Never Dry These Clothing Items on High Heat

In these cases, symbol familiarity is key.

And if said circle has an X through it, drying is verboten?

(I didnt.)

OK, lets hit the showers, team.

(Just kidding, we have more laundry knowledge to learn.)

I just did this yesterday.)

I definitely thought sheets on high heat was a go to effectively zap them of any odor-causing bacteria.

High heat can cause sheets to shrink over time and no longer fit your bed.

It can also cause tears in the thin fabric.

Stick to low heat; or better yet, if you could, line-dry them outside.

According toBounce, Stretchy fabrics need special care because these fibers can deteriorate under prolonged exposure to heat.

That means these items fair better when they dry flat.

Thank goodness for these tender mercies.

What about polyester in the dryer?

Similarly, polyester fibersbecause they dont absorb moisturedry quickly and dont require high heat.

Any clothing containing polyester should be dried on the permanent press setting, or low heat.

(High heat causes a rippling effect in polyester over time).

Those can be tumbled on low heat or the permanent press setting.

But knit sweaters, too?

(I think I was already doing this one, but for non-shrink reasons.

Ill take the point, even if accidental.)

Like, at all.

Same goes for wool, whose fibers will shrink and weaken in the heat.

Lingerie and most bras are delicate and should be dried flat.

You may wear more unstructured sport-throw in bras with minimal padding.

Those, according to me, can go in the dryer.

(Ive been doing it for years with no damage to report.)

So whatshouldbe dried on high heat?

Heavy cotton items that take longer to dry like towels, blankets, sweatshirts, or jeans.

(Caveat: Jean-drying preference varies from person-to-person and from jean-to-jean.

For those, stick to low heat or air drying.)