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7 common items you should never put in a dryer
Dryers can be real lifesavers on overcast days where there just isn’t enough sun for the old Hills Hoist to be effective, but they’re by no means suitable for all garments.
Good Housekeeping has put together a list containing seven common household items that should never be put in a dryer. Some clothes just can’t handle the heat!
1. Swimmers
While they can generally face up to the heat of the sun, the harsh temperatures inside the dryer will eventually leave the spandex in your swimmers brittle and broken.
2. Pantyhose and tights
The delicate mesh material found in pantyhose and tights has a tendency to shrink in high heats. The intense, tumbling motion of the drier can also leave them in a tangle.
3. Rubber-backed bath mats
These items might keep you from slipping and sliding in the bathroom, but the rubber on the back of bath mats can’t stand the heat of the dryer and will eventually crumble.
4. Bras
Hey, they’re called delicates for a reason! The heat and agitation of movement in a dryer is no good for your bras, and can potentially damage their elasticity and shape.
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5. Garments with embellishments
The tumble dry cycle is notorious for damaging embellishments like sequins or stones, so if you want to keep your fanciest tops and dresses intact is best to hang dry them.
6. Anything with a tag warning
This one might seem obvious, but so many of us dump all our clothes into the dryer even when we’re not aware of the fabric we’re working with. If you’re not 100 per cent sure what the clothes are made out of look for tag warning before drying.
7. Joggers
The old tennis shoes in the dryer trick is one that’s been around for years, but it doesn’t walk as well with joggers used for running, exercise and walking. The reason is the drying cycle and shrink the rubber, ruin the cushioning and weaken the adhesives for the latter, which will eventually leave your once sturdy shoes weak and useless.
Do you agree with our list? Are there some other items we should never put in a dryer?
Let us know in the comments below.
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