Eli5: What is it about tumble dryers that ruins gentle fabrics?

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What is it about tumble dryers that ruins certain fabrics? Is it just the heat or is there something else?
Could a low heat plan be safe for wool, jeans or knitwear?

Background:
I’ve been wary of drying anything but towels, socks and bedsheets in a tumble dryer all my life, out of fear that I’d ruin the fabrics in my clothes.
I’ve recently baught a tumble dryer that has a wool/hand wash plan, that I haven’t had the courage to try it.

In: Other

4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

I hang all of my clothes to dry on a rack and line in my basement (except for socks and underwear; they go straight to the dryer). When they’re about 80% dry, I throw them in a low heat dryer with like items (soft cottons together, jeans together). I don’t usually let the clothes 100% hang dry on the rack and line because I often need the space to hang more loads and/ or I don’t want the clothes to get too “crispy”. It has significantly extended the life of my clothes and reduced dryer usage.

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