Tumble drying is machine drying rather than hanging the fabrics in line outside. This method is called “Tumble Dry” because clothes tumble in the process of drying in the machine drum, where airflow and heat dry clothes quickly.
But you should always note that not all fabrics are made to be tumble dried. This is why we recommend you check the care tag first.
Within the tumble dry method, you have plenty of options you can choose from when it comes to timing, cycles, and heat.
What is the Meaning of Tumble Dry Low
Tumble dry low simply means to dry your item in the dryer on a low heat setting. The low heat setting we’re talking about here is usually around 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is designed for delicate or tender fabrics like knitwear or sheer garments and some variants of workout clothes made of high-performance material like spandex and lycra.
Considering this, what setting is the low heat on a dryer?
Explanation of dryer temperatures
| Cycle | Temperature |
| Low heat (delicate/gentle) | 125°F |
| Medium Heat (Permanent Press) | 135°F |
| High (Normal / Cotton) | 145°F |
Subsequently, the question is: is it better to dry clothes on low heat? If you have clothes that tend to trap odors, drying with low or medium heat is recommended so you don’t “bake” these odors and trap them in your clothes.
Items made from cotton, silk, or linen should only be tumbled dry if you dry them in the dryer. Air drying is preferable.
Drying Machine Instructions You Must Follow
More delicate parts usually have the following instructions: “Machine Wash, Gentle or Delicate “and” Dryer, Low Heat.” This means setting your machine to the lowest setting for Gentle care at a maximum of 86 degrees Fahrenheit (compared to a piece of fabric like cotton that can withstand 200 degrees).
Use the dryer in a high-temperature setting. This is also the best option for those occasions when the weather is not on your side, and you suddenly end up with a muddy sports kit that needs cleaning up for that morning’s football match.
Set the clothes dryer to “Delicate.” This setting uses moderate heat to dry fragile items slowly so they don’t fade and/or fray. Drying clothes in the “Delicate” cycle consumes more energy, but it is the only way to preserve certain items.
Delicates: This setting uses low heat, so the drying time is longer. This is the best setting to use on delicate fabrics.
Permanent Press: This setting uses medium heat during drying and is best suited for colored fabrics.
The Air Fluff setting on your drying machine tumbles fabrics or household items without heat. This offers a safe way to refresh things that may not require washing, such as curtains, pillows, or jeans that just need to be softened.
How To Avoid Fabric Shrinkage
One of the reasons clothes shrink is due to stress on the fabric and seams. That’s why selecting a gentle or gentle cycle setting on your washer and dryer is important. The longer the spin cycle, the more agitation your laundry will be exposed to.
Scientists have invented a dryer that can dry clothes in half the time without heating.
The ultrasonic dryer: Waiting an hour for your clothes to dry can be tedious. But scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee have developed a dryer that can make washing clothes much faster.
Tips to prevent your clothes from shrinking: Dry your clothes at the lowest possible temperature. Consider investing in a sweater drying rack (which uses room temperature air) to dry your wool and cotton clothes. Read and follow the care instructions on your clothing labels. Avoid drying your clothes multiple times.
The Delicate Clothes For Drying Machine
Delicates: A short, cool wash with slow spin and spin. Use it for sweaters, lingerie, and other items that require a light touch.
Hand Wash: Designed to mimic the way clothes are washed in the sink, with periods of gentle tumble and cold water immersion, this is intended for garments labeled “hand wash”.
Wool sweaters, silk garments, and bras often display the do not tumble dry symbol as they may be damaged in the machine or the material may become weak. Silk can shrink at high temperatures while building up wool all over its surface, affecting the fabric’s appearance.
Drying tip: Refresh dry clothes by drying them on a low-temperature cycle for five minutes.
The Different Settings And Temperature Levels on Your Dryer
- Low – set the dryer on low heat.
- Durable Press or Permanent Press – Set the dryer to the permanent press setting.
- No Heat – Set the dryer to operate without heat.
- Remove Immediately – When items are dry, remove immediately to prevent wrinkling.
- Drip dry – hang dripping wet with or without shaping and smoothing by hand.
Meaning of “Not to be dried”: This is a phrase commonly used in reference to washing clothes, but more specifically to drying. “Not to be dried” simply means not drying in the dryer but hanging it out to air dry. Most of the time, this is because frequent drying through heat will cause colors to fade prematurely.
you should also note that the “permanent pressure” setting will reduce the chances of shrinkage because the heat level is medium and gentle on your clothes. The delicate environment uses a very small amount of hot air to help dry your clothes, and the air fluff makes the clothes spin without any use of heat.
Wash symbols indicate what the dryer temperature should be
The drawings that are on clothing labels are very important to learn how to use the clothes dryer correctly. Although they are known as wash symbols, they tell you if the garment can be wrung out, if you should put it in the dryer or on the clothesline, and what the temperature of the machine should be according to the types of fabrics.
So, when looking at the labels, keep an eye out for the square symbols! Here, we separate the ones that stand out the most:
Square with a circle inside and only one point
The square with a circle inside and only a dot indicates that the garment can go in the dryer but must dry on the low-temperature cycle (generally 86°F to 113°F).
It usually appears on delicate clothes (such as silk, linen, wool, and knit blouses) or on synthetic fabrics (such as polyamide, polyester, and elastane pieces) and is best suited to preserve the elasticity of clothes.
Square with two or three dots
When the symbol is a square with two dots, the dryer temperature must be medium (between 113°F and 140°F). When a square with three points appears in cotton clothes, jeans, bath towels, and other denser knits, the ideal drying temperature is above 140°F, indicating the high-temperature cycle.
Square with a circle and an X
If you see an X inside the square, don’t put the clothes in the dryer! This indication appears when the garment is unsuitable for the machine and only needs to be dried on the clothesline.
Note: The Square with a simple circle (without any signs) indicates that the garment can go in the dryer but does not determine an ideal temperature.
Tip: The low-temperature cycle can also help to get the closet smell out of clothes! To do this, simply leave it in the dryer for at least 10 minutes and then use a specific product to make ironing easier, such as an ironing machine.
To Use The Clothes Dryer Correctly, Follow The Basic Tips
In addition to paying attention to washing symbols, there are some super important precautions that can help you use the clothes dryer the right way. Below, we have separated a list with some essential basic tips for the machine’s proper functioning. Take a look:
1. During washing, remember to spin your clothes (very wet items can end up making drying difficult)
2. Before putting the clothes in the dryer, separate them by color and fabric
3. Remember to check your pockets! Take out coins, papers, nails, blades, or any other object that you think can damage your clothes or the machine as a whole.
4. Do not exceed the drying time of the clothes
5. Read the device manual! This step is essential to understand your dryer’s capacity limit and how often the air filter should be cleaned.