Any setting you can select on a dryer is considered a tumble dry setting. Most dryers allow you to select a time, heat level or dryness level, and sometimes you can choose a cycle where settings are predetermined, like Normal, Delicate, Heavy Duty or Quick Dry.
Choosing the right drying cycle
Modern tumble dryers offer various cycles to suit different fabric types and drying needs. The cotton cycle uses high heat and is perfect for towels, bedding, and sturdy cotton items. For polyester and mixed fabrics, use the synthetics cycle, which operates at medium heat.
- Use a low heat or delicate setting. High heat can cause shrinkage, especially for cotton and other natural fibers. - Choose the delicate or gentle cycle if your dryer has this option. This cycle uses lower temperatures and is more gentle on fabrics. - Avoid over-drying.
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.
Some dryers can leave brown stains on clothes due to the clothes rubbing across or getting caught in loose felt drum seals. Use a white cloth or rag to rub the inside perimeter of the dryer drum at the front and back to see if you get brown marks on the cloth or rag.
The Sun: used for warm air or heat mode. The Snowflake: used for cold air or cool mode. The Raindrop: used for dry mode. This should be used when the conditions are humid, and temperatures are mild.
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.
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.
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.
"Tumble dry" on an LG dryer means drying clothes by spinning them in the machine, avoiding shrinking or damage. Settings include Normal for cotton, Damp Dry for easy ironing, Low Temperature for delicates, and Energy Saver for heavy fabrics.
If it's raining outside or you don't have enough space at home to dry a full load, the tumble dryer will take care of the problem. The appliance is very versatile and almost all fabrics and clothing materials can go in, however before drying delicate items, we recommend reading the care labels on your clothes.
According to the Spruce, the gentle cycle is best for materials like rayon or silk, permanent press is ideal for your everyday clothes, while the normal setting should be reserved for items like towels, sheets, and jeans.
Regular/Heavy: Fastest and hottest setting of your dryer. It's best to use this setting when you're drying white or light-colored clothing. Delicates: Low heat, so drying time will be longer. It is best to use this setting to use for delicate fabrics.
Use the medium heating setting on a tumble dryer for lightweight cottons, such as T-shirts. The permanent press setting works with a medium heat. Medium is around 130 to 133°F (55 to 56ºC) on a Samsung appliance, for example.
A sensor monitors incoming air temperature. Sensing strips in the dryer drum detect moisture levels in clothes. Another sensor measures outgoing air temperature.
Anytime you put your clothes in the dryer, you are tumble drying them. This can be on any heat setting. If you don't tumble dry you clothes, you will line dry the clothes. If the washing instructions on a garment reads tumble dry low heat, do just that.
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 you tumble dry a garment that doesn't belong in the dryer, you run the risk of shrinkage, fading, and pilling.
Extra Dry –The extra dry setting means a longer cycle time, to ensure bulkier items are completely dry. This setting is perfect for drying items like bedding and towels. Cupboard Dry– This setting ensures your laundry is dry enough to be put away immediately, once the cycle is complete.
The “permanent press” or “wrinkle-resistant” setting is a great choice for many of your everyday clothing items — from slacks and dresses to outerwear and jackets. This setting generates a medium heat. It will dry your clothes without inflicting the damage high heat can cause.
For the best temperature for dry mode, set your air conditioner to 24°C. This temperature effectively reduces indoor moisture without making the room feel too cold. Dry mode controls humidity effectively, but it doesn't handle extreme cooling. Switch to cool mode on particularly hot days.