How to Avoid Clothes From Wrinkling in the Dryer?

Have you experienced going out with creased clothes just because you ran out of time? If you want to hack the laundry game, this guide can help you avoid clothes from wrinkling in the dryer.

From its root cause to some helpful tips, we’ve got it all laid out. So wait no further, and let’s get started!

Reasons Why Clothes Wrinkle In The Dryer

Reasons Why Clothes Wrinkle In The Dryer

Before knowing how to deal with laundry wrinkles, it is best to understand first what causes them. So here are the four common reasons to be aware of:

  • Incorrect Wash Cycle: Are you familiar with the wash cycles in your washer? Most settings follow the usual steps of washing, rinsing, and spinning. But remember, not every one of them provides the optimal cool-down time. A faster transition to cool down can increase the chances of wrinkled laundry.
  • Incorrect Temperature: Do you throw all your clothes in the dryer without considering the garment fabric? If you do, then you might want to re-sort each piece. Cotton, linen, and rayon are some types that wrinkle easily, especially when the temperature is too hot.
  • Incorrect Wash Load: Anything more than or less than the required wash load of your washer setting can cause wrinkling. Overloading can compress the clothes and minimize the effect of washing and drying. On the other hand, a fewer load needs additional similar pieces to ensure proper tumbling.
  • Overdrying: Washing machines give us more time to do other tasks while we wait for them to finish a cycle. However, there are occasions when we forget about it, resulting in overdried laundry inside the washer. And you know what this means – more wrinkled laundry that calls for ironing.

Now that you’re familiar with the root-causing problem of wrinkled clothes, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Are you ready to take on a new laundry routine minus the help of an iron?

To make it easier, we’ve divided it into four parts – from preparing the laundry to getting rid of stubborn wrinkles. So, no need to get overwhelmed with the whole process!

Sorting the Clothes

Sorting the Clothes

As tempting as it is to skimp on this step, it should not be overlooked. Imagine this: your favorite piece is dried but is still rolling in the washer because the others are still moist. Not only will it turn out wrinkled, but likely to have micro damage. So for the love of clothes, don’t skip this part.

Prepare your soiled clothes by sorting them out based on color, fabric type, and weight. As a rule of thumb: whites go with whites and darks with darks.

While it’s the general rule, it is also best to consider the lightness and heaviness of the fabric. So here are other notes to remember when sorting clothes:

  • Avoid combining delicate clothes, like silk and woolen, with non-like materials.
  • Heavy denim should be separated from light tops as their weight can compress other clothing.
  • Shake out each piece and fold it properly before throwing it in the laundry bin.

It can sound overwhelming if time is into account, but there’s a technique to make this quicker.

Designate laundry bins depending on the laundry sets you want to load your washer. You could label it with whites, darks, and so on. After soiling the clothes, place them immediately in the correct bin so you don’t have to segregate them later.

For the delicates, put them straight in a protective washing bag. That way, you’re reminded that it needs more care when washing.

Loading and Running the Dryer

Loading and Running the Dryer

Now that you’ve sorted out the clothes, it’s time to place them in the washer. But before we delve into the load and cycle, we’ll share one important technique first.

Grab a piece from the bin, shake it out, and ensure no folded parts. That way, you can lessen the wrinkles before the cycle even starts. If you’re not using a combo washer, you can do the same technique before placing the clothes in the dryer.

Indeed, a small step, but it works wonders every time in our laundry!

Load Quantity

As we said earlier, too much or less can cause wrinkling. The quantity should base on the fabric type, not the pile in your bin.

If you’re keen on knowing the appropriate load for your washer, it is best to read its manual. But if you don’t have time to do it, here’s a general guideline to follow:

  • Everyday clothes, like cotton, can occupy a drum full but not too packed.
  • Synthetics, like polyester, should not occupy more than half a full of the drum.
  • Delicate fabrics, like silk and woolen, should not occupy more than one-third full of the drum.

If you’re doing this on a separate washer, take the time to loosen the clothes again. Shake it to remove the excess water and reduce the wrinkling obtained from the washer.

