because clothes tumble in the dryer drum where airflow, along with heat, dries clothes quickly. But not all fabrics are made to be tumble dried—always check the care tag first.