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.
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.
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.
Drying Symbols
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.
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.
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.
WHAT IS TUMBLE DRY? 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The constant tumbling and exposure to high heat can cause your fabrics to wear out faster. Your favorite T-shirts might fade, and the elasticity in your undergarments could deteriorate. Over time, this can lead to a shorter lifespan for your clothing items, meaning you'll need to replace them more frequently.
In Short: Leggings in the Dryer is a No-No
If you're curious, here's a list of common items that you should avoid putting in the dryer: Anything with spandex, including leggings, yoga pants, sports bra etc. This includes all activewear or athletic apparel.
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.
If you do not have any dryer, or you simply prefer the air drying, it is possible. To do so, we recommend you lay it flat on a towel in a warm area, but out of the direct sunlight. It is better that you choose a well-ventilated area, like a shady spot outdoor or an indoor area such as a laundry, for example.
When you're drying clothes indoors, try to position your washing near an open window or somewhere with good airflow. Avoid layering too many clothes on top of one another as this can delay the drying process.
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.
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.
Tumble dry is when you put your laundry items into the dryer instead of air-drying them. Every setting you choose when using your dryer is considered a tumble dry setting.
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.
Basic washing instruction symbols on clothing labels
If you see the “Do not wash” symbol (a crossed out bucket filled with water) on the fabric care label, that means the garment can't be safely laundered by any process, and instead needs to be dry cleaned with a solvent.