Can You Tumble Dry Microfiber Towels? (read this first)

99% of the experts agree that while you can tumble dry microfiber towels in a tumble dryer on a no heat or low heat setting, it is not recommended to do so often.

If you do have to tumble dry your microfiber towel you should always;

1. Remove any lint from the lint trap before operating the dryer. This is to prevent the microfiber towel from collecting lint that’s already in the lint trap.
2. Use a no heat or low heat setting. Microfiber towels can melt if subjected to high heat.
3. Dry microfiber towels on their own, if they are mixed with other clothes they’re likely to attract fibres from those clothes.
4. Avoid using dryer sheets, even the best dryer sheets could clog up the fibres on the microfiber towel. Which would make it less likely to do what is expected of it.
5. Remove from the dryer as soon as the selected drying cycle is completed.

It’s safe to say that microfiber towels are not the most expensive cleaning items on the market, but that doesn’t mean they should be treated with no respect when it comes to washing and more importantly, drying.

The absolute best way to dry your microfiber towels is on a washing line. Or at least indoors on an airer, or anywhere, but the tumble dryer.

Tumble drying on a low heat once in a blue moon should be OK but drying your microfiber towel in a tumble dryer often will result in it no longer attracting anywhere near as much dust as it used to.

What The Tumble Dryer Symbols Mean On Microfiber Towels

You are probably only ever going to find one or two of the following symbols on your microfiber towels but we have listed all of the symbols relating to tumble dryers for your information.

• Square With White Circle And A Black X On Top –  This is the symbol that is used to  indicate do not tumble dry. This is most likely the symbol you’ll find on microfiber towels.
• Square With White Circle –  This symbol indicates that you can tumble dry. You might find this symbol on your microfiber towel.
• Square With Black Circle – This symbol is used to indicate that you can dry on a no heat setting. You might find this on your microfiber towel.
• Square With White Circle, One Black Dot In Circle – This symbol indicates that the item can be dried using a low heat setting. It is also possible that this symbol could be on your microfiber towel’s care label.
• Square With White Circle, Two Black Dots In Circle – This symbol is used to indicate that the item can be tumble dried using a medium heat setting. It is unlikely that you’ll find this symbol on a microfiber towel.
• Square With White Circle, Three Black Dots In Circle – This is the symbol that is used to indicate that the item can be tumble dried on a high heat setting. It is highly unlikely that you’ll find this symbol on a microfiber towel.

How To Dry Microfiber Towels Without A Tumble Dryer

It is not recommended that you tumble dry your microfiber towels. This means you’ll need to find an alternative way to dry them. There are several ways to dry microfiber towels without tumble drying, these include;

Air Drying Microfiber Towels On A Washing Line

Hanging microfiber towels on a washing line is the best way of drying them. Microfiber towels can be hung in full sun and will dry fairly fast on a warm, sunny day.

They can be hung from a washing line, rotary line or retractable clothesline. Retractable clotheslines are a great way to save space as they can be extended when in use and retracted when no longer needed. This allows that same space to be used for different things and only ties it up on washday.

SEE ALSO: Retractable Clotheslines You Can Hang Microfiber Towels On

Air Drying Microfiber Towels On An Airer

If you don’t have a washing line, or the weather is too bad for outdoor drying, setting up an airer indoors is another great way to dry your microfiber towels.

Drape the microfiber towels from the airer or lay them flat on the rack and allow them to dry naturally.

Cutting Down Indoor Drying Times Using A Electric Fan

If you place an electric fan pointing directly at the airer which has the microfiber towel on, you will simulate a gentle breeze.

This can decrease drying times especially if you have a window open as well to allow the moisture to escape.

Speeding Up The Drying Process Using A Dehumidifier

By placing a dehumidifier in the same room as the drying microfiber towel, you can seriously reduce the drying time.

The dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air which then allows the microfiber towel to release more moisture at a faster rate.

SEE ALSO: Top Dehumidifiers For Drying Small Towels

Why You Should Always Read The Wash Care Label On Microfiber Towels

The care label on your microfiber towel will give you all of the washing and drying instructions needed to keep your microfiber towel in as near as new condition as possible.

If you choose to ignore the advice from the care label and decide to dry your microfiber towel in the tumble dryer, you can expect;

The Fibres To Melt

As microfiber towels are made from man-made fabrics, usually a blend of polyester and polyamide (nylon) exposure to heat can cause the fibres to melt. 

This can mean the actual microfiber towel can shrivel up or more likely, the towel will no longer pick up any dirt and dust.

Become Clogged With Lint

As microfiber towels are designed to attract dirt, dust and tiny particles, your microfiber towel is likely to attract any lint that is already in your tumble dryer.

If you do not regularly empty the lint trap, you will find a large build up of lint in the trap. The microfiber towel will almost certainly remove much of this lint. Defeating the object of washing it in the first place.

Become Less Effective At Cleaning

As the fibres in the microfiber towel shrink they are less able to attract dirt, dust and other materials. Making them less effective at cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions