Tumble driers and shrinking stuff?

[CelticJuggler]

I have a tumble drier which I use for bedding, towels etc. Occasionally use it for underwear.

I usually have oodles of washing hanging up (Scotland so wet pretty much all the time!) and it's getting irritating especially when guests are round so I was starting to think about using it for more mundane items as well.

I obviously wouldn't tumble items that tell me not to, but I'm worried about stuff shrinking if I use it.

So, does it shrink stuff?

[SwedishEdith]

Is it a vented one or a condenser? My limited experience of both is that the vented did shrink stuff if on the normal heat setting but there's usually a cooler option. The condenser doesn't seem to - I now put everything in. But it's an A+ energy rated one which, I wonder, means it doesn't actually get that hot. Just experient gradudally with clothes you care less about?

[CelticJuggler]

Vented - and it does have a cooler option; I just have memories of my parents old machine shrinking everything in sight.

[Frontdoorstep]

I put just about everything in mine tbh. I've a few tops that I don't tumble but not very many an I'm probably just being ultra cautious with them.

[Back2Basics]

Omg everything but delicate stuff goes in mine.

You are causing damp and all sort of problems by letting loads and loads of washing dry indoors. It's the biggest cause of damp in houses.

[GingerRodgers]

I just lob it all in together. Never read care labels.
I do just finish them off in the dryer though, drip dry all day then tumble for 20 mins before bed.

[MrsSpencerReid]

I tumble everything except my bamboo cloth nappies!! If clothes aren't fit to tumble they aren't fit to wear and yes, I do care more about the nappies than my clothes I do tumble on a low heat setting tho

[MrsSpencerReid]

To answer your question (have been at the sorry) some things do shrink but things like jeans stretch again after being worn I don't think I've ever shrunk something enough for it not to be wearable

[FinallyGotAnIPhone]

I tumble dry everything these days. I've had a washer dryer in rented homes for years which I never used. In my current rented house there is a fancy condenser drier. I decided to dip my toe and try it... Now I put everything in apart from very delicate things. I put most on low. Not sure how I managed without one for so long to be honest?!! Makes life so much easier and doesn't appear to wreck my clothes.

[FinallyGotAnIPhone]

Sorry I've been on the vino too... Not noticed it shrinking anything ...

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

Don't tumble pure wool/cashmere etc. Cottons are fine, most artificial fabrics also tumble fine these days, though I'm more cautious with them and let them dry naturally (and very quickly).

[CelticJuggler]

Hmm, looks like I might have to give it a go!

How do you stop things getting static-y? DH loves soft touch shirts which are bad enough when they're just drip drying; I suspect he could power the house if I don't find a solution!

[Catsmamma]

I always tumble on the lowest setting and then air it all off in the house

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

I had to google "soft touch shirts" and it seems they're 100% polyester. I'd leave them to dry outside of the tumbler, tbh, the static may well be bad! Though you could try a low heat and one of those sheets impregnated with fabric conditioner.

[CelticJuggler]

Yeah, they are a pain, but don't irritate DH's skin so it's a lesser of two evils.

TBF, they only take a few hours to dry so not the end of the world. I'll try my work top that's a PITA to iron and see how it goes!

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

If it's a pita to iron, don't let it overdry. Might be best to dry it alone (probably won't take long) as some fabrics crease even more badly in the tumbler, but the risk is reduced if it's not being bashed by other items.

Actually, you might be better bypassing the tumbler and ironing your pita workware straight from the washing machine, then hanging itup to finish drying.

[CelticJuggler]

Probably, but that would require me being organised

Will see how it goes today!