Tumble Drying 101: Everything You Need to Know

Tumble drying is simply using a tumble dryer machine (or just a dryer if you’re in New Zealand, like me) to dry your clothes or linens. It’s essential to do it right to avoid damaging your clothes. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in this guide with everything you need to know about tumble drying 101 so you can get the best results possible!

What is Tumble Drying?

Tumble drying is the process of drying clothing in a machine that uses hot air to remove moisture. The machine is called a ‘tumble dryer’, or just a ‘dryer’ and there are different types available, including the vented condenser, and heat pump dryers.

Vented dryers expel hot, damp air through a hose or vent, while condenser dryers collect moisture in a container that needs to be emptied. Heat pump dryers work by recycling hot air, making them more energy efficient.

Tumble drying can save you lots of time if you are a busy homemaker by getting the washing dried quicker than it would line drying in the colder months.

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The Benefits of Tumble Drying

Tumble drying has several benefits, including:

• Quick drying times compared to line drying
• Helps reduce wrinkles in the fabric
• Convenient to use in colder months
• Reduces handling time compared to hanging items on the clothing line

Some of the downsides to tumble drying can be the shrinkage of certain fabrics, which is why it’s important to read the care labels first. Check out my in-depth guides to types of fabrics or sustainable fabrics to learn about the different types of materials.

Tumble drying can also reduce the longevity of a garment or linens as the heat damages the fabric fibres over time. Running a dryer can also be expensive, whereas line drying is free.

If you are making your own handmade wardrobe I’m sure you’ll want your garments to last a long time. Always keep a note of what fabric you used for each piece so you know how to launder it correctly.

Tumble Dry Symbols Explained

When tumble drying, it’s essential to read the care label symbols to ensure proper care of your clothes. Here are some typical tumble dry symbols that you may come across:

Tumble Dry Low Heat: Use a low heat setting for delicate fabrics.

Tumble Dry High Heat: Use a high heat setting for cotton and other durable fabrics.

Do Not Tumble Dry: Avoid tumble drying these fabrics, as they may shrink or get damaged.

How to Tumble Dry

When it comes to tumble drying, it’s good to select the appropriate temperature and time settings that match the fabric you’re drying. Most machines will have pre-set options set up that you can choose from. Below are the steps to follow to tumble dry your clothes:

Step One: After your washing has been washed make sure it’s not soaking wet by spinning the water out. Sort your laundry by fabric type and colour. I tend to keep my linens separate from my clothing just to be safe. E.g, towels could leave lint on your clothing which damages them quicker.

Step Two: Check the care label symbols to work out the right temperature and time settings for the load.

Step Three: Pop everything suitable into the dryer and add dryer balls or sheets to help reduce static cling. If you don’t have these no problem!

Step Four: Select the appropriate temperature and time settings on the tumble dryer.

Step Five: Start the tumble dryer and remove clothes or linen promptly when the cycle is complete to reduce wrinkles.

How to Tumble Dry Wool, Delicates, and Other Tricky Fabrics

Wool, delicates, and delicate fabrics require special care when tumble drying. I recommend using a low heat setting for wool and delicate items, many dryers have special settings for these.

Try using a mesh laundry bag to protect delicate fabrics from getting damaged or catching any lint.

How to Get Rid of Static Cling in Tumble Dried Clothes

Static cling can be a nuisance when tumble-drying your clothes, especially chiffon fabrics. There are a few ways you can avoid this happening like using a dryer sheet or wool dryer balls to reduce static cling.

You can also try adding a damp washcloth to the dryer to add moisture and reduce static cling.

Tumble Dryer Maintenance 101: Tips to Keep Your Machine Running Smoothly

To keep your tumble dryer running smoothly, it’s essential to maintain it properly and consistently. I preach this for my sewing machinery, so of course I do for my other appliances too.

Depending on the style of dryer you have you will need to clean it. It’s essential to clean the lint filter after every use to stop it from overfilling and causing health and safety problems. It’s also important to remember to clean the condenser and heat pump filters regularly to ensure proper airflow.

Tumble Drying vs. Air Drying: Which Method is Right?

When it comes to drying your clothes, you may wonder if tumble or air drying is better. In colder months especially where I live it can be impossible to air-dry anything so using a dryer is a must. In the warmer months, everything can be line dried outside super quickly.

If you want to save money or protect your clothing items here is a quick guide to what you can tumble or air dry:

Tumble Dry: Cotton, towels, bedding, and other durable fabrics.

Air Dry: Wool, delicates, and other specialty fabrics.

Tumble Drying Conclusion

Tumble drying is a convenient and efficient way to dry your clothes, but it’s important to remember to choose the right temperature and time settings. With so many different types of fabrics, it can be difficult to know what settings to use. Our guide to tumble drying will help you get the best results possible. We’ve covered everything from the benefits of tumble drying to how to read care labels and maintain your tumble dryer.