What not to put in the tumble dryer and what can go in
A tumble dryer is a practical household appliance for drying your washed clothes quickly and easily. But not every garment can go in the tumble dryer, since the heat and rotations can damage delicate materials and cause your clothes to shrink or lose their shape. In this article, you’ll find out what you can and can’t put in your tumble dryer, alongside plenty of other tips on how to use it properly.
December 18, 2024 • 3 min reading time
Find out which textiles you should not put in the dryer to avoid damage and material wear.
Not all textiles are cut out for the high temperatures of a tumble dryer. Some materials can shrink, their texture can change or they may even get damaged from the heat. The following garments and materials should never be put in a tumble dryer:
Wool and cashmere
Wool and cashmere are particularly delicate and tend to shrink from the heat in the tumble dryer. Always wash your wool clothes by hand or on your washing machine’s wool cycle and then leave them to air-dry – ideally laid out flat.
Fancy underwear and evening wear are often made of lace, silk or satin. Silk, in particular, is an elegant but very delicate material. The heat and mechanical spinning in the tumble dryer can roughen this smooth fabric and cause it to lose its lustre.
Since lace, silk and satin dry very quickly anyway, it is best to let these materials air-dry. You can also check the care label in your delicate garments to see whether a gentle drying cycle might be suitable for them.
Stretchy sportswear and swimwear
Functional clothing and sportswear are often made from robust yet heat-sensitive materials such as polyamide or elastane. These garments often lose their stretch and functionality when put in the tumble dryer, so they should only be dried at very low temperatures, if at all.
Econyl®, which is made from recycled nylon, also shouldn’t be put in the tumble dryer. The same applies to the fluffy synthetic fibre polyacrylic. Since this fabric quickly becomes dull and matted from the hot temperatures, it makes more sense to hang these fast-drying garments on the washing line. This helps them to stay in top shape for a long time to come.
Neither real or faux leather nor real or faux skins should be put in the tumble dryer. Leather is far too heavy for the dryer anyway, and there is a risk that it will dry out and crack from the heat. In the worst-case scenario, (faux) leather accessories can even end up completely destroyed.
You should also leave real and faux fur items to dry at room temperature if you wash them. Real skins such as lambskin and sheepskin are very delicate and, thanks to their self-cleaning properties, rarely need to be cleaned with water anyway. You should also note that it’s even worse to put these materials in the tumble dryer than in the washing machine!
You may now be wondering whether you can even put anything in the tumble dryer at all, and the answer is: yes. Despite some textiles being too delicate, there are many materials that can still be tumble-dried without any problems. These include:
Towels and bed linen: these items are usually made of natural materials, such as cotton or linen, and are therefore very resistant to heat. They often even become particularly soft and fluffy in the tumble dryer.
Cotton clothing: T-shirts, jeans and other garments made of pure cotton can also be tumble-dried as long as the care label says it’s okay to do so. When it comes to jeans in particular, however, it’s best to choose a gentle cycle so as not to put too much strain on the material.
TENCEL™: this popular cotton alternative is extremely robust and durable – even when tumble-dried at low temperatures.
Certain synthetic fibres: polyester and nylon are also often suitable for tumble-drying – but only at low temperatures. If ever in doubt, simply check the care instructions on the label.
To extend the lifespan of your clothes and achieve the best drying results, you should always consider the following tips:
Check the label: before you put your clothes in the tumble dryer, make sure to read the care label. This will tell you whether the material can go in the dryer and what temperature is recommended.
Select the right cycle: modern tumble dryers offer various cycles for different materials. A gentle cycle at a low temperature is ideal for more delicate clothing.
Don’t overload the drum: an overloaded tumble dryer will not dry your laundry evenly and can cause the clothes to come out creased or damaged. It’s therefore better to put fewer garments in the tumble dryer at once in order to dry them more gently.
Leave to air-dry if possible: delicate textiles should always be air-dried to maintain their structure and quality. However, even robust textiles can benefit from gentle air-drying from time to time.
By observing the care instructions and selecting the right drying cycle, you can ensure that your clothes stay in great condition for a long time while getting the most out of the benefits that come with having a tumble dryer.
