What to Do If Your Clothing Tag Says 'Tumble Dry Low'

Once you've found the perfect piece of clothing, you'll want it to stay in great shape and fit well for as long as possible. Check the care tag; alongside washing instructions, it may recommend 'tumble dry low.' You've probably seen this phrase on labels for items like knitwear, delicate bamboo sheets, and beaded garments. But what does 'tumble dry low' mean, and why is it important? Here's everything you need to know about these care label guidelines and how to choose the right dryer settings to preserve your clothes and special items.

When and Why Should You Use the Tumble Dry Low Setting?

When you notice "tumble dry low" on a care label, choose the low heat setting and select the delicate or gentle cycle on your dryer. If the label is missing, here's a list of items that should always be tumble dried on low heat:

• Lightweight fabrics: lace, mesh, sheer materials, bamboo, rayon, microfiber, knitwear
• Embellished items: beaded, embroidered, or sequined fabrics
• Screen printed items: T-shirts, sports jerseys
• Athletic wear: performance fabrics containing spandex or Lycra for stretch

Apart from air drying clothes on a rack, using the low heat setting along with the delicate or gentle cycle is the safest option to minimize wrinkles, avoid shrinking, and protect embellishments like beading, screen prints, and embroidery from the harm of excessive heat and tumbling in other dryer cycles.

Understanding the Meaning of 'Tumble Dry'

It's important to understand that every automatic dryer, whether at home or in a laundromat, uses a tumbling action to dry clothes. (So, 'tumble dry' simply refers to using a dryer appliance.) Most dryer drums have paddles on the sides that lift and drop the wet laundry as the drum spins, creating the tumbling effect. The alternative to tumble drying in an automatic dryer is air drying on a clothesline or rack.

Dryers offer a variety of cycle and temperature settings. Using the same cycle and temperature for every load can damage your clothes and linens. Before you hit start, ensure you select the correct temperature and cycle for the items you're drying. The most common heat settings are low (125°F), medium (135°F), and high (150°F).

Different manufacturers may label cycle options slightly differently, but here’s a simple guide to follow:

• Automatic, Regular, or Timed Dry: This is the most commonly used cycle. Choose it for cotton sheets, towels, denim, or sweatpants.
• Delicate or Gentle: Ideal for knits, lightweight fabrics, activewear, and embellished items.
• Permanent Press or Wrinkle-Resistant: A great choice for most fabrics. This cycle uses medium heat and includes a cool-down phase at the end to reduce wrinkles.
• Air Dry or Air Fluff: A heat-free cycle designed to remove dust and fluff pillows or down-filled items like comforters and coats.
• Steam: This cycle uses high heat and steam to eliminate odors and wrinkles from fabrics.

5 Tips for Achieving the Best Tumble Dry Low Results

1. If you skipped sorting your laundry by fabric weight before washing, make sure to sort it before placing items in the dryer. Use the delicate cycle or tumble dry low for lightweight items.
2. Avoid overloading the dryer drum. Putting in too many items at once causes wrinkles and creasing.
3. Take items out of the dryer immediately once the cycle finishes. Hang or fold them right away to prevent excess wrinkles.
4. Dryer sheets can leave a thin residue on the moisture sensor, which messes with drying times. Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to clean the moisture sensor inside the dryer drum.
5. Clean the lint trap after each load. Even small amounts of lint can increase drying time.