7 Things You Should Never Put in the Dryer in Chicago: Essential Laundry Tips for Local Residents

Laundry day can be a bit of a hassle, especially when you’re trying to avoid shrinking, melting, or ruining your favorite clothes. If you live in Chicago, where the weather can throw just about anything at you, taking care of your wardrobe is even more important. To help you out, here’s a list of 7 things you should never put in the dryer. Trust me, it’ll save you from some laundry disasters.

Key Takeaways

• Wool sweaters will shrink and lose their shape in the dryer.
• Delicate lingerie can get torn or stretched out easily.
• Rubber-soled shoes might melt or warp from the heat.
• Bathing suits lose elasticity if exposed to high temperatures.
• Silk fabrics can come out wrinkled or damaged beyond repair.

1. Wool Sweaters

Wool sweaters are a winter staple, but tossing them in the dryer is a fast track to ruining them. The heat and tumbling can shrink your favorite sweater down to doll-size. Even if it doesn’t shrink, the fibers can lose their softness and shape, turning a cozy garment into something stiff and uncomfortable.

Why Wool and Dryers Don’t Mix

1. Heat Sensitivity: Wool fibers are super sensitive to high temperatures, which can cause them to contract and shrink.
2. Loss of Shape: The agitation inside the dryer can stretch or distort the sweater’s structure.
3. Damage to Fibers: Prolonged exposure to heat can weaken the delicate wool strands, making them more prone to wear and tear.

How to Care for Wool Sweaters

• Hand Wash or Gentle Cycle: Use cold water and a detergent specifically designed for wool.
• Air Dry Flat: Lay the sweater on a clean towel, reshape it gently, and let it dry naturally. Avoid hanging it, as this can stretch the fabric.
• Store Properly: Keep your wool sweaters folded in a cool, dry place to maintain their shape and texture.

Wool sweaters are an investment in comfort and style, so treat them with care. A little extra effort goes a long way in keeping them soft, warm, and wearable for years to come.

For those looking for alternatives to wool, consider layering with materials like cotton or silk underneath for a more skin-friendly option during sweater weather.

2. Delicate Lingerie

When it comes to delicate lingerie, tossing it in the dryer is a big no. The heat and tumbling action can destroy the fine fabrics and intricate details like lace or embroidery. These pieces are often made from fragile materials that don’t hold up well to high temperatures or rough handling.

Instead of risking damage, consider these alternatives:

• Hand wash your lingerie in cool water with a gentle detergent.
• If you must use a washing machine, place items in a mesh laundry bag and select the delicate cycle.
• Lay your lingerie flat on a clean towel to air dry. Avoid hanging it, as this can stretch the fabric.

Treating your lingerie with care not only keeps it looking beautiful but also makes it last longer. A little extra effort goes a long way in preserving these special pieces.

For more tips on maintaining delicate fabrics like lace and embroidery, check out our caring for lingerie guide.

3. Rubber-Soled Shoes

Why Rubber-Soled Shoes Don’t Belong in the Dryer

Throwing rubber-soled shoes in the dryer might seem like a quick way to get them dry, but it’s not a good idea. The heat from the dryer can warp the rubber, making the soles lose their shape or even crack. Plus, the tumbling motion can damage both the shoe and your dryer. Nobody wants a loud thud every few seconds while their laundry runs, right?

What Happens to the Rubber Over Time

When exposed to high heat, rubber can break down. This doesn’t just mean your shoes might look a little rougher—it can actually make them unsafe to wear. Warped soles might not grip the ground properly, which could lead to slips or falls. And if the rubber cracks? Well, that’s pretty much the end of the road for your shoes. For proper care of all your home essentials, check out our small appliance repair services, ensuring everything in your home functions safely and efficiently.

Better Ways to Dry Your Shoes

If you’re in a hurry to dry your shoes, here are some safer alternatives:

1. Air Drying: Stuff your shoes with newspaper to help them keep their shape and absorb moisture. Place them in a well-ventilated area.
2. Use a Fan: Set your shoes near a fan to speed up the drying process. This works great if you need them ready by tomorrow.
3. Remove the Insoles: Take out the insoles and dry them separately. This helps everything dry faster and reduces odor.

Rushing to dry your shoes in the dryer might save a little time, but it could cost you a perfectly good pair of sneakers. Take a few extra minutes to dry them the right way—it’s worth it.

4. Bathing Suits

Bathing suits and dryers just don’t get along. The intense heat of a dryer can ruin the elasticity in swimsuits, leaving them stretched out and unwearable. Think about it—your bathing suit is designed to hug your body and stay snug. If the elastic breaks down, it’s game over.

Here’s why you should avoid the dryer for your swimwear:

• Elasticity damage: Heat weakens the stretchy fibers that keep your suit fitting well.
• Fading colors: High heat can dull those vibrant patterns and colors.
• Fabric wear: The constant tumbling can cause thinning or even tearing in delicate areas.

Instead, try these simple steps to dry your bathing suits:

1. Rinse them with cool water after use to remove chlorine or salt.
2. Gently squeeze out excess water—don’t wring or twist.
3. Lay them flat on a towel to air-dry, away from direct sunlight.

Taking a few extra minutes to care for your swimsuits can make them last longer and keep them looking fresh all season. It’s worth the effort! Call us for tips on how to properly care for your swimsuits!

