Can You Put Wet Clothes in the Dryer?
It is not recommended to put wet clothes in the dryer. Even though it may seem like a faster option to dry clothes in the dryer, wet clothes in the dryer can be damaging to your clothes and the dryer itself. There are a few risks when drying wet clothes in the dryer, and here are some of the biggest risks:
1. Damage to Clothes
Putting wet clothes in the dryer can cause significant damage to clothes. This is because the wet clothes will have a large amount of weight when spinning in the dryer. This weight can cause distortion and damage to the fabric. Additionally, zippers, fasteners, and other trimmings can cause the fabric to tear. This can make the clothes look significantly worse than when you first put them in the dryer.
2. Creates Too Much Heat
When wet clothes are put into the dryer, it creates a lot of heat which can damage the dryer’s interior parts. If clothes are put into the dryer when they are still wet, the dryer needs to work harder to generate enough heat to take out the moisture from the fabric. This can make the motor overheat, and injure the dryer significantly more than usual.
3. Causes Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew can form easily on wet clothes when they are trapped in a warm, humid environment – like in a dryer. If the clothes are wet and dried in the dryer, the warm temperature will trap in water molecules and create the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow.
Tips to Follow to Dry Clothes Safely
- Hang the clothes to dry: If you want to reduce the chances of clothes from getting damaged in the dryer, you should hang the clothes to dry. This allows the fabric to air-dry without the use of heat or extra humidity.
- Use a lower setting in the dryer: If you’re going to use the dryer to dry your clothes, use a lower setting. Low-heat settings are the safest way to dry clothes in the dryer, as they generate the least amount of heat.
- Use a damp cloth to remove wrinkles: If you want to remove wrinkles from clothes, use a damp cloth to steam the fabric. This will help relax the fabric and help remove wrinkles without any heat.
In conclusion, it is not a good idea to put wet clothes in the dryer. Even though it seems like a quicker option to put wet clothes in the dryer, the risks for damage to clothes and the dryer are too high. It is better to hang the clothes to dry or use a lower setting on the dryer to help reduce the risks.