Eight Items that Benefit from Air Drying:
Learning to Use Your Dryer Wisely
Your dryer might be a household savior, making laundry a breeze, but it can also be quite brutal on certain items. Instead of ruining your clothes, here's a guide to the eight things you should always hang dry.
- Dr. Pete He, a renowned scientist, and Alicia Sokolowski, CEO of AspenClean share their insights.
1. Anything Labeled "Hang Dry"
Sure, this one might seem obvious, but most people tend to ignore the care tag! You'll find it inside most garments, offering washing and drying instructions. If it says "hang dry," don't argue - heed the advice. It not only extends your clothes' lifespan, but it saves energy by reducing your dryer's consumption. Just ensure proper ventilation in humid environments to prevent mold growth.
2. Activewear
Activewear may not be cheap, and it needs to be functional, absorbing sweat and supporting your body. So avoid the dryer's high heat, which can reduce elasticity and impair the moisture-wicking capacity.
3. Swimwear
Swimsuits might already be weakened by chlorine or saltwater, and dryer heat only speeds up their deterioration. Luckily, they dry quickly without a dryer.
4. Lingerie and Bras
Good bras are an investment, so if you want them to last and support your body properly, hand wash and line-dry them. Lingerie's elastic and lace deteriorate quickly under high heat, so hanging or laying flat helps preserve their elasticity.
5. Delicate Fabrics
Delicate fabrics like silk, lace, wool, and cashmere can shrink, warp, or weaken when heated. Hang them to dry to avoid such issues, and consider laying wool flat if the care label suggests it.
6. Sweaters and Knits
High heat can shrink or distort knits, so they should be air-dried carefully.
7. Denim
While durable, denim can still fade and lose shape when subjected to dryer heat. Air-drying ensures fit and color are preserved.
8. Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
These should be machine-washed and air-dried, as high heat can melt or damage the microfiber, reducing its effectiveness.
In conclusion, employing the right laundry techniques helps preserve your wardrobe and saves you money in the long run. By hang-drying eight specific items, you can ensure their longevity and quality.
- According to Dr. Pete He and Alicia Sokolowski, one should heed the advice of the care tag on garments, especially when items are labeled as "Hang Dry," to extend their lifespan and save energy.
- Hand washing and line-drying lingerie and bras, in particular, is important as their elastic and lace deteriorate quickly under high heat.
- Microfiber cleaning cloths should be machine-washed and air-dried, as high heat can melt or damage the microfiber, reducing its effectiveness.
- To fully implement realsimple laundry tips, one should avoid the dryer's high heat for activewear, swimwear, delicate fabrics like silk, lace, wool, cashmere, sweaters, and knits, as well as denim to preserve their quality and longevity.
