The clothes dryer is one of those appliances that makes laundry considerably easier. When you’re trying to get through several loads, it’s tempting to move everything from the washing machine directly into the dryer without giving it much thought.
But heat and constant tumbling aren’t friendly to every material. Certain fabrics can shrink, elastic can lose its stretch, adhesives can weaken, and delicate details can become damaged much faster than they would from ordinary wear.
These 10 items are especially worth pulling out and air-drying instead.
Silk Clothing
Silk blouses, scarves, lingerie, and other delicate pieces can lose their shape, texture, or finish when subjected to the heat and friction of a dryer. Follow the garment’s care label carefully and air-dry washable silk away from harsh direct sunlight.
Clothing With Lace, Sequins or Embellishments
Beads, sequins, lace, hooks, decorative trims, and glued embellishments can loosen, snag, melt, or become damaged as clothing tumbles around the dryer. These pieces generally benefit from gentler washing and air-drying, which also prevents hooks and decorations from catching on other clothes.
Wool Sweaters
Wool can shrink and felt when exposed to heat and agitation, potentially turning a perfectly fitting sweater into something considerably smaller. Unless the care label specifically allows tumble drying, reshape wool garments while they’re damp and lay them flat to dry.
Bras
Bras contain elastic, molded cups, padding, and sometimes underwires that aren’t particularly fond of repeated dryer heat and tumbling. Air-drying can help preserve the elastic and shape longer, especially with bras you spent a little more money on.
Swimsuits
Swimsuits depend on stretchy fibers such as spandex or elastane to maintain their fit, and repeated exposure to high temperatures can weaken that elasticity. Rinse swimwear after wearing it, gently remove excess water, and let it air-dry instead.
Sneakers and Shoes
Many sneakers contain foam, rubber, adhesives, and other materials that can warp or separate when exposed to dryer heat. Unless the manufacturer specifically says otherwise, remove the insoles and laces when appropriate and let washable shoes dry naturally.
Rayon and Viscose Clothing
Rayon and viscose can be particularly vulnerable when wet, and the wrong combination of heat and agitation can leave a garment shrunken or misshapen. Check the care label first and, when air-drying is recommended, gently reshape the garment while damp rather than throwing it into the dryer.
Curtains and Drapes
Even when curtains are washable, that doesn’t necessarily mean they should go through a hot dryer afterward. Heat can shrink certain fabrics, damage linings, or leave long panels difficult to straighten, so always check the care instructions before tumble drying them.
Vintage and Antique Textiles
Old quilts, embroidered linens, handmade pieces, and other vintage fabrics may already have weakened fibers simply because of their age. Aggressive tumbling and heat can put additional stress on delicate fabric and stitching, so valuable or sentimental textiles deserve much gentler care.
Clothing With Glued or Metallic Details
Decorative studs, glued-on stones, metallic accents, and similar details can loosen or become damaged by repeated heat and tumbling. Air-drying reduces unnecessary stress on those decorations and may help you get considerably more wear out of the garment.
