6 Wardrobe items you should never put in your tumble dryer

Silk & Swimwear: 6 Wardrobe items you should never put in your tumble dryer

Angela Goh

29 Sep 2016

updated the 14 November 2016 à 11:27

We’re dead serious – put these in your dryer and you might just regret your decision. A lot.

1/6
Tights and stockings
You should really be hand-washing your delicate tights and stockings in the first place, and then leaving them out to dry naturally. They’re prone to shrinking and becoming deformed in the dryer, and could also easily form ladders. Not a good look when you decide to put them on after.
2/6
Swimwear (yes, bikinis too)
They’re designed to hold their shape when submerged in pool water and seawater, but they can be very easily damaged from heat and harsh tumble drying. It’s better to leave them on a washing line to dry instead.
3/6
Anything with sequins
We’re sure you’re aware of this rule, but if not, we’d like to send the message across: sequins in the dryer? Not a good idea. The glitzy little things are prone to being ripped off garments or becoming loose and unsightly. Don’t want to ruin your fancy sequined party dress? Hang it up to dry.
4/6
Bras, and anything with clasps
Undergarments in general should be banned from the dryer. They are usually much too fragile to be placed under such heat and turbulence. Lace bras, bras with padding, bras with metal clasps and underwires… they risk becoming irreparably damaged and looking very ragged if you chuck them in the dryer.
5/6
Silk
Got a lovely silk scarf or tie that needs drying? Leave it flat to dry naturally - never put silk items in your dryer! This could cause the fabric to weaken and become damaged easily. And you wouldn’t want to do that to such luxurious material, would you?
6/6
Your sneakers
Yes, some people throw their sneakers into the washing machine and they come out fine, but try this with your super-heated dryer and you might just end up with rubber peeling off the sides and a deformed pair of once-perfect shoes. Don’t risk it.

Your tumble dryer may be a lifesaver on many occasions. It definitely saves you plenty of time, and it allows you to keep your house tidy and devoid of unsightly washing lines and racks with clothes hanging off them. However, the convenience of instantly dry clothes might not be so worth it if you accidentally throw the wrong things in and leave the cycle on for over and hour. Dryers are notorious for shrinking and damaging precious wardrobe items.

Want to know what you shouldn’t be blindly chucking into your tumble dryer? Check out our guide in the gallery above. Hopefully you won’t end up with misshapen underwear and laddered stockings ever again!

Angela Goh

Photos: Getty Images

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