Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

Stop Overdrying Your Clothes! The Damage You Can’t See (Until It’s Too Late)

We all lead busy lives and there never seems to be enough hours in the day. So, if you’ve ever chucked a load of washing in the tumble dryer and got distracted by something, and totally forgotten about it. Then pulled out your favourite jumper, only to find it’s shrunk to toddler size, or worse, the fabric’s so weak it’s gone see through, this article is defo for you.

Overdrying your clothes isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s full on sabotage for your wardrobe. Let’s talk about what happens when you overdry and, most importantly, how to stop doing it!

Table of Contents

What Does Over Drying Actually Do?

A person putting clothes into a washing machine

It’s more than just making your clothes crispy (yeah, that’s a thing). Leaving your clothes in the dryer too long or cranking up the heat can seriously wreck them. Here’s the damage you’re doing without even realising:

Weakening The Fabric

Every tumble in that heat box is like your clothes going through Fight Club. The longer and hotter it goes, the more the fabric weakens. Next thing you know, your jeans have worn holes, and that fancy blouse you splurged on looks like moth food.

Shrinkage

Ever tried squeezing into a jumper that suddenly feels like it’s gone on a diet? Yep, that’s overdrying. Heat makes fibres contract, and bam, your top’s a crop, your sleeves are mismatched, and your dignity’s in the bin.

In some cases, this might be a good thing especially if you bought that tee shirt two sizes too big and want it to fit better. But for the most part, you don’t want your clothes changing size or shape, you just want them dry.

Faded Colours

No, your dryer isn’t turning into a dodgy 90s tie-dye machine. The damage to the fabric makes colours look duller, even if the dye’s technically fine. So much for that vibrant new hoodie.

Elastic Damage

Say goodbye to stretchy waistbands that actually bounce back. Heat kills elastic faster than you can say “leggings,” leaving you with saggy, sad-looking clothes.

Why Does This Happen?

Wet clothes can only get as hot as boiling water (100°C). But once they’re dry and all the water has gone? All bets are off, they can get scorched to smithereens.

Even though most dryers max out around 66°C, stuff like blocked lint filters, a dodgy heater or a faulty thermostat can make things go haywire.

Which Fabrics Suffer the Most?

Some materials are like, “I can take the heat”, while others… not so much. Let’s run through the fabrics and the effects of over drying them;

Silk & Lace
Fragile queens of the wardrobe. Don’t even think about tumble drying them unless you like the scrunched up look. The same is true for many linen items too.
Wool
Natural and cosy, wool has a high water content which is why it can regulate temperatures so well. But over drying sucks the life (and the moisture) right out of it. Result? Shrinkage central. In some cases it’s possible to soak shrunken woolen items in warm water with fabric conditioner to replace the moisture but it doesn’t always work.
Cotton & Denim
These hardwearing heroes aren’t invincible. Overdrying and exposure to high heat for too long can make them brittle, shrinky, and just sad.
Polyester
Tougher than most, but leave it in too long, and it might shrink, or worse, start melting.

How to Stop Over Drying (and Save Your Clothes)

Ready to stop the madness? Here’s how to keep your clothes looking good as new:

Air Dry

The best way to stop over drying your clothes is to not use the tumble dryer at all. You’re far better off drying them in the fresh air, but be warned, direct sunlight can cause some damage.

Having said that this is far less likely because there’s often a breeze or higher humidity levels than can be found in tumble dryers. Granted, not everyone has access to an outside washing line and the good old British weather doesn’t always play ball either.

But air drying saves on excessive heat and there’s no mechanical damage, which can be a problem in dryers.

Keep It Damp

Check your clothes regularly while they’re in the dryer and take them out when they’re still slightly damp. Not only does this stop damage, but it makes ironing easier too.

Don’t Trust the Dryer

Even the fancy ones with sensors can miss the mark. Keep an eye on your load and check regularly. It’s boring but worth it.

Empty That Lint Filter

No airflow = overheating. Empty the fluff tray every time, unless you want your dryer to turn into a fire hazard. That’s a whole other over drying issue that needs to be avoided!

Use the Right Settings

Choose “iron dry” or “low heat” if your dryer has those options. Don’t just crank it up and hope for the best. Iron dry leaves clothes slightly damp making it easier to iron them.

Check Your Fabrics

Read the care labels, yeah, the ones you’ve been ignoring since forever. Some stuff’s just not dryer friendly.

Don’t Have A Dryer? No Problem!

If you’re ready to give the tumble dryer a break (or it’s gone on strike), here are some non dryer hacks for drying your clothes:

Use A Clothes Airer
Stick your clothes on a drying rack near a radiator or sunny window. Space them out, so they don’t just get damp and smelly.
Use An Electric Fan
Pop an electric fan next to your clothes rack to blow the wet air away. Bonus points if you open the window too.
Use A Dehumidifier
These bad boys suck the moisture right out of the air. Your clothes dry faster, and your house feels fresher.
Use A Heated Airer
Like regular airers but with built in heat. They’re quicker, cheaper than tumble dryers, and you don’t risk accidentally shrinking your stuff.

What’s Your Drying Disaster Story?

So, there you have it, everything you need to know about over drying and how to avoid it. Have you ever destroyed your favourite outfit in the dryer? Or got a top back so small it could fit your cat? We want to hear your laundry horror stories!

Drop them in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this with your mates who think over drying is a myth.

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