To optimize the efficiency of your dryer and save money over time, it’s important to avoid common mistakes. If you’ve ever found your clothes still damp after an hour in the dryer or dealt with shrunken or wrinkled clothes, you may be making some of these errors.
Fortunately, most of these issues are easily solvable, and I’ll be sharing some solutions with you in this post. Avoiding these 9 common dryer mistakes can help you solve your dryer dilemmas:
Not Using Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls are an eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets that can speed up drying times, reduce wrinkles and static, and save you money on energy.
Overfilling or Underfilling the Dryer
Fabric expands as it dries, so oversized loads may not tumble correctly while undersize loads can clump together and waste energy. The solution is to split large loads into two smaller loads and add a few lint-free towels to smaller loads to avoid clumping.
Not Taking Advantage of Residual Heat
Doing laundry in batches instead of doing one load a day means you can take advantage of the residual heat left in the dryer from the previous load, resulting in faster drying.
Letting Clothes Sit in the Dryer
Leaving clothes in the dryer too long can cause wrinkles to set in and clothes to shrink. Remove laundry promptly after the drying cycle ends, and shake out items and lay them flat until you’re ready to fold them.
Over-drying
Excessive heat from the dryer can damage clothes and linens, causing yellowing, wrinkles, shrinking, loss of elasticity, and textural changes. Set the timer on your dryer conservatively, and embrace the damp dry setting.
Not Cleaning the Lint Trap After Each Load
Clogged lint traps can cause your dryer to overheat and create a fire hazard, and also make your dryer less efficient, causing clothes to take longer to dry and using up more energy.
Not Cleaning the Dryer
Regular deep cleanings, including washing the lint trap with soap and water, help prevent fires and keep your machine working efficiently.
Not Understanding All of Your Dryer’s Functions
Take the time to read your dryer’s user manual to make sure you’re using all of its useful functions.
Opening the Dryer Door Too Often
To increase efficiency, avoid opening the dryer door after starting a cycle to keep the hot air trapped inside, as opening the door can cause the dryer drum to lose heat and add time to the drying cycle.
Check out our blog to learn more apartment living tips!
