Dryer Temperatures 101: How to Choose the Right Setting at Made New Laundry
After you've used the perfect water temperature to wash your clothes, it's time to get them dry! At Made New Laundry, our state-of-the-art dryers offer several temperature settings to give you the best results based on the type of clothes you're drying. Choosing the right temperature is key to keeping your clothes in great condition. Here's a quick guide to help you pick the perfect dryer setting for every load.
High Heat – For the Heaviest Loads
High heat is the most intense setting on the dryer and works well for items that can withstand it. It gets the job done fast, but be careful—too much heat can damage or shrink certain fabrics.
Use High Heat For:
Towels and Bedding: Thick items like towels, sheets, and blankets can take a long time to dry. High heat ensures they come out fully dry and fluffy.
Heavy-Duty Items: Think jeans, sweatshirts, and other durable fabrics that won’t shrink or get damaged by heat.
Cotton Items: If you’re drying 100% cotton, especially whites or items that are already preshrunk, high heat can be a good choice to keep them crisp and clean.
What to Watch Out For: High heat can shrink or damage delicate fabrics and cause fading over time, so avoid using it for anything that’s prone to shrinkage or has elastic in it.
Medium Heat – For Everyday Loads
Medium heat is the sweet spot for most fabrics. It’s hot enough to dry your clothes efficiently but not so intense that it damages them.
Use Medium Heat For:
Everyday Clothes: T-shirts, shorts, and casual wear can safely be dried on medium heat without the risk of shrinkage or damage.
Synthetics: Polyester, nylon, and other synthetic materials dry best at medium temperatures. High heat can melt or warp these fabrics, so it’s best to keep it moderate.
Mixed Loads: If you have a load with different fabrics and aren’t sure what temperature to use, medium heat is generally a safe bet.
What to Watch Out For: While medium heat works for most items, keep an eye on anything delicate or prone to shrinking, like knits or blends.
Low Heat – For Delicates and Fabrics that Need Care
Low heat is gentle on fabrics and is ideal for more delicate materials that can’t handle the intensity of higher temperatures. While it might take a little longer to dry your clothes on low heat, it’s worth it to avoid shrinkage and damage.
Use Low Heat For:
Delicate Fabrics: Lingerie, silk, lace, and lightweight fabrics like rayon should always be dried on low to protect them from damage.
Elastic Clothing: Athletic wear, swimwear, and items with elastic bands are best dried on low heat to maintain their stretch and fit.
Preventing Wrinkles: Low heat can help reduce wrinkles on more delicate fabrics, so they come out of the dryer looking neat.
What to Watch Out For: Low heat won’t get items bone-dry as quickly, so be prepared for a longer cycle time or finish drying heavier fabrics by air.
Air Dry/No Heat – For Ultra-Sensitive Items
The air-dry or no-heat setting uses only room-temperature air to gently tumble your clothes. This setting takes the longest but is perfect for items that can’t handle any heat at all.
Use Air Dry For:
Wool or Cashmere: These natural fibers can shrink or lose their shape with any heat, so air-dry is the safest option.
Embellished Clothes: Garments with beads, sequins, or other decorations are best dried with no heat to avoid damage.
Sneakers or Rubber-Soled Shoes: If you need to dry items like shoes, use the no-heat setting to avoid melting or warping the materials.
What to Watch Out For: Air-drying can be slow, so this is best used when you have the time to let your items tumble for longer periods.
Pro Tips for Perfect Drying:
Check the Labels: Always follow the care instructions on your clothing tags to avoid shrinking or damaging your items.
Don’t Overload: Overloading the dryer prevents air from circulating, causing clothes to dry unevenly. Keep your loads balanced.
Remove Clothes Promptly: Take clothes out of the dryer as soon as they’re done to prevent wrinkles. Many of our dryers have a wrinkle-prevention setting for extra help with this!
Use Dryer Balls or Sheets: Add dryer balls to speed up drying time and reduce static, or dryer sheets to keep clothes smelling fresh and reduce static cling.
At Made New Laundry, our dryers are designed to give you the flexibility to choose the right setting for any load, ensuring your clothes come out looking their best every time. Whether you need high heat for bulky towels or a gentle tumble for delicates, we’ve got you covered!
