5 Things You Should Never Air-Dry

Forgoing the dryer is more energy efficient, but you could do more harm than good by air-drying these laundry items.

There are plenty of benefits to air-drying your clothes rather than tumbling them in the dryer. It’s the more economical and environmentally friendly option, plus it can help reduce wrinkles, static cling, and wear and tear. So, it’s the smarter way to dry your things, right? Well, sometimes the dryer is actually the more ideal method for certain fabrics.

Whether you’re already in the habit of air-drying your clothes or want to make it a new habit, knowing what to hang on a line or a rack and what to toss in the dryer is important. We’ve broken down the things you shouldn’t air dry—and why—along with the things you can air-dry with special considerations.

Related: 8 Things to Never Put in the Dryer

Factors to Consider Before Air-Drying

You already know the pros of air-drying, but what about the cons? Depending on your specific situation, some of them may be more applicable than others. Some downsides of air-drying include:

• It can encourage mold and mildew growth if items take too long to dry.
• Many materials stiffen if they’re left to air-dry too long.
• Dark farbics can fade if left to air-dry in the sun.
• Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside.
• Indoor air-drying takes up valuable space and can make the area that it’s in (the laundry room or elsewhere) look cluttered.
• Clothes and linens will take longer to dry which can, in turn, drag out the chore of doing laundry.

If you have space set aside inside the house or the time to monitor items, especially outdoors, and indoor or outdoor humidity levels are temperate, air-drying almost all of your laundered items shouldn’t be an issue. If that’s not the case, you’ll find a list of things you’re better off tumble drying.

Related: 7 Common Laundry Mistakes That Can Damage Clothes

Things You Shouldn’t Air-Dry

1. Denim

This one is a bit controversial, as experts generally say that air-drying or using a low heat or air-dry setting on the dryer is better for your jeans—but you might want to reconsider. Hear us out: Because denim is bulky, it can take a long time to air-dry. Denim jeans or shorts, for example, tend to become uncomfortably stiff if laid or hung to dry after going through the washing machine. So, if you’re worried about either, consider using low or no heat settings in the dryer instead of air-drying them. Besides, jeans are some of our most infrequently washed clothing items, so their time in the dryer should be minimal.

Related: Should You Put Jeans In the Dryer? Here’s What the Experts Say

2. Thick Cotton

Most lightweight cotton articles are fine to air-dry, but you should think twice about heavier cotton clothing such as sweatshirts, sweatpants, and even thicker t-shirts. That’s because, like denim, they’ll take longer to air-dry—which can be a hassle for you and cause a lingering musty smell. The same applies to sheets because, while you might love the fresh smell of cotton sheets on the clothesline, a thick flannel sheet set will take its sweet time to air-dry.

3. Polyester

Some synthetic materials, such as spandex, rayon, and nylon, are safer to air-dry, so their fibers stay intact. Polyester, however, tends to retain moisture and, like thick cotton, can take on a mildewy smell if it takes too long to air-dry. Instead, run anything made primarily of polyester on a medium heat setting in the dryer, which, as a bonus, will help remove wrinkles.

Related: How to Get Wrinkles Out of Polyester

4. Down-Filled Items

Items such as down comforters, pillows, and jackets should always be tumbled in the dryer (preferably with dryer balls or, in a pinch, tennis balls) until completely dry. If they’re left to air-dry, clumps of down can form, and they’ll not only look and feel lumpy, but residual dampness will attract mildew.

5. Blankets and Towels

Unsurprisingly, blankets and towels are on this list because they have something in common with everything else—their volume. Because they are heavy, they’ll take entirely too long to air-dry and won’t be as soft as if they took a tumble in the dryer.

Related: 13 Things You Should Never Put in the Washing Machine

Items That Should Only Be Air-Dried with Special Considerations

The following things are OK to be air-dried, but in most cases, you should avoid suspending them on a clothesline or a drying rack, as this can stretch out their shape. Instead, always lay these items flat if you air-dry them or follow their other special drying instructions.

Knitwear: Your cashmere and wool sweaters are too precious (and fragile) to risk a run through the dryer. But just like they should never be hung on a hanger, they also shouldn’t be hung to dry. Flatten them on a towel and gently flip them over after some time to completely dry them.

Silk: Heat can damage delicate fibers, so silk items should always be air-dried. Lay them flat on a clean towel and use another to lightly soak up excess moisture. Never leave silk to dry in direct sunlight, as it can cause colors to fade.

Leather and suede: It’s well known that water is leather and suede’s common enemy. So most things you own made of either material are likely treated at the dry cleaner, or you spot clean them at home. In the latter case, blot any wet spots with a soft cloth and leave the items to dry in a cool place.

Undergarments: Most pairs of underwear, especially cotton ones, are durable enough to run through the dryer. If they’re made of a delicate material, such as silk or lace, or worried that the elastic will stretch out, air-drying them is the better choice. Also, bras can lose shape in the dryer, so they can air-dry beside the rest of your undergarments. However, to keep their shapes, lay them flat to dry thoroughly before putting them away.

Related: 16 Laundry Hacks That Make Wash Day So Much Easier

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