Tumble drying at too high a heat “High heat can damage the fibres of your towels, causing them to become rough and less absorbent,” explains Molly Freshwater.
Although tumble dryers can be great at giving you fluffier towels, they can also wear the fabrics down in the long run, even if you use gentler settings. That's why we suggest to line dry your towels occasionally (possibly outside, if it's a windy day), alternating between the two methods.
ULTIMATE DRYER HACK: Throwing a dry towel in the dryer with the wet clothes absorbs most of the moisture, making your items dry faster. Not only does the method cut down on the drying time, the process uses less energy so you're likely to save some money along the way!
If you put your clothes in the tumble dryer (the one's which specifically say do not tumble dry), your in danger of shrinking your clothes and ruining the shape of them basically.
There are several reasons why your dryer may not be drying, including a clogged lint screen, issues with the vent hose or a clogged vent system. Properly installing and maintaining your dryer can help avoid some issues that can interfere with performance.
Drying your towels correctly will help you achieve soft, fluffy towels. Try this method for optimal results: Take the towels out of the wash and shake them thoroughly. Put them in the tumble dryer with some clean tennis balls and dry for around 20 minutes on a high heat.
Can You Dry Towels With Clothes? Towels can be placed in the dryer with similar-weight fabrics, but they should be dried alone. Towels are heavy and absorb much more water in the washer than smaller items. Lighter-weight pieces will dry more quickly and can even be damaged by the tumbling action of heavy, wet towels.
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.
Dryers tend to shrink clothes, and coupled with the heat, it wears down the fabric. In fact, dryers have been found to shrink clothes twice as much as regular washing does, and tumble drying shrinks twice as much as normal air drying.
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.
'An added dry towel absorbs moisture from the wet clothes, which reduces the amount of water that the dryer has to remove as it heats up, she says. 'This means that the dryer can work more efficiently and dry the clothes faster.
Generally, they should be dried on low to medium heat. Use a dryer setting specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle. High heat and overdrying can cause fabric damage, so be sure to remove the towels promptly once they're dry.
Clothes that are soaking wet or dripping are heavy and this added weight in a standard dryer could damage it as it spins the load around. Always let your washer fully complete its spin cycle before removing the damp clothes and putting them in your dryer.
Fiber Damage from Heat and Chemicals
Frequent washing and drying on high heat, along with the use of harsh detergents, can damage towel fibers. This leads to broken fibers and a rougher texture that feels hard to the touch.
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.
Incorporating natural additives such as vinegar or baking soda during the wash cycle can further enhance softness. Advanced drying methods, utilizing commercial-grade dryers with precise drying cycles, play a crucial role in preserving the towels' plush texture.
Tumble drying at too high a heat
“High heat can damage the fibres of your towels, causing them to become rough and less absorbent,” explains Molly Freshwater. “It can also lead to colour fading and shrinkage.” Drying is important because it can affect the appearance of the towel.
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. Keep your dryer well ventilated, make sure the vent pipe is kink free and not blocked or crushed in any way.
A tag that says "No Tumble Dry" means don't use a dryer but instead follow other directions, such as hanging the item to dry. There is also a big difference between wash and spin cycle settings and which temperature to use for specific clothing items.
Bras are another item that should never go in the dryer. The heat can damage the elastic and cause the bra to lose its shape. With how expensive bras can be the results can be costly. Hang your bras up to dry instead.
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.
The fact that hotel owners exclusively buy high-quality towels from recognized linen manufacturers and that the maintenance process for the towels is significantly different are the two main reasons why hotel towels have better absorption power than those used at home.
How often should I wash my bath towels? Dead skin cells, bacteria, and even sweat can accumulate quickly on your towels, so using a fresh one about every three days is a simple rule of thumb—for all kinds of towels. You can of course change them more often.