Dryer - how to care for clothes of different fibres
Most people are aware that some textiles should not be put in the dryer. But unfortunately, it happens again and again that favorite items have shrunk either in the washing machine or in the dryer. Depending on the material of the garment, different steps are necessary to protect the brand-new t-shirt or dream dress from shrinkage.
Prevent shrinkage of clothing
The first tip to protect your clothes is to look at the label with care instructions. Consumers are clearly informed on the label about the temperature at which your clothes should be washed, whether they should not be put in the dryer at all or whether they should be treated with a gentle cycle (Link: Symbol Guide).
To dry your laundry in the machine, avoid overloading the drum of the dryer, do not load water-soaked laundry but wring it out beforehand and respect the indications on the labels if there are any.
To check the state of drying, you can open the drum: the cycle will resume once the door is closed. In general, it is recommended to dry your laundry in two stages: a few minutes in the machine, then in the ambient air. Leaving your laundry in the machine for too long will shrink it and damage the fiber.
What should not be machine dried
Knitwear, nylon tights, garments made with elastane, silk, delicate lingerie or acetate cannot be machine dried. Lay them out to dry naturally.
Drying wool
Wool clothing and blankets can be dried at low (delicate) temperatures for about 5 minutes. Then hang the clothes on a clothesline.
Caution: do not exceed 5 minutes, as wool is fragile.
Drying synthetic fiber
A synthetic fabric can be machine dried in about 20 minutes at low temperature.
Ideally, machine drying should be supplemented by drying without heat.
Caution: do not dry synthetic at high temperatures, as this will damage the fabric irreversibly.
Drying cotton
Cotton dries fairly quickly: you can dry your clothes in one or two 10-minute cycle(s) at medium temperature.
Drying feather pillows and duvets
Feathers, especially feather comforters, require a drying time of about 30 minutes. The drying temperature must be relatively high.