5. Embellished Clothing

Throwing embellished clothing into the dryer is asking for trouble. Whether it’s a dress with sequins, a jacket with beads, or a shirt with rhinestones, the dryer is not their friend. The heat and tumbling can loosen or completely detach those decorative elements. And let’s be honest, once the embellishments are gone, the outfit just doesn’t look the same.

Here are a few reasons why embellished clothing should stay far away from the dryer:

• The adhesive used to secure embellishments can melt under high heat.
• Tumbling action can snag threads, leading to loose or missing decorations.
• Fragile materials like sequins or beads can crack or shatter.

How to Care for Embellished Clothing

If you want to keep your embellished pieces looking their best, follow these tips:

1. Hand wash or use a gentle cycle on your washing machine. Always turn the garment inside out to protect the decorations.
2. Lay the clothing flat to air dry. Avoid hanging them, as the weight of the water can stretch the fabric.
3. If you’re in a rush, use a mesh laundry bag for extra protection during washing, but still skip the dryer.

Taking a little extra time to care for your embellished clothing can save you from having to replace them prematurely. It’s worth the effort to keep those special pieces in great shape.

For more guidance on caring for delicate items like embellished clothing, check out this proper care guide.

6. Items with Plastic Parts

Why Plastic Parts and Dryers Don’t Mix

Putting items with plastic parts in the dryer is asking for trouble. Plastic can melt under high heat, and when it does, it not only ruins the item but could also damage your dryer. Think about things like jackets with plastic zippers, baby bibs with plastic snaps, or even kitchen mats with rubber backings. These items just aren’t built to handle the heat. For more tips and assistance, check out our Kitchen Appliance Repair Services to ensure all your appliances are in safe working condition.

What Happens When Plastic Melts

Here’s why it’s a big deal:

• The item becomes unusable: Once plastic melts, it’s nearly impossible to fix the damage.
• Dryer drums can get sticky: Melted plastic can adhere to the drum, making it a nightmare to clean.
• Risk of fire: In some cases, melted plastic can pose a fire hazard, especially if it clogs the dryer vent.

Alternatives to Drying Plastic Parts

Instead of tossing these items in the dryer, try these methods:

1. Air-dry: Lay the item flat or hang it up in a well-ventilated area.
2. Spot clean: If the plastic part is small, clean it by hand and avoid washing the entire item.
3. Use a low-heat setting: If you absolutely must use the dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and monitor closely.

Always check the care label before drying anything with plastic components. It’s better to spend a little extra time drying it properly than to deal with a ruined item—or worse, a broken dryer.

For example, certain black plastic items have been found to contain DecaBDE, a flame retardant that raises health and safety concerns. Items like these, as well as kitchen utensils made of black plastic, are better kept far away from your dryer.

7. Silk Fabrics

Silk is one of those materials that seems fancy for a reason—it’s delicate, smooth, and, honestly, a bit high-maintenance. Throwing silk into the dryer is a recipe for disaster. The heat can shrink the fabric, ruin its texture, or even cause it to lose that signature sheen everyone loves.

Why You Should Never Use a Dryer for Silk

• Heat Damage: Silk fibers are super sensitive to high temperatures, and even a quick tumble can make them brittle or weak.
• Shrinkage: Ever pulled out a shirt that looks like it belongs to a doll? That’s what happens when silk shrinks.
• Wrinkling: The dryer can leave permanent creases that are nearly impossible to smooth out.

How to Care for Silk Instead

1. Hand wash it in cold water with a gentle detergent.
2. Lay it flat on a clean towel and roll it up to squeeze out excess water—don’t wring it.
3. Let it air dry on a flat surface, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

Silk is luxurious, but it’s not forgiving. Treat it gently if you want it to last.

Oh, and one more thing—if your silk item has any leather or faux leather trims, keep it far away from the dryer. As a rule of thumb, real or faux leather doesn’t do well in the heat either.

Wrapping It Up

So, there you have it—seven things you should never toss in the dryer if you live in Chicago (or anywhere, really). It might feel like a hassle to sort through your laundry and figure out what’s safe for the dryer, but trust me, it’s worth it. Nobody wants to ruin their favorite sweater or shrink their go-to pair of jeans. Plus, some of these tips can save you money in the long run by keeping your clothes and household items in good shape. Laundry might not be the most exciting chore, but a little extra care goes a long way. Happy washing—and drying! For more help, check out our Laundry Appliance Repair Services to ensure your machines are in top working order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why shouldn’t I put wool sweaters in the dryer?

Wool sweaters can shrink or lose their shape when exposed to the heat of a dryer. It’s better to air-dry them flat to keep them looking their best. Call us  for more tips on how to care for your wool garments!

Can delicate lingerie go in the dryer on a low setting?

Even on a low setting, the dryer can damage delicate fabrics like lace or elastic. Handwashing and air-drying are safer options.

What’s wrong with drying rubber-soled shoes in the dryer?

The heat can cause the rubber to warp or even melt, ruining your shoes. Let them air-dry instead.

Are bathing suits safe to tumble dry?

No, the heat can weaken the elastic and fade the colors of your bathing suit. Hanging them to dry is a better choice.

Why can’t embellished clothing go in the dryer?

Decorations like beads or sequins can fall off or get damaged in the dryer. Air-drying helps preserve these details.

What happens to silk fabrics in the dryer?

Silk can lose its shine and texture when exposed to high heat. It’s best to let silk clothes air-dry to keep them in good condition. Contact us  for expert tips on caring for your delicate fabrics!