5 Things You Shouldn’t Ever Put In the Dryer

I’m probably not the only one who doesn’t check the label on every item of clothing before shoving it in the tumble dryer.

Yes, yes, I know there are plenty of you domestic goddesses out there who do everything perfectly and that includes the laundry. Why are you even reading this anyway? You know that it doesn’t apply to you because you are perfect in every way and never make any mistakes.

For the rest of you, if you’re ever wondering why some of your stuff is ruined after you launder it, this is because it is not meant to be tumble dried and if you followed the care instructions it would have been right as rain.

Here are things you should never, ever put in the dryer… even if you need it dried quickly!

1. Bathers, Swimmers, Togs – What you Wear in the Pool

The spandex in your bathers is made to withstand heat on the beach on a really hot summer’s day… and that’s about it. The heat from the dryer will leave the spandex brittle and broken and will ruin your togs.

2. Bras

There’s a reason we call delicates delicate. They are too delicate to be thrown into the dryer, for example. The heat from the dryer can damage your bra’s elasticity and shape and cause stretching. You’re also likely to have it twisted up and lose an underwire or cause the hooks to buckle.

3. Tights and Pantyhose

More delicate material here and the mesh your tights and pantyhose are made out of can shrink with the heat. There’s also the risk that the tumbling round and round and round will cause them to get tangled up into ridiculously hard to undo knots.

4. Rubber backed bath mats

Bath mats that have a rubber back to provide grip in the bathroom can become damaged by the heat in the dryer and fall apart or melt… and even have the potential to start a house fire!

5. Embellished garments

If you have sequins or stones embellishing an item of clothing, don’t put it in the dryer. It will get ruined and might take everything else out with it as it snags other garments in the process.

6. Running shoes

The heat from the dryer can cause the rubber on the soles of your sneakers to shrink. It can also ruin cushioning support and weaken the adhesives that keep the shoes together.

Now you know!