How to use a dryer properly: A guide for beginners

Using a tumble dryer can save time and effort, especially when drying clothes quickly or in damp conditions. Understanding how to use a dryer properly not only ensures that your laundry dries efficiently but also helps maintain the quality and longevity of your clothes. By selecting the correct clothes dryer settings, you can avoid shrinking, fading, or damaging fabrics.

Here’s a brief summary of the steps to follow when using a dryer:

• Prepare the clothes: Check the care labels and separate clothes by fabric type.
• Load the tumble dryer: Ensure you don't overload it to allow proper air circulation.
• Select the cycle, time, and temperature: Choose the right settings for your fabric.
• Start the dryer: Press start and monitor progress.
• Unload the dryer: Remove clothes promptly to avoid wrinkles.

In this guide, we’ll go beyond these basic steps, offering tips and detailed advice to help you tumble dry clothes efficiently and protect your garments, making them last longer.

Step 1: Preparing your laundry for the dryer

Proper preparation of your laundry is essential for effective tumble drying. By taking a few extra steps before loading the machine, you can ensure your clothes dry efficiently, maintain their quality, and last longer.

Here are some key tips for getting your laundry ready for the dryer:

Always sort clothes

Before placing your clothes in the dryer, it’s important to sort them by fabric type and color. Different fabrics, such as cotton, wool, and synthetics, require different drying temperatures and care. For example, delicate fabrics like silk or wool should be dried on lower heat settings, while heavier items like towels can handle higher heat. Sorting by color also prevents color bleeding, especially when drying dark and light-colored items together.

Additionally, make sure to check if certain items can be tumble dried. Fabrics like spandex or items with embellishments may not be suitable for the dryer. For more details on what shouldn’t go into the dryer, check out this guide on which items shouldn’t be put into the dryer.

Check the laundry care labels

One of the most important steps before drying is checking the care labels on each item. The care label will provide specific instructions for how to dry the garment, including whether it’s safe to tumble dry and which temperature to use. Ignoring these labels can result in shrinking, fabric damage, or fading.

To better understand these symbols, you can refer to this guide on how to read care labels.

Removing excess moisture

Before putting your clothes in the dryer, it’s a good idea to remove excess moisture by wringing them out. This step helps speed up the drying process and reduces energy consumption.

By giving your clothes an extra squeeze, especially heavier items like towels or jeans, you’ll prevent the dryer from working harder than necessary, resulting in faster and more efficient drying.

Detangle clothes

Lastly, take a moment to detangle your clothes before placing them in the dryer. Items like bedsheets, long dresses, or jeans can get twisted or balled up in the wash, making it harder for hot air to circulate through them. Untangling clothes before drying ensures that they dry evenly and prevents excessive wrinkling.

Step 2: Load the dryer properly

Loading the dryer correctly is essential for ensuring efficient drying and preventing damage to your clothes. By following a few simple guidelines, you can avoid common mistakes, such as overloading the machine or uneven drying.

To ensure even drying, it's important to distribute your clothes evenly inside the dryer. Here’s how:

• Shake out clothes before placing them in the dryer to prevent clumping.
• Mix large and small items: Balance out heavier items, such as towels or jeans, with lighter ones like shirts, so they all dry evenly.
• Avoid drying mixed fabric types together: Dry heavy fabrics and delicates separately to protect clothes and ensure even drying.

By following these guidelines, you'll maximize your dryer's efficiency and help protect your clothes.

Step 3: Select the proper dryer setting

Choosing the right dryer setting helps protect your clothes and improves drying efficiency. Modern dryers offer multiple options, so here’s a quick guide to picking the best one for your laundry.

Temperature settings

• High heat: Best for durable fabrics like towels, jeans, and bedding. Avoid using it on delicate fabrics to prevent shrinkage.
• Medium heat: Ideal for synthetic fabrics like polyester. It dries faster than low heat but is gentler than high heat.
• Low heat: Suitable for delicate items like silk, wool, and lingerie to prevent damage.
• No heat/Air dry: Uses room-temperature air. Great for heat-sensitive clothes, airing out items, or fluffing up pillows.

Tip: Always check the care label before choosing the temperature setting to avoid damage.

