Things You Should NEVER Put in a Tumble Dryer
None of us are innocent. We haphazardly tossed an article of clothing, athletic shoes, or a household item into a dryer not realizing the outcome, and we’ve later paid the consequences for our actions. There are many things that should never be put in a tumble dryer.
Here is a list of some of those items.
1.Delicate Undergarments
It really is a given that delicate and lacy panties, bras, camisoles, and other specialty undergarments should never be put in a dryer. A dryer’s heat and tumbling action can cause harm to the fabric consist of a delicate garment. The elasticity as well as the shape of an undergarment can be damaged, and shrinkage can also occur. Most undergarments should be placed in a flat position to dry rather than hung on a hanger, which can stretch them. Tumble drying is definitely a no-no.
2.Tights, pantyhose, trouser hose
The material consists of most tights, pantyhose and hose related fabrics is much too delicate to subject them to the heat of a dryer. The heat will cause shrinkage, and the tossing and tumbling motion will likely create tangles and knots. Getting out those knots can be one irritating inconvenience.
3.Swimsuits
Swimsuits can tolerate the heat from a beach or pool area, but dryer temperatures can destroy their fabric makeup, particularly if the bathing suit contains a high concentration of spandex. Dryer heat can deteriorate the fabric as well as leave it brittle and broken. Even exercise clothing made from spandex is also considered vulnerable to dryer heat. Stretching as well as fading and fraying can occur if a higher heat setting is used. A low heat setting (if any) is the preferred heat choice.
4.Specific Fabrics
Wool, silk and certain knit fabrics shouldn’t be put in a dryer. When exposed to high temperatures, silk and wool may shrink and knitwear may shed and peel. Most garments made from these fabrics will have clothing tags that indicate no tumble drying, or dry clean only warnings.
5.Embellished Fabrics
Garments that are of a loose weave or contain sequins, beading, decals and faux stones can be subject to damage if tossed around in a dryer. These different fabric embellishments can snag or catch on other items in a dryer. It’s a whole lot easier and less damaging to allow any clothing item with major embellishments to simply air dry.
6.Athletic Shoes
Dryer heat can shrink any rubber or adhesive sections of an athletic shoe. A good and sturdy athletic shoe can be rendered useless, unstable and weak when put in a dryer. Some tennis shoes can be put in a dryer, but they should be cushioned with towels and placed in an air (cool) cycle setting.
7.Small Scatter Rugs
Small bathroom or kitchen area rugs that contain rubber backing should not be subjected to the intense heat of a dryer. The rubber will be unable to withstand the heat, which could cause cracking and crumbling of the rubber. If the rubberized backing gets too hot, a dryer fire could happen.
Read Care Tags
Before you toss anything into a dryer, you want to check garments for tags to determine whether the fabric can handle the dryer heat. Silk and wool clothing should always be checked as should loose weave, rubberized or spandex associated clothing items. Checking care tags are never a waste of time. If you want your garments to remain looking new and avoid shrinkage and other damages, you need to check those tags.
Types of Clothes Dryers
Most people think of a tumble dryer as well, just that, a dryer. It may cross their minds to think about what they shouldn’t put in one, but they are likely not aware of the different types of machines that are specially categorized as clothes dryers. The different selections or categories may surprise them. What are those specific types, or ingrained features of these dryers?
The answers include:
– Vented dryers – With a vented dryer, air is heated and blown through clothes that are in the tumbling process. Any water or moisture accumulation is removed through a vent system that either goes through an exterior pipe, an external wall hole or a window.
– Condensing/condenser dryers – A condenser tumble dryer utilizes a heat exchange system to eliminate moisture from heated air that passes through damp clothing. The moisture is collected in a receptacle (or reservoir) at the bottom of the dryer that is emptied once full.
– Heat pump dryers – This type of dryer is similar to a condenser dryer in that hot air passes over clothing, captures moisture, and hot air dries them. The difference is that air is recirculated within the dryer and no additional heat is created. The air goes on to pass through an evaporation system where excess moisture is condensed and finally distributed to a water tank.
Regardless of the type of machine chosen and utilized to dry clothing, there are simply certain things that should never be put in a dryer. Whether it happens to be dainty, delicate undergarments, spandex swimwear or rubberized area rugs, choose air or hang dry to protect and preserve your valued items from permanent damage.
