14 Items You Should Never Put In The Dryer

Laundry is a task every adult needs to complete regularly one way or another. Modern laundry machines make cleaning clothes easier than ever, but even the smartest machines can’t control what you put in them. This is why it’s essential you know the clothing that you can safely put in both machines, as well as the items you should never put in a dryer.

There are many household items you can wash but shouldn’t put in the dryer. Wool and delicate fabrics like silk, leather, and suede should be line-dried, and sometimes even hand washed. Bras, swimwear, and activewear should also be air dried, as heat from the dryer can damage these garments. Backpacks, reusable bags, rubber-backed rugs, and tennis shoes can be washed but should never go in the drier. 

It’s important to know that just because fabric is expensive and state-of-the-art, or organic and pure, it doesn’t mean that it can go in the dryer. There are many natural and synthetic products alike that can’t withstand the high heat in dryers. If you are sick of shrinking and destroying garments on laundry day, then make sure you read the following comprehensive list of items you should never put in your dryer.

14 Common Household Items You Should Never Put In The Dryer

1. Wool (Including Cashmere And Alpaca)

Wool is a natural material you should never put in the dryer. The heat and constant agitation inside a dryer can ruin wool products. A dryer can shrink, distort, and clump all wool items.

Even expensive cashmere and alpaca wool can become ruined if placed in the dryer. Ensure you wash these products separately from your other clothing and then dry them on an outdoor clothesline when possible. This will ensure these garments maintain their shape and texture for a long time.

2. Backpacks And Handbags

Backpacks and other bags that you use regularly can get quite dirty over time. Depending on the materials, there's a good chance you can wash your backpack in the washer. This does not mean, however, that you can then toss your backpack or handbag in the dryer.

Backpacks and other bags often have lots of plastic hardware and are normally made of several materials. These materials can shrink and warp when placed in a hot dryer. This can ruin your bags. To be safe, wash your backpack and then let it dry on a clothesline.

3. Silks And Other Delicate Fabrics

Silk is another natural fabric that you should keep away from the intense heat found in your dryer. Silk is one of the softest and most delicate fabrics on earth. It feels amazing on the skin, but it requires specific care if you want to keep it looking and feeling great.

Hand wash these garments, and allow them to dry naturally. In addition to keeping silk and other delicate fabrics out of your dryer, you should also avoid wringing them out. Allow them to dry flat on a towel or hung from a line. This will prevent ripping and other unnecessary signs of wear.

4. Clothing With Beads, Sequins, And Embellishments

Products you should never put in the dryer include any garments with beads, sequins, and other intricate external embellishments. Even if the sweater is made of cotton and is dryer-safe, the embellishments usually are not.

The dryer can damage the designs, and can also easily snag when tossing around in the dryer. This can ruin the garment and even damage other garments that you dry along with them, as the snagging can ruin other clothing.

5. Bras And Other Delicate Undergarments

Bras and some other undergarments have wires, hooks, and other intricate design features that can warp and experience damage when placed in the dryer. Many bras are quite expensive, so you must take good care of them, especially when you clean them.

Wash bras with other delicate garments, and then allow them to dry on a clothesline. This can help your undergarments last much longer and also keep them comfortable and functional for longer.

6. Swimsuits

Swimsuits, especially form-fitting body suits, can go in your washing machine but should stay away from your dryer. Swimsuits are often constructed from man-made stretchy materials like spandex. This fabric can break down faster when exposed to heat. 

In turn, it will not fit as comfortably, and not last very long. Air dry your swimsuits if they have stretchy material like spandex. Board shorts and some other men’s swimwear can be placed in the dryer (as long as the tag says it’s dryer-safe).

7. Leather And Suede

Leather is a tricky material to clean. In most cases, leather and suede should be dry cleaned and spot cleaned, but never put in a washing machine. Even if leather products can go safely in the washer, you should never dry them in a dryer, which can cause leather to warp, wrinkle, and even crack. Always line dry any wet leather.

8. Sneakers 

Sneakers and tennis shoes can get very dirty. Sometimes, it just takes one muddy hike to completely soil your shoes. Some shoes and sneakers can go in the washing machine on a low and delicate setting.

You should never put your sneakers in the dryer, even if they made it safely through the washer. High heat can damage the cushioning, and even mess up the materials. Shoes can also damage a dryer, denting its interior.

9. Spandex And Activewear

Just as spandex bathing suits should never go in the dryer, any stretchy activewear should also be line-dried. Ensure you check all the care tags on your activewear. Some shorts and shirts may be dryer-safe. Tights, leggings, and other form-fitting items, however, are best when dried on a line. This will prevent warping and will help stretchy clothing last longer.

10. Rugs With Rubber Backing

Indoor rugs get dirty for all sorts of reasons. If one of your rugs gets dirty, it makes sense that you want to throw it in the wash right away. While many rugs can survive the washer, some can die a slow and crumbly death if tossed into the dryer.

Rugs with rubber backing on the bottom should usually stay out of the dryer. This rubber backing can crack and crumble when exposed to heat, thus ruining the rug. 

11. Fur And Faux Fur

Fur and faux fur are materials that should never go in a dryer. When you dry fur and faux fur, not only can you damage the material, but you can also cause the material to clump. To avoid this unsightly clumping, remove excess moisture from the fur with a towel, and then allow it to completely dry on a line.

12. Reusable Bags

Many stores are going green, and in turn, there are a lot more reusable bags in most homes. These eco-bags can last a long time, but they get dirty from time to time. These reusable bags, however, are not usually made of materials that can survive the dryer. These bags can shrink and even fall apart when exposed to prolonged periods of heat. Instead, hand wash them and then allow them to dry naturally on the line.

13. House Slippers

Some people wear house slippers every day. Over time, they get dirty and smelly — even when you wear them with clean socks. Some house slippers can go in the washer, and some brands can even survive the dryer.

Most house slippers, however, have rubber or fur elements that will become damaged if they go in the dryer. These types of slippers should be spot-cleaned or hand-washed and then dried on a clothesline.

14. Any Garment With An ‘Line Dry Only’ Tag

The list above has most items that should never go in a dryer, but you must always check the care tags on all your garments. Clothing that looks safe may have some synthetic elements that shouldn’t be exposed to heat. Ensure you are in the habit of checking the care tags on all new garments before washing and drying them.

Summing Up The Items You Shouldn’t Put In The Dryer

Washing machines and dryers have made doing laundry easier than ever, but you still need to put some thought into laundry. There are many items that you can wash in a machine but should never go in a dryer. Wool, leather, silk, fur, and faux fur should never go in the dryer. You should also line dry any garments with beading and sequins, as well as bags, backpacks, and sneakers. Bras, spandex, and bathing suits should also be dried on a line.

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