6 Things You Shouldn’t Put in the Clothes Dryer

The next time you feel like taking a whole load of laundry straight to the dryer, don’t be too quick to throw your clothes on and leave. Not all clothes can withstand high heat (or even low heat) tumble dry without shrinking, stretching or splitting.

As if that wasn’t scary enough, some dryer practices can put you on the hook for expensive dryer repairs, with average repair costs ranging from $100 to $430, according to HomeAdvisor. Installing a new dryer can run from $300 to $2,000, according to the same source.

Worse, certain items can break down while drying, forming and collecting lint that blocks airflow, causes overheating and creates a fire hazard, warns the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

You don’t have to learn your drying lessons the hard way, though. Take the following items to keep them out of your dryer.

Clothing contaminated with flammable materials

Putting fabrics contaminated with flammable substances such as gasoline, alcohol or finishing oils in the dryer may cause them to catch fire inside the dryer drum – even if they have already been rinsed in the washing machine – according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Even after washing, traces of oil and other flammable substances can remain on clothes or rags, releasing vapors that can ignite or explode when exposed to high temperatures in the dryer.

Rather than risking a house fire, hang clothing contaminated with flammable materials outside to dry. If you like, you can hang them in a well-ventilated room, away from heat sources.

Bath mats made of rubber

Rubber bath mats can crack, leave pieces of rubber and fabric in the dryer and “cause damage” to the drying process, says Scott Thomas, director of services for Dryer Vent Wizard.

“The heat causes the rubber to disintegrate, and the pieces that can’t get through the lint screen break off, go through the engine and into the exhaust line,” said Thomas.

Meanwhile, the large pieces of rubber give lint and other vent materials something to grip onto, creating a snowball effect that grows and grows.

The rubber on a shower mat can start to crack as soon as you start drying and get caught in the dryer’s internal parts, like the motor, warns Craig Anderson, owner of Appliance Analysts, an online appliance maintenance and advice service.

He notes that the engine is the most expensive part of the dryer to repair or replace.

Running shoes

Putting your running shoes in the dryer to dry after a rainy day run may seem like the quickest way to get ready for road, street or trail running. When it comes to drying running shoes, however, it’s best to resist the urge for quick results.

“Not only will your shoes take a beating as they hang around the dryer, but the heat can cause your shoes to shrink,” according to athletic shoe giant Nike. “Since a perfect fit makes the difference between a supported run and a painful one, you don’t want to risk a change in the shape or fit of your shoes.”

High heat can also damage the glue and other parts of the shoes that must be handled with care.

Even if you dry running shoes on low heat, in the dryer, in a zip-top bag or hanging inside the door, they won’t last long, Nike said.

Instead, Nike recommends running shoes to clean the surfaces first. After cleaning, loosen the shoes so they can breathe, remove the insoles and stuff each shoe with crumpled newspaper to absorb water and help keep their shape.

You can also dry running shoes by hooking them up to a floor or wall fan grill for a few hours.

Clothing that contains spandex

Don’t ruin your stretchy gym clothes, bras and swimwear by dropping them on high heat to dry.

“Spandex and other stretchy materials are great for wearing comfort, but often don’t do well in the dryer,” advises appliance maker Electrolux. “High temperatures can damage the material, break it and ruin the shape of your clothes.”

If you must dry spandex clothing quickly, Electrolux recommends drying it at the lowest temperature and removing the clothing while still wet.

Comforters and duvets

Large comforters and duvets often exceed the capacity of the dryer, forcing us to work harder and overheat, says Anderson. And repeatedly drying large, bulky items in a home dryer can cause the dryer to overheat and fail within six months, he said.

The easiest way to tell if a dryer is overworking is if you notice a burning smell, unusual blowing or other strange noises that the dryer doesn’t normally make, he says.

“If you hear anything that you think sounds weird, stop the cycle and make sure the dryer isn’t on overdrive,” says Anderson.

Better yet, take large comforters, duvets and thick blankets to your local laundromat to be washed in large washers and dryers.

Clothes covered with pet hair

If you regularly put clothing, bedding or bedding covered in pet hair in the dryer, you could be in for an expensive repair. A dryer lint screen stops about 50% of lint and hair from getting through, says Thomas of Dryer Vent Wizard.

He says: “These things start to build up, causing the engine to overheat.”

Hair and fur combined with lint can be major obstructions in the exhaust line, reducing efficiency and creating a fire hazard.

“Fires can occur when lint accumulates in the dryer vent or vent,” according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. “Lint can block airflow, cause overheating and cause fires in some dryers.”

Pet hair on wet clothes can also drain your gas or electric bill by taking longer to dry. Dryers are designed to remove moisture from clothes, so if wet pet hair sticks to the fabric after being washed in the washing machine, the dryer will have a hard time drying the clothes.