10 Things you should never put in the dryer

If you own one of the best clothes dryers, you will know the versatility and convenience that these machines provide. A full load of wet laundry straight from the washer can be dried and ready to wear in a single cycle — no fuss or effort required. The “tumbling” drying method has its benefits too; towels are left feeling soft and fluffy beyond compare, while ironing becomes a chore of the past. 

However, while you may heavily rely on your clothes dryer, there are certain items you should never dry in there. If you do, you could potentially damage these items or even the dryer itself, leading to costly repairs. Here are 10 things you should never put in the dryer. 

10 Things you should never put in the dryer 

1. Swimsuits — You should wash your swimwear after every use to remove all traces of chlorine and sunscreen. But, don’t be tempted to throw it in the dryer once clean. Swimwear is a big no-no for the dryer because the heat will damage the spandex, leaving it looking limp and saggy rather than fitted. It’s best to air-dry these items.  

2. Bras — For the same reason, bras shouldn’t go in the dryer either. These too contain elastic which can be damaged by the heat of the cycle. Ultimately, the fit and shape would be ruined as a result. See our guide on how to wash bras for more info. To dry your bras the right way, air-dry them flat with the cups facing upwards.  

3. Pantyhose — Pantyhose, aka tights, are one of the most delicate items of clothing you can find. Even putting them on with too much vigor can result in a tear. So, it makes sense that a clothes dryer is too aggressive for the material. As well as leading to runs, pantyhose will shrink in the heat of a dryer, plus they can tangle up with everything, causing a lot of frustration. Air-dry them instead — they’re so thin it will take minutes. 

4. Wool — Wool is probably the most well-known mistake out there. We’ve all witnessed at least one mishap where a beautiful cashmere jumper has emerged from a dryer looking as if it would fit a teddy bear. Wool shrinks in the high heat of a dryer and it’s very difficult to get it to return to its initial shape once it does. For this reason, don’t put anything made of wool in the dryer, air-dry it flat instead.  

5. Rubber-backed bath mats — While some bath mats will be able to go in the clothes dryer, anything with a rubber-back shouldn’t. That’s because the high heat can melt and crumble the rubber and potentially lead to a fire. The same goes for any rubber-backed rugs as well. Always air-dry to keep the rubber-backing intact.     

6. Anything with sequins or beads — If you’ve got an embellished item, it’s naturally going to be tricky to launder. The high heat of a clothes dryer can melt any glue holding the embellishments in place, while the tumbling action can easily snag and damage the detail on this item as well as others. Keep sequins and beads out of the dryer to be safe and hang dry instead.  

7. Leather or faux leather — We shouldn’t really have to say it, but leather, whether real or faux, doesn’t belong in a tumble dryer. The heat will dry out and crack natural leather, while faux leather will shrink and warp. Hang dry these items instead, out of direct sunlight.