Air-drying might be the only option for some items.
And although it may take you a little longer to finish your laundry ritual, it will save you energy and the stress of dealing with a ruined piece.
Here is a list of 10 items you will want to keep away from your dryer:
1. Leather & Suede
This works for real and faux leather alike.
Even if your piece is drenched after being caught in the heavy rain, you will not want to throw it in the dryer.
The heat can irreversibly damage the fabric.
So, if you want to ensure your leather’s longevity, hang it up to dry in the shade.
2. Fur
Again, if you get caught up in a heavy downpour or if your fur simply could do with a bit of cleaning, it is best to keep it out of the dryer.
The heat can make natural fur fall out. You should hang it up to dry away from direct sunlight.
And when it comes to faux fur, the heat can actually melt or tangle the strands.
Dry it just like natural fur, but first, make sure to run a comb through it to separate the strands.
3. Sweaters
The danger when it comes to sweaters is that they can easily lose their shape when washed or dried incorrectly.
The heat is their greatest enemy, and it can cause both natural or artificial fibers to shrink or stretch.
And it is quite impossible to return a synthetic fiber sweater to its original design.
A few natural fibered ones are not completely hopeless, although the process can be tricky.
4. Wool Clothes
Although wool clothes are generally safe to either wash in the machine or by hand, these should never go in the dryer.
Like we explained with sweaters, natural fibers are prone to shrink, and wool is no exception.
Again, it is possible to attempt to restore its original shape, but it will be difficult and require a lot of effort.
5. Bras
The thing with bras is that they use stretchy materials to help provide support.
High temperatures damage these and can also destroy the bra’s original shape.
If you want to keep your intimates properly functioning and looking like new for a longer time, prefer to hand wash and hang them up to air-dry.
6. Silk or Delicate Fabrics
Never place delicate materials, such as lace, silks, or sheer fabrics, in the dryer.
This is because the high temperatures can irreversibly wrinkle them.
More than just that, zippers and similar details can get caught in the fabric and tear holes into it.
7. Hosiery
Whether they be made of mesh, lycra-blended, silk, or wool, tights should always be hung up to dry.
This is so you can try to prevent any shrinkage, knots, and pilling.
8. Swimwear
Did you know that you should always wash your swimwear after using it? And yes, going for a swim in freshwater counts.
This is so you can remove body secretions, sunscreen oils, chlorine, sand, or salt.
And always remember to hang it up to air-dry.
Just like bras, swimwear is made of stretchy material which can easily be distorted by the dryer’s heat.
9. Activewear
Guess what else is made of stretchable synthetic material? That’s right, activewear! These fibers are designed to support muscles and endure moisture.
So, to make sure they will hold their shape, keep them away from the dryer and let them air-dry instead.
10. Tennis Shoes
Whether these are canvas shoes, leather kicks, or some nice running shoes, you will want to keep them out of the dryer.
The heat can actually make the soles separate from the shoe. So, give them time to air-dry completely.