Drying thermal underwear in a tumble dryer

High-quality thermal underwear is highly valued not only during various sporting events but also during the colder months. Due to its special properties, such clothing requires careful care to avoid accidental damage. That's why there are guidelines not only for washing but also for drying such items. Let's find out whether it's safe to tumble dry thermal underwear.

Is an automatic dryer suitable?

If you've carefully studied the dryer's official user manual, as well as expert recommendations, you'll know that there are a number of items that shouldn't be dried automatically. If you ignore the rules and, at your own risk, use your "home helper" to dry items from the exception list, you could damage the item, your appliances, and even your home.

This is precisely why drying thermal underwear in a machine is unacceptable—it's actually on the list of prohibited items. This recommendation is not without reason, as even the most delicate cycles in a dryer generate too much heat to treat thermal underwear. As a result, after just one drying cycle, the underwear will partially or completely lose its special properties. Therefore, such items should only be dried naturally, following the care tips for heat-resistant clothing.

How to remove moisture correctly?

Drying thermal underwear should be done exclusively in a well-ventilated area on a special drying rack, and always horizontally. Freshly washed clothing can be wrapped in a dry towel or sheet for about five minutes to preserve its shape and quality.

Once the water has stopped dripping, move the item outside. Keep in mind that cotton garments will take much longer to dry than synthetic ones.

Regardless of the materials, do not try to speed up the drying of thermal underwear using household appliances or other improvised means.

Drying items outdoors isn't always possible. If indoor drying is the only option, it's essential to avoid placing them near open heat sources.

At the same time, you shouldn't dry thermal underwear in extreme cold. This is because if the temperature drops significantly below freezing, water will quickly turn to ice. The ice crystals will then expand, tearing the microfiber threads. This will not only cause the underwear to lose its properties but also cause it to tear, making it unusable.

In addition, it's important to follow a few other drying rules, such as avoiding direct sunlight on such garments. Dry them only in well-ventilated areas, hanging them horizontally on a hanger or drying rack. Ideally, hang them under a sunshade or in the shade of trees.

Mistakes when caring for thermal underwear

Unfortunately, users often make mistakes during washing and drying, causing their underwear to lose its thermal insulation properties. This occurs due to damage to the fabric fibers—the threads become tangled, and the pores responsible for wicking away moisture become clogged. Chemicals also damage clothes, making them loose and brittle.

To ensure your thermal underwear retains heat well, remember or write down the classic beginner mistakes. Avoiding these will ensure high-quality products retain heat for years to come. Here's what not to do:

• boil clothes;
• wash items at temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius;
• use dry cleaning, dyes and other chemicals;
• use strong stain removers for cleaning;
• spin clothes at high speed in an automatic washing machine;
• Do not use a special protective net when washing;
• Dry thermal underwear in an automatic dryer.

As you can see, there are not many errors, so they are easy to avoid.

Is ironing contraindicated?

If we're talking about underwear made of synthetic fabrics, ironing is strictly prohibited. Even attempting to iron such clothing at the lowest setting will simply melt the synthetic fibers. This will disrupt the fabric's complex structure, causing it to lose its appearance and all its beneficial properties. Therefore, items containing synthetic fibers should never be ironed.

If the underwear is made of wool, ironing is permitted, but only through a cotton interlining and at the temperature indicated on the iron itself. However, items made of wool or synthetic fibers should not be ironed. It's also best to avoid ironing polyester garments.

Finally, it's also not recommended to iron fleece items after washing. Ironing will cause these garments to lose their velvety, airy feel, and their heat and water resistance.

   

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