Can I Put Soaking Wet Clothes in the Dryer?
You woke up to the sound of rain pounding on my window and cursed yourself for not bringing in the clothes from outside, and there was no way you could make it to my interview on time if you didn’t dry off soon. Then suddenly, it hits you, can I put soaking wet clothes in the dryer?
So, what will you do, let that soaking wet clothes ruin your day, or is it time to explore your dryer’s true capacity? What will it be? In this article, we will teach you how to properly dry wet clothes without risking any damage.
Can I Put Soaking Wet Clothes in the Dryer?
Most people know that you shouldn’t put sopping wet clothes in the dryer because they’ll take forever to dry. But if you need them to be dry in a hurry, is it okay to break that rule? In this post, we’ll explore whether or not it’s safe to put wet clothes in the dryer and offer some tips for speeding up the drying process. Stay dry!
Once you’ve removed as much water as feasible, lay your clothes flat on a towel and roll them up. This will help to absorb any remaining water.
What Will Happen If You Put Soaking Wet Clothes in the Dryer?
Soaked Clothes May Not Get Dry
The first problem with placing a soaking wet blanket or cloth in the dryer is that they may not ever get dry. Why? Your dryer is made to dry your clothes in a certain amount of time and a certain amount of moisture. However, if your clothes are soaking wet, your dryer might struggle to get those clothes dry. In some instances, you may have to dry your clothes twice.
Wet Clothes Can Develop a Mildew Smell
When you put wet clothes in the dryer, your clothes retain excess moisture, they can smell musty or even begin to develop mildew. It’s no fun to smell like mildew. Further, they may not be completely dried when you take them out. Additionally, if there is too much water inside the machine, it can cause damage to the dryer itself.
Wrinkles May Form on Soaking Wet Clothes
Soaking wet clothes in the dryer can cause wrinkles to form on the clothes. This is because the clothes are not given enough time to dry completely, which can result in the fabric becoming wrinkled. Additionally, if the clothes are not dried properly, it can lead to damage to the fabric, such as shrinkage.
Drying Soaking Wet Clothes Take Extra Time and Energy
When you put soaking wet clothes in the dryer, you’re asking for trouble. The extra moisture will cause your clothes to take longer to dry and may even ruin them. Extra energy means extra power, which leads to a bigger sum of money at the end of the month. For people using electric dryers instead of gas dryers, the energy bill sum may reach sky high.
Early Machine Damage May Occur
Soaking wet blankets and waterlogged clothes ruin the washing machines and clothes dryers. The excess water will cause the clothes to shrink, stretch, or even tear. If there is too much moisture in the dryer, it can easily start a fire. The lint trap will be unable to catch all of the water, and it will eventually start to build up and overheat.
So, putting soaking wet clothes in the dryer is a bad idea. Now, let’s see what can prevent clothing damage and dry your clothes safely.
How to Safely Dry Soaking Wet Clothes in the Dryer
Here are a few tips for drying your soaking wet clothes in the dryer:
Take Caution Not to Overload the Dryer
This can cause clothing damage and increase drying time. When drying clothes, it is important to be mindful of how much you are putting in the dryer at one time. Too much clothing can overload the machine, causing clothes to become damaged and take longer to dry. Additionally, it is important to be cautious around the dryer when drying wet clothes – avoid leaving anything flammable near the machine.
Remove Excess Water
Start by wringing out extra water as much as possible before placing it in the dryer. If your washing machine is alright, it’s supposed to provide you with damp clothes instead of soggy clothes. However, you can take a clean, dry towel and fold the wet cloth with it. Folding the clothes with a clean, dry towel can help absorb moisture and speed up the drying process.
Use the Low or Delicate Setting on Your Dryer
Set the clothes dryer on a low or delicate spin cycle. A higher setting spin cycle will just cause your clothes to shrink or damage them further. Use a cool-down spin cycle or air-dry cycle if your dryer has one. This will help prevent shrinkage. This ensures that they get cleaned without being damaged by harsh rubbing against each other while in contact with water!
Check Your Clothing Labels for Specific Drying Instructions
Many clothes have specific instructions on how to dry them, and it’s important to follow these instructions to prevent damage to the clothing. When clothes are wet, they can stretch and shrink, and this can cause the fabric to tear or lose its shape. Additionally, wet clothes can also cause the dryer to overheat, potentially damaging both the dryer and the clothes.
