Can You Tumble Dry A Blazer? (is it ok or will it shrink it)

In this article we’ll cover all types of blazers, so keep reading for all you need to know about drying your blazers.

Firstly, you should always check the care label in your blazer. If it says dry clean only, then you should only dry clean it if you want to keep it looking at its best and lasting for any length of time.

Blazers are smart/casual jackets that can be worn in many situations – At work, as evening wear or as part of a uniform. 

With many mens and womens blazers being made from wool, which should be dry cleaned only, it is vital that you check the label before attempting to wash and dry your blazer.

Can You Tumble Dry A School Blazer?

School blazers are a part of many school’s uniforms and will often come home looking the worse for wear. In many cases the school blazer can be washed in a washing machine.

However it is not usually a good idea to tumble dry school blazers even if they are machine washable.

It is better to hang the wet blazer on a hanger as this will allow it to dry naturally and stay in shape. In most cases a school blazer will dry overnight if allowed to dry naturally in the air.

As with all blazers, you should check the care label for full wash care instructions before attempting to wash or dry your child’s school blazer.

Many school blazers are made from polyester which can be washed in a washing machine, but should not be tumble dried due to the nature of the fabric.

However, some school blazers are made from wool which will need special care when cleaning. In many cases these types of blazers will need to be dry cleaned only.

What The Tumble Dryer Symbols Mean On Blazers

There are several symbols that relate to tumble dryers which can be found on care labels. Only some of these will ever be found on blazers, but we include them all for your information.

• Square With White Circle And A Black X On Top – This symbol is used to indicate that the garment should not be tumble dried. This is the most likely symbol to be found on a blazer.
• Square With White Circle – This symbol indicates that the item can be tumble dried. This symbol is not usually found on blazers.
• Square With Black Circle – This symbol indicates that the item can be tumble dried using the no heat setting.
• Square With White Circle, One Black Dot In Circle – This symbol indicates that the item can be dried on a low heat setting in a tumble dryer.
• Square With White Circle, Two Black Dots In Circle – This symbol indicates that the item can be dried in a tumble dryer on a medium heat setting.
• Square With White Circle, Three Black Dots In Circle – This symbol indicates that the garment can be dried using a high heat setting and it is unlikely you’ll ever find this symbol on your blazer.

How To Dry A Blazer Without A Tumble Dryer

It is recommended that you dry your blazers without using a tumble dryer. 

Below we have listed the best ways to dry your blazers without using a tumble dryer. You can;

Air Dry Your Blazer On A Washing Line

If the weather permits, you can place your blazer on a hanger and suspend the hanger from a washing line, rotary line or a retractable clothesline to dry in the breeze.

Air Dry Your Blazer On An Airer

If the weather outside is too bad, you can dry your blazer by hanging it on a coat hanger and suspending the coat hanger from an airer.

It is possible to speed up the drying time by placing the airer in front of a radiator.

Using An Electric Fan To Decrease Drying Times Indoors

Many blazers will dry overnight indoors, but you can decrease the drying time by placing an electric fan in the same room.

The fan simulates a gentle breeze and this will help to dry your blazer faster especially if you have an open window in the room to allow the air to flow.

Using A Dehumidifier To Reduce Indoor Drying Times

Placing a dehumidifier in the same room as the drying blazer can reduce drying times significantly.

This is because the dehumidifier will remove excess moisture from the room. Which allows the blazer to release more moisture into the room. This will seriously cut the drying time of your blazer.

SEE ALSO: Some Good Dehumidifiers To Help Drying Blazers

What Happens If You Tumble Dry A Blazer?

If you decide to go against the care instructions for your blazer you run the risk of;

Shrinking The Blazer

If your blazer has been made from polyester, it is likely to shrink in a tumble dryer. This man-made synthetic fabric should never be exposed to high temperatures. 

The material can shrink by a large amount and make the blazer too tight to wear.

Ruin The Blazer

If your blazer is made from wool it is likely to have been put together using glue. Either on the pockets or on some of the other joints glue is used to hold them together. 

This glue can melt if the blazer is subjected to high temperatures.

Tear The Blazer

If the blazer’s material was to start to shrink in the dryer, the fabric could rip or tear at the seams.

The Blazer Could Lose Its Shape

Subjecting a blazer to high temperatures could cause it to lose its shape. 

It could damage the fit, the stitching or the shoulder pads could become misshapen or distorted.

Frequently Asked Questions