Bras, beachwear, sneakers, backpacks, leather items and more; know what not to put in the dryer to avoid irreversible damage to your garments and machine
10 things never to put in the dryer:
- Bras
- Beachwear
- Workout clothes
- Silk garments
- Leather items
- Backpacks
- Sneakers
- Carpets and curtains
- Hats
- Wool clothing
1. Bras
Bras should not be put in the dryer as they are made of synthetic elastane fibers to ensure flexibility, and intense heat can damage these fibers, compromising elasticity over time. For delicate garments with elastic material, such as bras, the ideal is to dry naturally on a clothesline.
2. Beachwear
Following the same logic as bras, the material of bikinis and swimsuits is more elastic, and due to the heat of the dryer, it can be damaged and lose its flexibility. The ideal is to take advantage of the hot summer days and let beachwear dry naturally. In this way, you can prolong the wearability of the garments, preventing them from shrinking or becoming too uncomfortable.
3. Workout clothes
Clothes used for working out are usually made with high-tech synthetic fibers, which guarantee better performance, adaptation to the body and moisture absorption. These materials are more elastic, but the heat from the dryer can damage the fabric and reduce its flexibility. It is therefore recommended to wash the garments correctly according to the cycle indicated in the manual and let them dry naturally.
Elastic clothing such as workout clothes and beachwear should be avoided in the dryer – Photo: Reproduction/Freepik
4. Silk garments
Garments made of delicate materials, such as silk, should also not be put in the dryer, as the intense heat can cause shrinkage or irreversible wrinkles. It is best to let these items dry naturally, laid out so that they retain their original shape and away from heat and direct sunlight.
5. Leather items
Leather items, whether natural or synthetic, should not be put in the dryer or exposed directly to the sun to dry. In this case, it is best to let them dry outdoors, away from heat sources. Real leather is sensitive to high temperatures, which can cause irreversible cracks, while synthetic leather, although a little more resistant, can melt or shrink when heated.
Bras, leather clothes and silk can shrink and damage in the dryer – Photo: Reproduction/Samsung
6. Backpacks
Backpacks are often made of different fabrics, as well as containing zippers and other plastic or metal details. All these items can be damaged by the intense heat of dryers, so they should be washed normally and dried naturally. The high temperatures of dryers can compromise the fabrics of backpacks, causing the external materials to melt, deform or shrink, altering the internal capacity of the product.
7. Sneakers
Although they may seem practical, sneakers should not be put in the dryer. The high temperature of the machine can damage the shoes, shrink the fabric, deform its structure or compromise the glue that keeps the sneakers together and comfortable. To speed up drying, you can place them in front of a fan or in a well-ventilated area, but always prefer natural drying.
8. Carpets and curtains
Rugs and curtains, especially those in bathrooms and kitchens with rubber parts, should not be put in the dryer at all. They can be washed in hot water to disinfect them, but they should be dried naturally to preserve their functionality. In the dryer, these items can be seriously damaged; the rubber backing can melt, causing them to lose their grip and become deformed.
9. Hats
Another item that should be avoided in dryers is caps. Regardless of the material, the high temperatures of the machine can deform or shrink these items, causing them to lose their functionality altogether. You can wash caps in the washing machine on delicate cycles, but always choose to let them dry on the clothesline.
10. Wool clothes
Wool clothes are delicate and require special care both when washing and drying. Wool is a natural fiber with interlocking scales, and excessive heat can cause shrinkage. It’s important to check the label on the garment to see if it can be exposed to heat, but in general it’s best to avoid intense heat to prevent damage to the clothes.
