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Nothing is more frustrating than pulling your sheets from the dryer only to find them in a massive, tangled mess after you’ve spent time on that hefty laundry load. Not only does this often mean damp sheets that need more drying time, but it's also an annoying hassle to untangle them! So, what’s the secret to stopping this from happening? We asked laundry professionals for their best tips and tricks to keep your sheets smooth and untangled.
Give It a Shake
Kathy Cohoon from Two Maids, a residential cleaning service, suggests that one simple way to keep sheets from tangling is by giving them a quick shake before placing them in the dryer. This helps prevent the top sheet and fitted sheet from getting knotted together.
However, it's important to manage your expectations: "Due to their size and shape, it's hard to fully eliminate the chance of sheets balling up in the washer," says Sammy Wang, a fabric senior scientist at Procter & Gamble.
Take a Break
Cohoon recommends pausing the dryer halfway through the cycle if you have larger sheets and give them a good shake to prevent bunching. It's also important to avoid mixing large bed linens with other laundry in the machine, as it can cause the fitted sheets to get caught and bunch up.
If conditions permit, skip the dryer and choose to line-dry your sheets. While it may seem extra, it helps avoid the dreaded balling effect. Plus, it can increase the longevity of your fabrics, as exposure to high heat tends to break down textiles over time.
Toss in Dryer or Tennis Balls
Wool dryer balls or tennis balls can help keep your sheets from tangling. According to Wang, 'Tennis balls with their weight and bounce can help keep fabrics separated in the dryer as they tumble.'
Add a Fresh Towel
Throwing a fresh towel in with your dryer load can work like a tennis or dryer ball. It helps keep sheets from tangling, shortens drying time, and absorbs extra moisture. Just make sure the towel is clean—using a dirty one will leave your sheets smelling unpleasant, and you'll end up having to rewash them.
Separate Items for Better Results
"Don't overload your washer with too many sheets at once!" Wang advises. "The more large pieces of fabric, like sheets, the higher the chances they will tangle." Consider washing the fitted sheet and other smaller items in one load, and the flat sheet with other items in another.
Also, avoid overloading your washing machine! Make sure not to stuff more laundry in than the machine can handle. For top-load washers, clothes should never go higher than the agitator, and front-load washers should be about 3/4 full for larger loads.
Invest in a Detangling Solution
If you're in need of a quick fix and don't mind spending a little more, there are specialized products available to prevent clumping, such as the Wad-Free Bed Sheet Detanglers. These are small plastic pieces you attach to your sheet corners to keep them from tangling.
Stephanie Osmanski, our shopping expert, has tested the Wad-Free and found it highly effective. She wrote, "I get drier, wrinkle-free sheets in significantly less time, and I no longer have to untangle sheets from the other laundry." Sounds like a win!
