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
Cotton and wool fibers shrink with heat. Cotton only shrinks once, though. Polyester doesn’t shrink, but it will melt with very high heat.
Wool fibers are like little velcros, so with mechanical action like tumbling, the fibers latch onto themselves and pull together. This is called *felting*. It contributes to shrinkage.
Cotton is a thick fiber. 100% cotton is very durable to mechanical tumbling, and this actually softens cotton into a nice drapey material (like, cotton bedsheets might start out kind of rough but in a few years will be nice and silky). Natural fibers like silk are thinner and delicate, so they can tear apart in the washer and dryer. Polyester fibers are engineered to be fine or thick, so depending on how the fabric feels (silky viscose vs a hoodie) shirts might end up looking shabby, depending on the type.
I tend to tumble dry my pants and jeans, and air dry my shirts. Mostly this is because most of my pants are basic, denim or some other kind of cotton, and I care more about keeping my shirts looking fresh than my pants. I always air dry wool, silk, linen, etc.
I aim for 100% cotton in my wardrobe, it is the most durable, versatile and easy-to-clean material. Other natural fibers like wool and silk are wonderful, but costly to both buy and maintain.
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