Remove Items from the Dryer Promptly
When clothes are wet, they can take a long time to dry. Dryers are made to dry damp clothes, not clothes that are soaking wet. Soaking wet clothes can be even slower to dry and can damage the clothing if they are left in the dryer for too long. To avoid this, it is best to remove wet clothes from the dryer as soon as they are done drying, wet clothes can mildew if left in the dryer for too long.
You should also check your clothes periodically to make sure they’re not getting too dry–if they are, you can always throw them in the dryer for a few more minutes.
How to Dry Soaking Wet Clothes without Dryer?
Hang Clothes Outside to Dry
If you’re looking to save on energy bills, one way to do so is to not use the dryer. If you have clothes that are soaking wet, hang them outside to dry. The sun and fresh air will help them to dry quickly. Make sure to avoid putting them in direct sunlight, as this could cause them to fade.
Hang Clothes on a Drying Rack
If you have very wet clothes, the best option is to hang them on a drying rack. This will help to prevent any damage to the clothes and will also help them to dry more quickly.
Use a Hairdryer
To speed up the drying process, use a hairdryer or fan. Make sure to keep the hairdryer moving so that it doesn’t burn or damage the fabric of your clothes.
Put Clothes Inside an Oven
As absurd as it may sound, it’s actually a better choice. If you can wring out all the water, you can dry clothes almost instantly. It’s quite a bit unusual but not foreign to those who wear dry clothes almost every day.
What Do You Do If Your Clothes Are Soaking Wet After Washing?
If you still get super wet clothes after washing, the first thing you should do is put them in the tumble dryer on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. This will help to remove some of the water from the fabric.
If you don’t have a tumble dryer, you can try hanging your clothes outside in direct sunlight. Another way to remove water from clothes is to run them through an additional rinse cycle in the washing machine.
You can also try adding a cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle, which can help to draw out moisture. Once you’ve removed as much water as possible, you can finish drying your clothes in the dryer on low heat or air dry them.
Can I Put Soaking Wet Clothes in the Dryer If Some of Them Are Colored and Some of Them Are White?
You’re basically asking, can you dry whites and colors together? According to the experts at Hanes, you should always separate the different types of clothes when you are drying them in the dryer so that they don’t end up discolored.
This is because colored clothes can bleed onto white clothes and ruin them. Therefore, if you want to be safe, you should not dry whites and colors together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take soaking wet clothes to dry?
It can take a few hours for clothes to dry when they’re completely soaked. In general, the more saturated the fabric is with water, the longer it will take to dry. If you need the clothes to dry sooner, you can try using a hairdryer or putting them in the sun.
Can you put clothes straight from the washer to the dryer?
You can put clothes straight from washer to dryer, but it’s not recommended. It’s better to first air-dry your clothes, so they don’t shrink in the dryer or get damaged.
Is it OK to leave clothes in the dryer overnight?
Leaving clothes in the dryer overnight can actually damage them, as the heat will continue to work on them even after you’ve turned it off. This can cause shrinkage, wrinkles, and even color loss. To make sure your clothes come out looking their best, remove them from the dryer as soon as they’re done.
How can I dry my clothes indoors in the winter?
To dry wet clothes indoors in the winter, you can hang them to dry, use a drying rack or clotheshorse, and place a fan near your clothesline or drying rack; if you have a clothesline outside, use it on a sunny day. Sunlight can help to naturally disinfect clothes and get rid of any musty smells. You should avoid drying clothes on excessively windy days and follow the care instructions on your clothing labels.
Will spraying fabric softener on clothes make them wet enough to need to be put in the dryer?
Yes, spraying fabric softener on clothes can make them slightly damp. However, it is not enough to warrant putting them in the dryer. It’s best to air-dry the clothes for a few minutes before wearing or storing them. Spray fabric softener on clothes carefully to avoid over-saturating them.
And It’s a Wrap
Soaking wet clothes can be a real pain, but with these tips, you’ll be able to get them dry in no time! Just make sure not to damage your clothes by using too much heat or drying them for too long. Who has time for that?
