Does a tumble dryer ruin clothes? (2023)

What clothes should not be tumble dried?

Appliance, a Neighborly company, explains that air-drying “will save money, reduce wear-and-tear of clothing from tumbling in the dryer, and ease concern about ruining clothing.” Air-drying your clothing outside is also better for your health and the environment.

Air dry vs tumble dryer

Air drying clothes is more environmentally friendly, saves money, reduces wrinkles and creases, and increases the lifespan of your clothes. However, air-drying clothes is dependent on the weather, takes more time and requires a little more effort.

Tumble dryers aren't just used to dry clothes people use them for all kinds of things. But one thing you should definitely avoid doing is drying thick duvets, sheets, and blankets. Because these are big, dense materials there isn't enough room in the drum for the air to properly circulate.

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.

No. 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. Tumbling without heat could also cause shrinkage after washing.

If you have room for a dedicated tumble dryer then it's a far better choice than any washer dryer. The best tumble dryers will dry clothes far faster – and in many cases, more gently – than any washer dryer could manage, and they'll also dry bigger loads of washing at once, which is a godsend for any household.

With continuous overdrying, the sleeves and pants of your clothes will keep getting shorter as they steadily shrink. Additionally, consistently leaving your clothes for too long in the tumble dryer could cause them to fade faster than they would otherwise.

Hung outside, the ultraviolet light from the sun kills bacteria effectively in your laundry. Plus, clothes dried in the sun produce a range of aldehydes and ketones; organic compounds that our noses associate with the scent of plants or perfumes.

What is the best way to dry clothes indoors?

Hang-dry clothes on a rod or lay them flat on a drying rack when air-drying garments inside the home. Keep garments separated to allow air circulation and faster drying. Place clothes near a fan or a heat vent to air-dry more quickly.

An average wash load should take between 30-45 minutes to dry in a good tumble dryer, with an average time of 40 minutes for most clothing items. However, items like jeans and towels will take longer to dry than other items, so may need to be kept in longer.

How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer? According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average tumble dryer uses roughly 4.5 kWh per cycle.

Set your dryer to a low heat and tumble setting.

Turn the dials to the lowest possible setting to prevent the hoodie from shrinking or being damaged. If the dryer has a no-heat option, set it to that so your hoodie is tumble-dried only. A low tumble setting will help keep your hoodie from getting wrinkled.

Can you tumble dry cotton? Cotton is a popular material for clothes and bedding as it's a natural, breathable fibre. While cotton clothes are common, they aren't all suited for tumble drying. 100% cotton clothes are likely to shrink when tumble dried, however, some cotton blends might be fine to dry on a lower heat.

If a garment is labeled “tumble dry,” all that means is you are free to dry that item in a dryer vs. air dry flat or line dry. With that said, a tumble dry care label doesn't mean you HAVE to dry that item in a dryer. Air drying is still a gentler, eco-friendly drying option.

Tumble dry clothes on a low heat

Drying your clothes on a low heat may take longer, but it's much better than drying your clothes on a high heat, which results in a bigger risk of them shrinking. The reason behind the shrink risk is because heat can damage the fibres.

The fabric has a smooth texture and can shrink or melt when exposed to high heat. To properly wash and care for your polyester clothes, you should avoid exposing them to high temperatures in the washer or dryer.

DRY IT NATURALLY

Air drying is an essential step for looking after your printed t-shirt, as tumble drying can cause your t-shirt to shrink and damage the print. If you're pushed for time, tumble it in the lowest setting, but otherwise, leave your t-shirt to dry on a drying rack or clothesline, out of direct sunlight.

What happens if you only put one thing in the dryer?

Can You Put One Piece of Clothing in the Dryer? Yes, you can put one piece of clothing in a dryer however, it will work better with a full load. If you put in just one item it will still take just as long to dry, so it is more energy-efficient if you dry more than one item.

How to Dry Towels. You can use a dryer for your luxury towels, or you can choose to let them air-dry. To use your home dryer, simply choose the regular or automatic cycle to maximize fluffiness, as over-drying can damage delicate fibers.

Fabrics that shrink easily include cotton, wool, silk, linen, and hemp. Fabrics made from natural fibers are more prone to shrinkage than clothes made from synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester. However, spandex will shrink in the dryer.

'Taking a national average of 15 cents per kilowatt (kWh), you are looking at 30 to 90 cents per hour of running a tumble dryer, depending on energy consumption.

Per hour. If the average tumble dryer cycle takes 40 minutes and uses 4.5 kWh, this means that the average tumble dryer will use 6.75 kWh per hour. With current electricity prices of 34 pence per kWh, this means that running a tumble dryer for one hour will cost £2.30.