A clothes dryer can save a lot of time, especially when laundry starts piling up and there are several loads to get through. It’s easy to toss everything from the washer straight into the machine and move on to the next chore.
The trouble is that high heat and constant tumbling can be rough on certain fabrics and materials. Some clothes may shrink, elastic can lose its stretch, and decorative details can come loose or get damaged. These 10 items are better kept out of the dryer unless their care labels or manufacturers say otherwise.
1. Silk Clothing
Silk blouses, scarves, lingerie, and other delicate pieces can lose their shape or develop damage from dryer heat and friction. Check the care label before washing, and if the garment is washable, let it air-dry away from direct sunlight.
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2. Clothing With Lace, Sequins, or Embellishments
Lace, beads, sequins, hooks, and decorative trims can snag, loosen, or become damaged as clothes tumble around. Hand-washing or using a gentle cycle when permitted, followed by air-drying, can help keep these details intact.
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3. Wool Sweaters
Wool sweaters can shrink or become felted when exposed to heat and agitation, leaving them much smaller than they were before washing. Unless the care label allows tumble drying, gently reshape the damp sweater and lay it flat on a clean towel to dry.
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4. Bras
Bras often contain elastic, padding, molded cups, and underwires that can suffer from repeated dryer heat. Hanging them to dry or laying them flat helps preserve their shape and stretch for longer.
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5. Swimsuits
Swimsuits rely on stretchy materials such as spandex and elastane to keep their fit, and high dryer temperatures can weaken those fibers. Rinse swimwear after use, gently press out excess water with a towel, and leave it to air-dry.
6. Sneakers and Shoes
Many sneakers contain foam, rubber, and adhesives that can warp, shrink, or come apart in the heat of a dryer. Unless the manufacturer approves machine drying, remove the insoles and laces if possible and let the shoes dry naturally.
7. Rayon and Viscose Clothing
Rayon and viscose garments can be delicate when wet, and heat or rough tumbling may cause them to shrink or lose their shape. Check the care label and, if air-drying is recommended, gently reshape the garment while it’s damp before laying or hanging it to dry as directed.
8. Curtains and Drapes
Washable curtains aren’t automatically safe to put in the dryer, since heat can shrink the fabric or damage certain linings. Read the care instructions before washing and drying them, especially if they have long panels or special finishes.
9. Vintage and Antique Textiles
Old quilts, embroidered linens, handmade pieces, and vintage fabrics may have weakened fibers or delicate stitching from years of use. High heat and tumbling can cause further damage, so valuable or sentimental pieces are better handled with gentle cleaning and air-drying methods suited to their condition.
10. Clothing With Glued or Metallic Details
Studs, glued-on stones, metallic accents, and other decorative pieces can loosen or become damaged in the dryer. Air-drying puts less stress on these details and helps keep the garment looking the way it should.
