Drying a sweater in a tumble dryer

Not all items are machine-dryable. However, modern machines are increasingly featuring delicate cycles. While it used to be impossible to dry woolen items in machines, these machines now even have a special "Wool" algorithm.

Let's find out whether it's safe to dry a sweater in a dryer or not. How should woolen items be dried properly to avoid damaging them? What recommendations do experts offer?

Will tumble drying damage a wool sweater?

Thanks to advances, it's now possible to dry many delicate fabrics, including wool, in dryers. But only if you follow a few rules. Failure to follow these guidelines can ruin your favorite item. How do you properly dry a wool sweater to keep it safe and sound?

First, check the sweater's label. It will indicate whether the sweater is tumble dryable or not. It will also list the fabric composition.

If your wool sweater has a tumble dry symbol on the label, you can safely throw it in the dryer drum.

Let's say automatic drying of a sweater is allowed. Woolen items can only be dried on delicate settings, at low temperatures and with a short cycle time. Therefore, the second thing you need to do is study the software “stuffing” of your machine.

It's crucial to choose the right drying cycle for your sweater. The "Wool" and "Delicates" programs are suitable. Some machines also have timed cycles. You can start with the minimum drying time of 20 minutes and then adjust accordingly based on the garment's condition.

To be 100% sure your wool sweater is safe, check your dryer for Woolmark certification. This organization certifies equipment that handles wool. For example, the Candy RapidO dryer has this certification, so you can safely dry woolen items in it.

How to properly dry wool items

Having established that automatic drying is acceptable, you can get down to business. It might seem like there are other nuances. However, machine and wool garment manufacturers offer some recommendations to help prevent damage to your items. Let's look at the main points.

• Avoid overloading the drum. Typically, a minimum load is acceptable when drying woolen items. For example, if your machine is rated for 6 kg of items, use no more than 2 kg of wool.
• Do not dry wool items with other cotton or synthetic items. Always separate the cycles, as the fabrics require completely different settings.
• Be sure to straighten out the items in the drum. They should not be packed tightly together.
• Large woolen items, such as blankets, may require two consecutive drying cycles. After the first cycle, remove the blanket, shake it out, straighten it, and then place it back in the drum for another cycle.
• Don't leave items in the drum after drying; always remove them. Otherwise, even after 3-4 hours in the machine, the fabric may develop an unpleasant musty odor.

All recommendations are as simple as possible. Remember to dry wool separately from other laundry, using the most delicate setting. Keep the drum load to a minimum. At the end of the cycle, remove items from the machine immediately to prevent them from becoming rotted.

Let's give your drying clothes a pleasant smell

Some housewives report an unpleasant odor even immediately after removing woolen items from the washing machine. This may be due to the specific fabric. However, this problem can be easily solved by adding a fragrance ball, such as PVHOME, to the drum before starting the dryer.

To make your laundry smell nice after drying in the machine, you can use special fragrances for dryers.

PVHOME scented balls are designed specifically for wool garments. They can completely replace fabric softener. Not only do the balls impart a pleasant scent, but they also soften the fabric and prevent creasing. They are hypoallergenic, so they can be used for drying children's clothes.

PVHOME round balls are made from premium New Zealand sheep's wool. They are reusable. On average, they last for 1,000 cycles—that's four years if you tumble dry them every 1-2 days.

The balls' main purpose is to soften the wool, prevent creases and folds in the fabric, and reduce cycle time (they absorb water). To use the balls as a fragrance, add a small drop of essential oil to each ball (preferably overnight to allow the liquid to soak in).

The balls are tossed into the dryer drum along with the laundry. The desired program is then started. At the end of the cycle, the balls are rinsed and dried.

Sheet fabric softener for dryers is also available, such as from Pigeon Corporation. Scented wipes protect fabric from excessive drying, creasing, and the development of foreign odors during the drying process.

One package of Korean sheet conditioner costs about $6. It lasts for 40 drying cycles. The line comes in several scents:

• "Citrus, Powdery"
• Rose, Jasmine, Vanilla;
• "Musk, Cotton Candy."

This sheet fabric softener scents laundry, makes ironing easier, and has an antistatic effect. The fragrance is based on heat-resistant flower essence. Suitable for all fabric types, including wool.

The manufacturer recommends adding one sheet for every 3 kilograms of laundry. However, users report that one sheet is sufficient for five to six kilograms of laundry. This allows for more economical use of the fragrance.

Hae produces dryer sheets. This is another highly regarded Korean product. The line includes the following fragrances:

• "Jasmine";
• "The Coolness of the Ocean";
• "Flower sweetness".

The fibers collect small particles like dust and lint. This reduces the amount of dirt in the dryer, leaving your laundry soft and fragrant.

Hae sheet conditioner is hypoallergenic tested.

In addition to the fact that the wipes give the laundry a pleasant aroma, they also:

• protect materials from drying out;
• remove static tension from fabric;
• collect the remaining powder;
• prevents creases from forming on items.

The cloth can also be used as a sachet. The viscose fabric retains the scent for a long time. So, you can place it in a closet or dresser with clean linens and enjoy your favorite scent forever. The Hae sheet fabric softener is based on heat-resistant flower essence.

One package contains 40 scented wipes. Each pack costs approximately $7.60. The manufacturer recommends using one sheet to dry 3 kg of laundry.

There are also dryers with a compartment for fragrances, such as Miele dryers. Owners of these dryers can purchase special fragrance bottles.

The fragrance compartment is located just below the loading door. Some models have two compartments. The capsule is inserted into this recess. The amount of fragrance can be adjusted – some users prefer a strong, vibrant scent, while others prefer a subtle, subtle one.

Miele dryer fragrances are produced by the French company Mane. All bottles contain essential oils. The line includes the following fragrances:

• "Aqua";
• "Cocoon";
• "Nature".

In addition to imparting a pleasant scent, this product also makes clothes soft and silky. This is especially helpful when drying woolen items. The fragrance also acts as an antistatic agent.

One bottle costs about $25. On average, the essence lasts for 50 tumble dryer cycles and 70 tumble dryer cycles. The manufacturer promises a pleasant scent that will last up to four weeks. The product is available for purchase on marketplaces or at specialized Miele stores.

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