Drying baby clothes in a tumble dryer

Children's clothes need to be washed every day. Newborns soil diapers and undershirts, toddlers fall while exploring the world, and older children invent games that require a thorough cleaning. Therefore, a tumble dryer is essential for families with more than one child.

Let's figure out how to dry baby clothes in a dryer. How can you prevent shrinkage? What's the best drying cycle for these items?

How to avoid shrinkage of clothes

The main problem parents face is shrinkage of laundry when drying in a machine. Besides the fact that children grow quickly, the situation is further complicated by the shrinking of clothing. If you don't manage it properly, you have to buy clothes for your little ones twice as often, which is very expensive.

Experienced mothers know that children's clothes often shrink during the first time they're dried in the machine. This is a one-time action—afterward, you can safely dry the items in the machine; they won't shrink again. Therefore, one recommendation is to buy clothes one size larger for your child.

It is better to initially buy children's clothes that are planned to be dried in a tumble dryer one size larger.

If you don't want to buy more clothes, you should choose items that are not prone to shrinkage. To do this, check the garment tag. It should have a symbol indicating that it can be tumble dried.

And one more, most important nuance. It is necessary to select a gentle drying program, with air heating to a temperature of no more than 40°C. Modern dryers of any brand have delicate modes that provide gentle treatment for laundry. The user's task is to recognize these algorithms.

Programs suitable for drying children's clothes

Generally speaking, most baby clothes can be machine dried. You just need to choose a program that will ensure the most gentle and thorough drying. Some brands even have a special program for baby clothes.

So the first thing you need to do is understand your dryer's software. A description of all drying modes is provided in the equipment's manual. Find out what algorithms are stored in the device's memory, how long each cycle lasts, and what temperature the air in the drying chamber reaches.

Let's explore the modes using examples from specific brands of dryers. For example, Beko machines have a dedicated "Children's" program. This doesn't require much thought; the algorithm of the same name will handle the task perfectly.

Owners of Beko dryers can choose one of the following programs when loading children's clothes into the drum:

• "Children's." A special cycle for baby clothes. This cycle can be made from cotton or blended fabrics. The cycle duration is 65 minutes. It is recommended to spin the items in the washing machine at 1000 rpm before loading them into the dryer.
• "Delicates." This program provides the most gentle treatment. Drying time is 40 minutes. Suitable for delicate fabrics prone to shrinkage.
• "Iron Dry." This gentle algorithm leaves items slightly damp at the end of the cycle, perfect for ironing. Shrinkage is definitely avoided. The program takes just 35 minutes.

It's best to avoid high-temperature, long-drying programs, such as "Extra Dry" and "Cupboard Dry." These can cause items to shrink, making them difficult for your baby to wear. These programs are best for cotton diapers, rompers, and baby clothes.

Asko tumble dryers don't have such a diverse software suite. Most models have standard algorithms:

• "Extra";
• "Normal";
• "Delicate";
• "Under the iron."

You can find the settings for each algorithm in the machine's manual. Of the programs provided, "Delicate" is the most suitable for drying baby clothes. Clothes will remain in the machine for about an hour. The heating will turn off immediately after the clothes are dry, preventing them from becoming overdried.

You can also use the "Iron Dry" function on Asko to dry children's clothes. This will leave the items slightly damp, making ironing easier. The heating will turn off once the load reaches the set moisture level.

Gorenje brand tumble dryers have a great range of programs. Most Gorenje models have a special “Children's clothing” algorithm. At the end of the cycle, the laundry in the drum will be dry or slightly damp. The cycle settings are designed to prevent shrinkage.

If your dryer doesn't have a special "children's" program, you can select any delicate cycle.

For example, let's look at the Gorenje's "inside." If it weren't for the child-safe algorithm, you could easily wash babies' clothes using the following programs:

• "Mix for Wardrobe." This program is designed for delicate items made from blended fabrics, synthetics, and cotton. Garments are dry after the program ends.
• "Iron Mix." This program is for delicate items made of cotton, synthetics, and mixed fabrics. Items remain slightly damp in the drum to facilitate ironing.
• "Delicates." Another gentle program. Laundry remains slightly damp at the end of the cycle. This program allows for a minimal drum load (no more than 1-1.5 kg).
• "Sport." This program is also suitable for drying children's clothes. The temperature in the drying chamber is low—this is necessary to prevent shrinkage of sportswear made from stretchy fabrics.
• "Shirts." Another delicate algorithm. Not suitable for drying diapers and other cotton items. However, it will gently dry school blouses, shirts, dresses, etc.

The choice of the appropriate program depends on the type of children's clothing, whether it be diapers, undershirts and rompers, or tracksuits, school uniforms, or elegant dresses.

In principle, you can dry children's jeans, trousers, and T-shirts using standard "adult" drying methods. However, it's important to consider the fabric used to make the garment. Assess the fabric's shrinkage potential in advance.

Miele tumble dryers feature a unique "HygieneDry" algorithm. It's designed for cotton or linen textiles that come into direct contact with the skin. For example, it's perfect for drying baby clothes, diapers, pajamas, and other children's items.

When this algorithm is run, not only the fabric is dried but also treated with antibacterial agents. Do not use on children's items made from delicate materials.

Miele dryers also feature a "Delicates" program. It's also suitable for drying children's clothes. This program is designed for delicate fabrics. You can add items made of synthetic and mixed fibers, treated cotton, or rayon to the drum.

So, don't be afraid to dry baby clothes in the washing machine. Most items will handle this treatment just fine. Be careful with items prone to shrinkage. But even here, simply choosing the right cycle is a simple matter.

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