Tumble dryer do’s & dont’s

[maldivemoment]

We’ve just bought a tumble dryer. First time ever owning one 😊.
Just wondering if there is anything I should not/must not throw in it?

Thanks in advance.

I always check the labels. Not everything can go in. Remember to check fluff filter too!

Just make sure to check the label on clothes, it will say if not suitable for tumble dryer. Especially be careful with knitwear.
I have sneaked a few thinks in that were old and said no tumble dry but I did them on low heat and got them out before they were completely dry.

Wolfieran thank you but I was hoping someone may be able to give me a few ‘definite dont’s’ to save me looking at every label!

Most viscose/rayon cannot go in and will shrink. Once you've washed it a few times, you might get away with it.

I put things which say they can't be tumble dried in with a couple of clean, damp cloths for about 15-20 minutes once they have line dried to drop the creases. You have to remember to whip them out straightaway the dryer has finished and hang them up or fold. Saves ironing.

I would check the label on everything. You’ll quickly learn what can’t go in.
And YY to avoiding ironing! Love my tumble drier!

As above.
Also, remove the fluff from the filter after every use, and if it is a condenser dryer empty the tank after every use.

Thanks all. Looks like I’ll be checking labels! 🙄😆

Don't put a cat in. Whilst it will come out dryer and warmer it will not be very happy.

Yeah as above you soon learn what can go in. But as a rule towels and sheets can go in and cotton's but check label for synthetic things and linen and watch out for t-shirts with designs or stick on embellishments etc.

I also agree with previous posters that if you whip out of dryer as soon as done and fold it, there is no ironing needed!!

Don't put socks in, they lose their elasticity quickly

I find socks to be completely unaffected by tumble drying unless they are expensive ones (the thick bamboo ones I bought recently that I'm not risking) or walking socks containing wool.

Tumble dry the duvet cover of a double bed or bigger separately from the fitted sheet and pillowcases to minimise creasing.

The same goes for large washes - I find there's less tangling and fewer creases if I don't ram everything in, even though the dryer dries it all, it's just less work afterwards. I hate ironing.

Yep, don't put wool socks in (or wool jumpers). Hoodies and sweatshirts can shrink a bit and go a bit bobbly. Other than that I'm afraid you'll have to read the labels. Oh and always do duvet covers up before tumble drying them (if you don't already do so for washing), otherwise small items get stuck inside them and don't dry properly.

No wool
No gym kit / technical
No bras / knickers for me. Kids underwear and DHs come out fine
Nothing embellished

We mostly use it for bedding, towels, cotton pjs / tshirts /

Thanks all. This is great 👍🏻

What I put in:
Pants
Socks
Pyjamas
Towels
Bedding (I dry the duvet cover separately to the fitted sheet and pillowcases as I find that it takes ages if I put them in together)

What I don't put in:
Bras
Jeans/trousers
Tops and sweatshirts
Anything delicate

What I put in on 'low heat':
Joggers
Thermals

I put everything on a low heat but have noticed that skinny jeans (ones that have stretch to them) and socks have shrunk. Even ones that state they're tumble dryer safe.

If you want “wardrobe ready” meaning snuff dry, you may have to over-ride the factory settings.
They sell tumble dryers with an ecology rating like A+++, but your clothes come out still damp.
I’ve heard of this for models made by Samsung, Bosch and in my case Ignis.

A dry towel kept in the drum also helps to rub things dry faster.

Remove the lint every time.

We put everything in ours except sports kit (technical fabrics), sweatshirts and wool. All on a low setting. Sheets and towels go on a higher setting (ours has lots of settings but we only use 3 or 4 of them).

Jeans, socks (except football ones), bras (in net bags), embossed teeshirts are all fine in ours but it seems that's not universally true so take care.

Oh, and be prepared to replace the elastic in fitted sheets well before they’re threadbare. Anything with elastic, really. But the benefits for kids clothes (you
buy fewer clothes as they’re back in use faster, plus they grow out of what clothes they have) is worth the damage.

I bought a tumble dryer at the beginning of lockdown. Best purchase ever! I chick everything in apart from bras and DH t - shirts as he thinks they will shrink 🙄

Living in a flat with no outside space and 2 young mucky boys it's been a godsend!

I have a candy one and use the option "mix and dry"

Take out straight away and fold- can't remember the last time I ironed clothes- don't even know where it is!

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

Don't put a cat in. Whilst it will come out dryer and warmer it will not be very happy.

I turned mine on with the cat in once, luckily I realised the clattering didn't sound right and straight away opened the door. He was fine.

I only use mine for smalls (not bras) towels and bedding. Even just drying those items is a godsend. T shirts, pyjamas have all shrunk even when it says they can be tumble dried.