Tumble dryers are a household essential, but the heat and tumbling action can wreak havoc on certain clothes and fabrics. From shrunken wool jumpers to damaged bras and stretched swimwear, these are five items experts say to keep out of the dryer.
Wool jumpers
A wool jumper is one of the last things you want to discover has accidentally gone through a hot tumble-drying cycle. Which? advises against tumble-drying wool because the temperatures inside the drum can cause the fibres to interlock, making the garment tighter and smaller.
Testing has found that even specialist dryers designed to gently dry wool are relatively uncommon, so air-drying remains the safest option. Gently squeeze excess water from a woollen garment without wringing or twisting it, then dry it flat to help it retain its shape.
Bras and swimwear
While it can be tempting to throw undergarments into the dryer, the heat and tumbling can be particularly hard on items such as bras. Which? says heat can bend bras out of shape and cause them to lose elasticity, potentially shortening the garment's lifespan. This is especially worth bearing in mind with bras that contain delicate lace, padding, underwiring or stretchy fabrics.
The better option is to reshape them after washing and leave them to air-dry. It's also worth popping them on a gentler wash, especially for silk, cashmere or lace items.
Swimming costumes might seem like fairly sturdy pieces of clothing, but the stretchy fibres that make them fit snugly aren't fans of tumble-dryer heat. According to Which?, the spandex in swimming costumes can distort and break when exposed to the heat of a dryer. That means repeatedly tumble-drying your swimsuit could leave it stretched, misshapen, or less supportive over time.
Instead, gently squeeze out the excess water and leave it to air-dry. Avoid wringing it out aggressively, as this can also put strain on the fabric.
Tights and embellished clothes
Tights are another item that can easily come out of a tumble dryer looking very different from when they went in. Which? warns that the delicate material can tear during tumble-drying, as heat and movement make it more vulnerable to damage. Rather than risking ladders, holes and stretched tights, leave them to dry naturally. This is important for finer tights, but they shouldn't take too long to dry outside of the tumble dryer.
When washing tights, pop them into a laundry bag to prevent them from getting tangled during the wash cycle.
The experts warned that sequins can snag during drying, while metal stones or beads could be affected by the heat. Embellishments can also catch on other garments in the drum, causing tiny rips or pulls. For any clothing item decorated with sequins, beads, and gems, air-drying is by far the safest option. Lay the garment flat or hang it according to the care label, making sure the weight of the wet fabric isn't pulling on any decoration.