Time settings

• Short cycles (30-45 min): Best for small loads and lightweight fabrics.
• Longer cycles (60-90 min): Necessary for heavier items like towels, blankets, or denim.

If your dryer has automatic sensors, use them to prevent overdrying and save energy. For manual time settings, adjust carefully to avoid damaging fabrics.

Delicate or gentle cycle

Use the Delicate Cycle for fragile fabrics like silk, lace, or lingerie. The Gentle Cycle is great for lightly soiled or synthetic items that need careful handling to avoid stretching or wrinkling.

Steam cycle (optional feature)

Newer dryers may offer a Steam Cycle to freshen clothes and reduce wrinkles without a full wash.

• Steam Refresh: Ideal for clothes that have been sitting in storage.
• Steam Sanitize: Great for baby clothes or bedding that need extra cleaning.

Choosing the right dryer setting can prevent fabric damage, improve efficiency, and save time!

Read more: Delicate program in washing machines: What it is & How to use it

Step 4: Maintain your dryer after each load

Proper maintenance keeps your dryer running efficiently and reduces safety risks. Here’s what to do after each load:

Clean the lint filter

Cleaning the lint filter is crucial to maintain airflow and prevent lint buildup, which can reduce drying efficiency and cause fire hazards.

How to clean:

• Remove the lint filter.
• Clear away lint with your hands or a brush.
• Rinse it under warm water if it’s very dirty, then let it dry completely.

Regular lint filter cleaning improves drying performance and shortens drying time.

Maintain the moisture sensor

Modern dryers often have a moisture sensor that stops the cycle once clothes are dry. A dirty sensor may cause inaccurate drying times.

How to clean:

• Turn off the dryer.
• Wipe the sensor with a soft cloth and white vinegar to remove residue from detergent or fabric softeners.

Keeping the sensor clean helps your dryer work efficiently and saves energy.

Keep vent hoses clean (for vented dryers)

For vented dryers, regularly clean the vent hose to prevent lint buildup, which can obstruct airflow and cause overheating.

How to clean:

• Disconnect the vent hose.
• Use a vacuum or brush to remove lint and debris.
• Ensure the vent is clear before reconnecting it.

Blocked vents reduce drying efficiency and can pose safety risks.

Check the drum and exterior

Wipe down the drum and exterior to keep the dryer clean and free from dust, detergent residue, or lint.

Pro tip: Check the care labels on your clothes and dryer manual for best practices to maximize the dryer’s lifespan.

By following these simple maintenance steps, you’ll improve your dryer’s performance, save energy, and reduce safety risks.

Things you shouldn’t do when using a dryer

To make sure your dryer works efficiently and your clothes stay in good condition, here are a few things to avoid:

Don’t overload the dryer

Packing too many clothes into the dryer might seem like a time-saver, but it prevents proper airflow, causing clothes to dry unevenly. Overloading also puts extra strain on the machine and can damage the motor over time.

Avoid drying clothes with metal parts

Items like zippers, buckles, or hooks can scratch or damage the dryer drum. Turn clothes with zippers inside out or secure any hooks to prevent damage.

Never dry items labeled “Do not tumble dry”

Always check the care labels before tossing clothes into the dryer. Some fabrics, like wool, silk, or delicate synthetics, can shrink, melt, or lose shape when exposed to heat.

Check pockets before drying

Empty pockets before putting clothes in the dryer. Items like tissues can shred and leave a mess, while coins, pens, or keys can damage the drum or cause a fire hazard.

Why choose Electrolux for efficient and safe drying?

Using your tumble dryer correctly is key to ensuring efficient drying and maintaining the quality of your clothes. By selecting the right settings and performing regular maintenance, you’ll save time, energy, and prolong the life of your fabrics.

Electrolux dryers are designed with innovative features that ensure both performance and fabric care. Technologies like 3DSense and SensiCare MixedDry offer precise moisture detection for effective drying, while Hygiene settings eliminate bacteria. Additionally, the WoolMark Blue certification guarantees gentle care for wool garments, and their superior Energy Ratings ensure you save electricity with every load.

For dryers that combine cutting-edge technology with eco-friendly design, explore the range of Electrolux new UltimateCare dryers to find the perfect solution for your home.