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Items to Avoid Putting in the Dryer:

Items Not Suitable for the Dryer: 14 Surprises That Could Cause Harm

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Items to Always Avoid Drying in a Dryer:
Items to Always Avoid Drying in a Dryer:

Items to Avoid Putting in the Dryer:

Laundry Day Dilemmas: A Quick Guide to Keeping Your Dryer (and Clothes) Safe!

Let's face it, the washing machine might be a chore, but the dryer seems like a godsend, right? Wrong! There are several items that should never make their way through the dryer. From causing damage to creating hazardous situations, let's discuss what you shouldn't dry and how to handle these laundry day dilemmas.

Keep 'Em Off The Dryer! 💣💧

Items to Avoid Drying in a Clothes Dryer:
  1. Sweaters: With their delicate structure, knitted fabrics are prone to shrinking, stretching, and pilling when washed incorrectly. To keep your sweater looking sharp, wash it gently (hand wash or cold water cycle) and air-dry it flat to maintain its shape and texture.
  2. Wool: This fabric is notorious for shrinking. To keep it in its original size, avoid the dryer and opt for air-drying instead. Heavier wool items, like blankets or coats, may take a long time to dry, but you can toss them on a gentle cycle in the dryer to speed things up without causing damage.
  3. Leather, Suede, and Faux Leather: These materials are sensitive to moisture, so they should not be cleaned with water or put in the dryer. High heat can cause cracking, melting, or loss of shape. Instead, take these fabrics to a professional dry cleaner who specializes in these materials.
  4. Bras: The heat from the dryer can harm the elasticity of the straps andbands, causing them to lose their stretch and the underwire to warp. To keep your bras in peak condition, skip the dryer and air-dry them flat instead.
  5. Activewear: High heat can reduce the elasticity and moisture-wicking capabilities of activewear, decreasing their performance. Wash activewear gently and lay it flat to dry to help it maintain its shape and functionality.
  6. Silk, Lingerie, and Lace: Delicate fabrics like these require special care. Air-dry them flat to avoid damage, and never wring them out, hang them up to dry, or wring them, as this can distort the shape and ruin the material.
  7. Shoes: Canvas sneakers and running shoes can suffer from melted cushioning or damaged glue when exposed to high heat. Opt for hand washing or a gentle cleaning solution to keep your shoes in tip-top shape.
  8. Swimwear: The elastic in swimwear is sensitive to heat. Wash your swimwear in cold water and air-dry it to extend its life.
  9. Faux Fur: This material is easily damaged when wet. Gently press excess water out with a towel and let it air dry on a drying rack or hanger.
  10. Oil or Gas-Stained Fabrics: These stains can create a fire hazard. Do not dry oil or gas-stained fabrics as heat can cause flammable residues to ignite.
  11. Rubber-Backed Rugs: The heat from the dryer can damage the rubber backing, causing it to melt, distort, or crumble. Wash rubber-backed rugs on a gentle cycle with warm water and hang them to air dry.

Pro Tip: Always remember to check an item's care label before using it in the dryer. An item's specific care instructions should always be prioritized over general laundry guidance.

Items You Ought to Avoid Drying in a Dryer Machine

Tips for Air-Drying Clothes:

  • Lay clothes flat on a clean towel to help absorb excess moisture.
  • Regularly flip and rearrange the clothing items while air-drying to promote consistent drying and prevent wrinkles.
  • If you need to speed up the drying process, use an air-only cycle (no heat) in the dryer with a few clean, dry cotton towels. Remove clothes within 10 minutes to prevent over-drying.

Stay tuned for our upcoming post on the most common laundry mistakes and how to avoid them! Happy laundry day! 😊🧺🧼🧺

  1. For a comprehensive checklist of laundry tips, explore the 'Laundry Tips Checklists' section on Bhg (Better Homes and Gardens) to ensure proper care of your laundry linens.
  2. In the realm of housekeeping, it's crucial to remember that linens should be air-dried or dried on a low heat setting to prevent potential dryer damage and prolong their lifespan.
  3. To minimize the risk of residues and potential fire hazards, avoid drying oil or gas-stained fabrics, rubber-backed rugs, and shoes in the dryer.
  4. Always follow the care label instructions to avoid unnecessary damage to fragile items such as silk, lingerie, lace, and faux fur, which should be air-dried instead.
  5. When managing finances, it's wise to remember that the excessive use of a creditline for extensive dry cleaning or professional care of sensitive materials could impact your financial situation.

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