Can You Dry Clothes in the Oven?
While the idea of drying clothes in the oven may seem like an easy and effective way to dry your clothing quickly, it is not a recommended practice. Here are a few things to consider before turning on the oven for your laundry:
Flame or Electric?
For starters, you will want to consider what type of oven you have: gas or electric. If your oven is gas, the risk of igniting combustibles such as fuels, fabrics or plastic is much higher than with an electric model. You should always be very cautious when using a gas stove and ample ventilation should be available while using it.
Heat Damage
Another issue to consider is the heat you will be exposing your clothing to. High temperatures can damage the material, the colors and fabric of the clothing and eventually lead to the breakdown of synthetic fibers. The fabrics in most clothing are not normally designed to withstand high heat.
Fire Hazard
Finally, any type of oven can potentially cause a fire due to the presence of lint, oil and other combustibles that may be clinging to the clothing. For this reason, it is essential to make sure the oven is properly ventilated and free of any flammable objects.
In conclusion, it is best to stick with traditional drying methods such as air-drying, tumble drying or drying outside in the sun for your clothes, rather than risking fire or damaging clothing with the heat of an oven. Taking the time to properly dry clothes can not only help save money from potential fire or water damage but also help preserve the clothes for longer.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s:
- Air-dry, line-dry, or sun-dry clothes which are suitable.
- Keep the oven properly ventilated.
- Avoid putting fabric with lint, oil, or other combustibles while using the oven.
Don’ts:
- Don’t dry clothes in a gas oven.
- Don’t expose your clothes to high temperatures.
- Don’t forget to remove any flammable objects before turning on the oven.