Choosing the Right Cycle

Dryer

Once you’ve shaken the clothes and loaded the washer, it’s time to run the laundry. With more than enough settings in a modern washer, there are two cycles you can choose from:

  • Delicate or hand-wash cycle
  • Permanent press cycle

The delicate wash cycle is like hand washing because of its slow spin and low temperature. As the name suggests, it works best with delicate garments, like silk sleepwear or lingeries.

If the laundry is not too delicate, you can use a permanent press cycle to remove wrinkles and creases. It runs in a low spin and provides warm water to wash and cool water to rinse.

Removing Clothes from the Dryer

Removing Clothes from the Dryer

Tick-tock, tick-tock! Wrinkles are racing when you forget your clothes long in the dryer. And if you’ve experienced this a couple of times, you know how bad it gets. So if you want to end these troubles, better to set a reminder on your phone.

As soon as the cycle ends, pick a piece and give it a good snap to smoothen the fabric. Then, fold it nicely before placing it in the basket.

Once you’ve collected all the laundry, put them in the clothes hanger and ensure no seams, sleeves, or collar folds. When dried, hang your easily wrinkled clothes in the closet. Then, fold the other properly and keep it organized in the drawer.

Getting Rid of Pesky Wrinkles

If you’ve accidentally overdried your clothes and caused more wrinkles, here are some ways to deal with it.

First technique: Get a damp washcloth. Throw it in the dryer along with the wrinkled garment. Then, tumble it dry for about five minutes. Once done, hang it again to completely dry.

Second technique: Lay the clothing on a flat surface. Then spray it with water or use a wrinkle releaser. Straighten the wrinkle with the palm of your hands by pulling it taut. Once satisfied, hang it again to dry.

Fabrics That Should Not Go In High Heat Dryer

Fabrics That Should Not Go In High Heat Dryer

We mentioned a couple of fabrics and the appropriate dryer cycle setting a while ago. But to elucidate, here are four types you don’t want to place under a high-temperature dryer.

  • Spandex
  • Leather
  • Silk
  • Knitted fabric

In general, high temperature causes clothes to wrinkle. But aside from this, it can slowly damage the clothes fiber. Low heat drying from the delicate setting takes longer but keeps your pieces intact. The permanent press cycle, conversely, uses medium heat that works well with any colored fabric.

Additional Tips for Wrinkle Prevention

Additional Tips for Wrinkle Prevention

We’ve covered pretty much everything about keeping your clothes wrinkle-free after drying. But we’d also love to share other tips to keep you in your A-game.

  1. Add fabric softener or dryer sheets: Aside from the incredible scent, fabric softener also helps reduce wrinkles in clothes. Add it before starting the washer, and let it work its magic. Alternatively, you can place a dryer sheet before starting a dryer cycle.
  2. Set the appropriate temperature and drying time: Remember only to use warm or cold water for your laundry. But for optimal results, it’s best to use the latter. For the drying time, light clothes dry faster, while heavier fabrics need more time to finish.
  3. Avoid overdrying: Not because you had a successful run with your dryer means you’re safe. Drying clothes under the sun for a long time squeezes the fabrics and reverts their wrinkles. So keep an eye on your laundry if you don’t want the iron calling your name.
  4. Use drying racks or clotheslines: Hang drying is the best way to dry your clothes and prevent wrinkles. It is also recommended for bed sheets that are big enough to fit in a hanger. Very old-fashioned, but it works!
  5. Store it properly: Avoid overstuffing your wardrobe. Instead, fold your clothes neatly and use an organizer. For pants and work clothes, provide enough space to hang them so you don’t have to iron them before use. Lastly, prepare your clothes beforehand so you don’t have to rummage your rack.

Conclusion

It is possible not to use an iron to straighten your clothes. All thanks to a thoughtful process to help prevent clothes from wrinkling in the dryer. And although it might take time for you to get accustomed to, it is fail-safe. So, start conditioning yourself with discipline, and the rest will follow.

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