Not all clothes are suitable for drying in the dryer. If you want to avoid damaging fabrics or losing their shape, some items should be air-dried instead. Here’s an overview of what definitely shouldn’t go in the dryer:
- Delicate fabrics like silk and wool: These materials are sensitive to heat and could shrink or get damaged in the dryer. Silk may lose its smoothness, and wool can shrink and lose its shape.
- Underwear and bras: The elastic materials used in underwear can lose their elasticity when exposed to heat. Bras with underwires can become deformed and lose their support.
- Clothing with prints and patches: The heat from the dryer can damage prints or cause patches to peel off.
- Clothing made from functional materials: Outdoor clothing, sports jerseys, or items with membranes (such as Gore-Tex) should not be exposed to high temperatures, as they may lose their functional properties like breathability and water resistance.
- Stuffed toys and clothing with filling: Items containing filling (such as pillows or jackets) can lose their shape or have their filling become unevenly distributed in the dryer.
- Footwear: Shoes should not go in the dryer, as they can become misshapen, and any glued parts may become damaged.