Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

You’re Not Getting Fatter – How your dryer is plotting against you…

Imagine the scene. You’re pulling on your favourite jumper, the one that fits like a dream, and suddenly… disaster! It’s tight in places it’s never been before. Before you start to panic and shout “Have I put on weight?” Relax, it might not be you; it could be your tumble dryer playing tricks.

Yes, that innocent looking machine in the corner of your utility room might be secretly sabotaging your wardrobe. Don’t believe us? Keep reading to find out how your dryer could be turning your favourite clothes into baby clothes.

Table of Contents

Why Your Dryer Could Be Damaging Your Wardrobe

Let’s talk science (but not the boring kind). Clothes shrink because of two things: heat and rough handling. Imagine being blasted with high temps and spun around like a sock in a washing machine, it’s bound to take a toll. And your tumble dryer? It’s the king of both.

The heat dries your clothes so fast that the fibres tighten up, like they’re trying to survive a desert. Then there’s the “rough and tumble” action, where your clothes bash about like they’re in a fight club. Add those together, and you’ve got a recipe for mini me outfits.

Some Fabrics Really Can’t Handle It

Not all fabrics are equal in the dryer. Some are divas that just can’t handle the heat. Here’s a quick rundown:

Wool
Wool’s like that mate who can’t handle spicy food. A bit of heat and it’s ruined. Worse, it doesn’t just shrink, it changes structure entirely. Fancy wearing a jumper that feels like sandpaper?
Cotton
Pure cotton loves to shrink. If it’s a blend, it might hold up better, but why take the risk?
Linen
Linen is often used for bedding as it is a natural fabric. But because it’s natural, it’s likely to shrink if exposed to high heat.
Silk & Cashmere
These fabrics are posh, and they act like it. Chucking them in the dryer is like putting a Rolls Royce through a car wash.
Viscose & Rayon
Heat + tumble drying = guaranteed shrinkage. Every single time.
Spandex & Lycra
These stretchy legends might bounce back when you wear them, but repeated shrinking and stretching weakens them faster than your mate’s excuses for skipping the gym.
Lace
Lace is a really delicate fabric that’s made from many different materials. Some, if not all of these fabrics will shrink under the intense heat of a tumble dryer. Plus the rough and tumble action can cause damage and tear the fabric.
Leather & Suede
Leather, suede as well as pleather, faux leather and faux suede will shrink in the dryer. The high heat and rough action can also cause these fabrics to crack and split and get scuffed up too. Don’t risk it!

It’s Not Just Shrinking You Need To Worry About

If you thought shrinking was bad? Wait until you hear about the other problems tumble drying can cause:

Faded Colours

Ever wondered why your black jeans look grey after a few months? Your dryer could be the culprit. High heat messes with fabric dyes, leaving your clothes looking like they’ve been through a nuclear winter.

If you want to know the science that causes this issue, look up sublimation. In a nutshell, sublimation is where a solid changes to a gas without becoming a liquid first.

So there’s no need for hot water, just hot air and some colours will fade faster than an antique rug in sunlight. The high heat of the dryer can cause colour to run between clothes and clothes to fade without the need for extra liquid.

Wear & Tear

All that tumbling action isn’t exactly gentle. Over time, coupled with high heat, it weakens fabrics, causing small tears that grow into massive holes. You know those mysterious holes in your socks? Yeah, blame the dryer, not the dog.

Once you put those clothes on again, the holes get bigger and you’ll either need to repair or replace them.

Ways To Outsmart Your Dryer

Don’t let the dryer win. Here’s how to keep your clothes looking fresh and fitting properly:

Always Check the Care Label

Those little symbols on your clothes aren’t just there for decoration. They tell you exactly how to wash and dry each item. If it says “no tumble drying”, or it tells you which heat setting to use, trust it.

Don’t Over Dry

The less time your clothes are tumbling in the heat box, the least amount of damage can be done.

It’s always a good idea to remove clothes shortly before they fully dry as over drying can cause more damage and shrinkage.

Use Low Heat

High heat is the enemy. Stick to the lowest setting possible. It might take longer, but your clothes won’t shrink and your wardrobe will thank you.

This is true for the wash cycle as well, if the clothes are cooler when they go into the dryer, they’re less likely to suffer any heat damage.

Alternative Drying Techniques

If you don’t want to risk damaging your clothes in the dryer, there are a couple of alternatives you can try;

Air Dry When You Can

Want to avoid all the drama? Skip the dryer altogether. A good old fashioned clothesline, rotary line, retractable clothesline or airer (clothes horse) works wonders. Plus your clothes won’t shrink, fade or get damaged.

Consider A Dehumidifier

If drying indoors, a dehumidifier can speed things up without the risk of shrinkage. Clothes dry when moisture is released into the dryer air. Using a dehumidifier helps keep the surrounding air dryer which allows more moisture to be released from the drying laundry.

Which means your clothes dry faster. Plus, dehumidifiers help keep mould away.

The Final Verdict

So, next time your jeans feel snug or your jumper looks suspiciously child sized, don’t blame yourself. Blame the dryer. It’s not you getting bigger; it’s your clothes getting smaller. But armed with these tips, you can finally stop the madness.

What’s the worst laundry disaster you’ve ever had? Shrunk a favourite outfit? Found a hole where there shouldn’t be one? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear your stories. And don’t forget to share this with your mates who’re forever shrinking their wardrobe.

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